With rent, bills, food shopping and going out, university comes with a lot of expenses you probably aren’t used to. Even with a student loan, it can sometimes be tricky to manage finances. The best way to make some extra money is a part time job alongside your studies. Here are some tips and tricks to land you your job.
Start Early
If you’re starting university next year, the best advice is to get a job whilst you’re still at home. In a university city most jobs will see lots of applicants and the competition will be tough. Already having some experience will put you above the rest and give you a better chance of being hired.
Look at University Jobs
Often your university will be looking for students to take on roles. This could be anything from working the SU bar to helping out on open days. The best thing about university jobs is that they often pay above minimum wage and are more understanding of you university schedule. They are also more likely to employ people without any previous experience.
Apply for Everything
Although you may have a certain job role in mind, when it comes to part time work often you have to take whatever you can get. Waiting for a certain company or certain role to begin hiring could leave you penniless for a while. Apply for any part time retail, hospitality or office jobs within your local area and see where you can land an interview. When the offers begin to come in, then you can afford to be more picky.
Perfect your CV
Your CV will be your employer’s first impression of you so you want to stand out. Include all of your relevant experience, skills and qualifications and make sure it is presented well. Double check your spelling and grammar too as the little things make a big impression.
Prepare for Interview
Make sure you prepare well for interviews. Do your research about the company as they may ask what you know about them. Practise some common interview questions and have your own questions in mind to ask them at the end of the interview. If it is a chain company, take a look on their Indeed site as often previous employees will post the questions they were asked to help you prepare. Get a good nights sleep and choose a professional looking outfit. No need to turn up in suit, but looking smart will give a good first impression.