Getting a part time job during your studies can have many advantages.
Listen to one of our students talking about their experience:
With over half our students looking for work, you need to plan how you will get the job you want.
First of all, your CV or resume. We have some ideas for laying it out, but remember it’s a personal document and should reflect you. Whatever you do, spelling, punctuation and grammar must be impeccable, so get a friend or someone you trust to go over it. Try to get a personal statement in, which should reflect your key skills and attributes that you are offering.
When applying for a specific role, write a covering letter to go with your CV explaining why you think your skills match the role profile and what attributes you will bring to the role. Make sure you address it to the right person – sometimes this is on the job advert, or you may need to do some research on their website. Failing that, you can address it to the HR Manager.
Your first search should be on our Current Vacancies page. These positions are aimed at students and our employers understand your academic commitments so are usually flexible around your studies. Bookmark local jobs pages and company websites and set up alerts so you are the first to know about any new jobs.
Research local companies and see whether your hobbies or interests match their business. You can use this as a reason for contacting them, and make sure you tell them exactly what you can offer them.
If you have worked for a large chain, contact the local store as they often will have an opening for someone who understands their needs and has been trained already. This works well for vacations, as you can work for the same company in different locations.
Some smaller businesses will put a card in the window asking for CVs. Go in and introduce yourself whilst handing over your CV. Ask for an interview there and then.
Even if a business is not advertising it’s worth going in and asking if they are likely to have anything coming up. Sometimes they just haven’t got round to putting the advert up.
Scams
HMRC is warning students who have a part time job of scams. Be wary of texts and phone calls claiming to be from HMRC, asking you to download software or offering refunds. HMRC will never offer refunds by text or email. For more information visit the HMRC website which offers guidance to students. If in doubt, do not respond to any calls, texts or emails claiming to be from HMRC and contact HMRC directly through gov.uk.
Scam Jobs:
Becoming more popular, these look like proper jobs but can have a serious financial impact on you. If a company asks for money up front, it’s likely to be bad news. You shouldn’t take any job that asks you to buy goods online, or transfer money in another way. Never give your bank details to anyone, unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Scams can include asking you to set up a bank account and passing the details to someone else – they can then take the full overdraft facility out, leaving you to pay it back. Or they can promise a cheque or BACS payment and ask you to forward it – if it hasn’t fully cleared from your bank account, and they then withdraw the transfer, you could be liable to pay the outstanding money.
If you are called for an interview, there are some things you should be mindful of. See our interview tips.