Temperatures are rising, days are getting longer and kids are dying to get out of the classroom! This can only mean one thing: Summer is just around the bend. It's time to start planning trips, summer camps, and summer jobs.

Despite the fact that school won't end in most places for another few months, it's still a good time to start thinking about summer work. The timeframe for hiring can be as long as a month, so waiting until school is officially out isn't a good idea. Not sure where to start? Try these four tips to jumpstart a summer job search for yourself or a young adult.

Wondering if it will be your last day on the job every day is emotionally taxing. Trying to be productive, let alone happy, with the constant threat of job loss is an impossibility. On the other hand, security in a position can do wonders for your morale. Sadly, though, that goal is out of reach for many Americans. A recent Pew Forum study shows that 40% of Americans fear they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months.

That's bad news both for companies and their employees. Workers who worry about their job security are less likely to be effective. At the same time, low job security tends to exacerbate the effects of work-related stress, resulting in poor sleep, feelings of hopelessness and fatigue. In short, it's exhausting to worry about your job constantly, and when you're exhausted, your work suffers.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve your position at work. While they won't fix a toxic workplace or calm an easily angered manager, they can make you feel better about your skills and more secure in your position. Try these four steps to boost your value to your employer!