Even though it might not seem like it now, summer is creeping up again. That means one thing: I have to start applying for summer jobs. It’s a process I’ve always hated—starting with crafting a CV that somehow balances truth and real accomplishments with just the right amount of humility and self-promotion. Then comes the actual application process, which is even worse. Every company seems to use a different website, each with its own set of impossible-to-navigate requirements. They want a CV, a cover letter, and then ask 50 extra questions—questions that could all be answered just by reading my CV or cover letter.

But hey, better get started.

After surfing Indeed, I quickly come to the conclusion that there are a lot of summer jobs to choose from and I can’t apply for all of them. So what do I actually look for in a job?

The basic requirements are firstly a salary, (my future CV is not important enough to work for free). Then I need a job pretty close to somewhere I can live, meaning Gothenburg or someplace fairly close to Lund. And maybe most importantly not too hard of a job, I don’t want to return to school after break needing another break. Working our way up Maslow’s pyramid I would also like the job to be in line with my studies.

Maybe I can aim even higher, my time is important and I would like to spend it well. Why not aim for the stars? High ambitions have never been a bad thing, right?

With this new insight, I head back to Indeed and filter for internships and immediately one job stands out, Assistant director for a large utilities company in my hometown. Seems like a match made in heaven, so what are they asking?

Do you like innovation, leadership, and energy? Yes yes yes
Pay at market level for a newly examined engineer. Yes!
Leadership experience. Well, kind of. I was in charge of a bar at a cafe when I was 17.

Then comes the first tricky hurdle: To fit this role we think that you are done with your bachelor’s and have started on your master’s. – “We think”, doesn’t sound non-negotiable.

While continuing my readings, I see that the recruitment process is quite extensive, ending with a presentation of a business case in Gothenburg the 30th of April, but that’s Valborg and anyone in Lund knows that’s simply not something you miss.
Hmmm, getting the job of assistant director seems like a lot of work even though I was looking forward to managing myself. Well, well that might have been to fly a bit too close to the sun… Let’s look for something more suitable.

Continuing my search I stumble upon an Internship at Goldman Sachs in private wealth management

“Private Wealth Management (PWM) secures, develops and manages relationships with high net worth individuals, their families, family offices and foundations.”

This sounds interesting! Helping people get really rich seems a lot like maximizing shareholder value and I think that’s what my education is preparing me for.

Proficient to advanced skills with MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) That will be a breeze after all the Excel projects I’ve had to turn in.
Swedish native language skills. Check,
But wait.
Strong ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Doesn’t sound very relaxing

Well, I guess someone else can manage these competing deadlines. I move on looking for that hidden gem.

Another ad attracts my attention: Lantmännen internship in property management.
Wow, a company I really respect and the role could fit decently.
One year left on my studies. Yes
Speak English. Of course
Interested in the company and preferably some connection to the countryside. Definitely
The application period closes the 26/1
It can’t all be perfect, so I send an email to see if they will accept a late application.
Score, they do! I submit the CV, cover letter, and complete the digital tests with decent results. This was it! Maybe getting a job wasn’t so hard after all.

Oh, an email from Lantmännen. Hi Otto we are looking over each application carefully, but since we have 1158 applications we will get back to you in a couple of weeks.

OK. I take a walk to the corridor kitchen, find some dry cookies and coffee to comfort me. After 15 minutes of contemplating, I am back on track. If I am not the one and only chosen by Lantmännen, I might need a backup plan. I take another cookie and think. Maybe I could work in a warehouse this summer?

Warehouse worker at Swedish Match
A great company, I use their products at least 10 times a day and I’ve heard that if you work there you get one can of snus of your choosing every working day, it’s the perfect match.
So what are their criteria?
Needs to be over 18. Yup.
Finished high school. Check
Speak Swedish and English. Also check

This might actually be a good fit and I can’t count the times I’ve imagined working a manual job with minimal thinking instead of finishing that essay which always seems due. But then comes the inevitable hurdle: They work three shifts, meaning I either have to work from six in the morning to two in the afternoon, two til ten, or ten til six. I have always hated early mornings and going to bed early but working from two til ten sacrifices the whole day and I’ve seen how my friends have been doing after working the night shift for a couple of weeks.

More coffee and contemplation.

Maybe I should just call my old boss up? After all, I guess there are worse summer jobs. I mean serving drinks and cleaning tables at a nice restaurant in the Gothenburg archipelago to happy tourists is….if not awesome so at least OK. More than OK actually.

I’m gonna have to work my whole life either way. So why be such a go-getter this summer? Maybe the right call is just to take the job that will give me a nice summer instead of prematurely hopping into the hamster wheel.

And it might just be there – during the long beautiful summer nights on the wonderful island with nice guests and funny colleagues, that I actually will find the Holy Grail. Whatever that is to me.