If you’re a student (and especially if you’re going through midterms or summatives), you’re likely looking forward to the break the warmer months will bring. However, summer vacation is also a great opportunity for work experience – not only to make some money, but also to gain valuable connections and references for future employment. If you’re interested in both of those things, spots fill up fast, so it’s never too early to start your summer job hunt.

Here’s a step-by-step process on how to find a summer job.

1) Figure out what you want.

What kind of position are you looking for? Moreover, what kind of position are you eligible for? Consider both your past qualifications and what field you’d potentially like to get into. It might be difficult to get a summer job that’s directly related to your career goals, but if you do find one, it’s one more thing to put on your resume. (For example, if you’re thinking about a career in medicine, it might be a good idea to check out receptionist or data entry positions at a clinic.)

2) Revisit your resume.

If you’ve been busy with schoolwork, it may have been a while since you dug up that old resume, so make sure all of your qualifications are up to date. If you’re planning on applying to multiple jobs (which is what you should be doing!), you should create different versions depending on the position you’re looking for. Cover letters are usually helpful, but not all employers require them; check that out on a case-by-case basis.

3) Do your research.

Keeping in mind Step 1 (what you want) and Step 2 (what you have to offer), check out the jobs that would be realistically available to you. If you don’t have a lot of experience, you may not be able to aim too high, but it never hurts to ask whether there are positions available for less experienced candidates (or, specifically, for students). Some good resources for job hunting are Jobpostings.ca, Talentegg, Workopolis, Service Canada or even Kijiji, as long as you do a background check on the employer.

4) Apply en masse.

Unfortunately, not every employer you contact will call you back (wouldn’t that be nice!). Don’t be afraid to apply for too many positions—in fact, apply to as many things as you can or as you are eligible for. This is going to take a lot of work, but put effort into writing emails, tweaking your resume, and following up for various positions. The worst thing that could happen is that you don’t get the job. Don’t get discouraged: you just have to keep at it until you’re rewarded.

5) Land an interview.

With hard work and a little bit of luck, you’ll hopefully be called in for an interview. Be your charming, professional, and qualified self, and you’ll have a summer job in no time. Best of luck!