Once upon a time, hunting for a summer job was as easy as a walk on the beach. The problem was less about finding work than about which opportunity to choose. Now, as the economy continues to struggle, it’s not quite as easy, but with a little diligence and creative thinking, you can find the perfect gig for extra spending cash this summer.

Do friends and family know you are looking for a job? If they don’t know you are searching, they won’t know to tell you when they see a “Help Wanted” sign or hear of the perfect opening. Do you have an uncle that owns a landscaping business or a second cousin who runs a summer camp? Don’t be shy about asking folks you know if they will hire you for the summer – they may be looking for seasonal help.

You need to do more than pound the pavement to find a summer job. While you should be looking for “Help Wanted” signs while you’re out and about, the Internet is full of resources. Your city’s Craigslist can be a great place to start, though be extra careful to avoid scams and shady job listings. Also, monitor social media sites like Twitter or Facebook, since many local companies turn there first when listing a job.

Of course, there are the usual tips, such as dressing the part for the interview and having your resume and references lined up. You may also want to be prepared for a credit check. Employers often check credit scores to help them determine whether job candidates are trustworthy and reliable. You can never be sure which of your 3 credit scores an employer will pull, so it’s wise to view all 3 at FreeScore.com.

Don’t wait too long to start your summer job search – or check your 3 Credit Scores.  Happy job hunting!

Do you have summer job search tips? Leave them in the comments!