How to Fill Up Your Free Time and Make Some Money While You're At It

or, How to Find a Job.

1. Decide what kind of job you'd like. Like cooking? Try out for a line chef position in a restaurant. Love books? Ask if the local library needs any help shelving.

2. Find out where is hiring. CraigsList.Org has a lot of job listings, as do some other sites. You could also walk around places and try to scope out some "help wanted" signs.
2a. Determine whether you can get there to apply and/or work. If you don't have a car, this could be a slight problem if it's far away. But bikes are a lot cheaper and environmentally-friendly than cars, and you can always take the bus.

3. Rustle up some references. No, you cannot put your mom down, but the family friend you've known since you were about five is okay. Any previous employers or managers are even better. Write down their contact information (name, phone number, address, business name) on a separate piece of paper and take it with you.
3a. If you've had other jobs, be sure to write that information down too. You should have how long you worked there, the name, address, and phone number of the place, and the name of your manager.

4. Go apply! Make sure you are dressed well and don't have an earbud in when you ask for an application. When you are filling it out, try to keep your writing legible. Smile and say thank you when you give it back.

5. Wait about a week, and then call the place to see if they've had a chance to look it over. They might tell you that they've already filled the position, or that they want you to come in for an interview sometime soon.

6. Repeat, but don't wait to do so. Applying for many positions at many places in the same week gives you more chances for getting a positive callback.

How to Make a Good Impression at an Interview
1. Dress well. That means a nice shirt (possibly ironed), good shoes, and pants that, when pulled up to your waist, will stay there. Wear a belt if necessary.

2. Arrive on time or a little early.

3. DON'T SLOUCH. Sit up straight, and at least try to make it look like you're interested in what the interviewer is saying. Smiling helps, as does nodding and making eye contact. Do not tap your foot, twiddle your thumbs, play games on your phone/iPod, or ignore the other person.

4. Speak politely, and in complete sentences. Try not to say "um", "ah", "what?", "like", or "huh". You're a college student; try to act like you have something besides cigarette smoke between your ears.

Good Hunting!