A Guide to Getting a Part-Time Student Job - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

A Guide to Getting a Part-Time Student Job A part-time job is a great side activity for when you are studying. Although it may be tricky managing your time, there are plenty of benefits too! The experience on your CV will boost your future graduate applications, and the extra cash will definitely be worth it. Know What You Can Cope With     This is the most important thing to consider when thinking about getting a part-time job while at university. Although having some extra money in your pocket will make your life a bit easier, you must prioritise your degree Try and find a position that balances out your social life too there’s no point in having all that money if youve got no time to spend it! One good thing to do is try and get your timetable in advance; this is so you can see the hours you can work beforehand. So see if you can get a job that fits around your university lifestyle. How to Find a Student Job After working out what job you are looking for, there are plenty of ways to start your job search. Job portals allow you to search through all the best jobs in one place so you can find the right job for you. Check out local opportunities within your local student high street too; you never know what you might find on shop notice boards or pub windows. The Best Student Jobs What are the best jobs for students now? What about a job on campus, or a 10-hour week retail position? Finding a job that doesn’t expect you to cover everyones shifts last minute and to commute 2 hours is also something to watch out for.   These are a few of our recommendations: Tutoring   Tutoring is an option for anyone who has an interest in a subject and likes working with others. It is fully flexible as you can choose when and where you work, even from the comfort of your own home.   Campus Opportunities If you are at university, it is worth checking out the roles on campus. From bar staff or subject ambassador to being part of the university support team, there are plenty of options. The best bit is that you could work straight after lectures meaning you can make the most of your time. Get ahead of other students by applying before freshers week too! Event staff Are you not sure whether you will have enough time for a job? Joining an event team means you decide your working hours as you pick and choose the events to work at. The events will usually be local to your city or town, but depending on the company, they may be slightly further away. With this said travel costs are usually covered, making it the ideal part-time student position! The Application Process One of the most important points when applying to any job is to make sure you tailor your CV. If it is obvious that you have sent your CV to many employers, then they may not take a second glance over it, so make sure that isn’t yours! Also, double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes by asking a friend to proofread it before you send it off.   To help you in the application process, it is advised to clean up your social media presence. This doesn’t mean you have to purge all your social media accounts of all your posts and photos. Just make all your accounts private, so only your friends can see what you’re getting up to. Also, be sure to create a LinkedIn account! If you are called up for an interview, then congratulations. Make sure to look over your CV and the job to know exactly what you applied for! A top tip is to think of some questions to ask about beforehand. This means you are not stuck on the spot when asked questions, and it shows that you are passionate about the role! There are also other things to keep in mind such as what to wear and try to arrive earlier so that even with delays you are on time.   If you don’t hear back from a company within a suitable time frame, then you can always contact to see if they have any news. But, remember that rejection is something that everyone experiences, so don’t get disheartened, there are plenty of other suitable student jobs out there!   So, if you’re thinking about getting a job during your time at university, go for it! But be sure to act fast, many others will have the same idea good luck! Written by Rebecca Hart, an Online Marketer at StudentJob UK. If you are looking for a job but not sure where to start, then check out StudentJob. Our application tips will help you create an effective CV, cover letter and help you smash interviews!