If you are in the process of studying, then there is no better way to make your experience just that little bit better than having a little extra cash in your back pocket. Though of course, this money doesn’t grow on trees! Getting yourself a part-time job while studying is one of the best ways to help you finance your university lifestyle, while also gaining valuable work experience. 


So, how do you secure a part-time job? Check out this handy and concise guide for our top tips. 



Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

To start with, it may be tricky managing your time when you accept your first student job, but we have some advice to help! Firstly, work out the amount of time you can afford to spend working, this will help you determine the type of work that is suitable for you. 


You need to ensure that your degree is your priority, so before you agree to a part-time job, take the time to work out your schedule. This way, you can work out how many hours a week you can work and when. 


It isn’t all work though! Try to ensure you still have time for your social life too, as you need time to spend all your hard-earned cash.


The Top Three Student Jobs

What are the top student jobs for 2020? Things to think about when applying to student positions are how are you going to get there and what are the expectations. 


Campus Jobs

These are definitely great for students. Firstly, they work with students all year round, so they understand the pressures of deadlines and university holidays. There is also a wide range of jobs to choose from at every uni, the most popular, including subject ambassadors or bar staff at your student union. The best part is that in the morning you can be in lectures and go straight to work, making it the perfect job for people who don’t want to travel far. 


Tutoring 

If you are at university, then you are in the perfect position to help tutor fellow students. You could post either work for yourself or a tutoring company, and either way, your hours will be sufficiently flexible, meaning you can choose where and when you work. Nowadays, tutoring can be done via an online video chat, meaning you can even work from the comfort of your own home!


Supermarket Assistant

What could be better than getting a food discount on your weekly shop?! Working at your local supermarket, along with getting paid, of course, will most likely involve some shop discount, meaning the money you spend on food could be drastically reduced. Supermarkets also often work on a rota basis, so you can ask for the hours that suit your university timetable and know your work schedule weeks in advance. 



How to Find a Student Job

So after deciding how often you want to work, you are then in charge of finding a job! Although there are many other students also on the hunt for jobs, there are plenty of platforms such as StudentJob who can help you find the perfect job for you, by searching for local jobs using your postcode.


Looking for a part-time student job is also best before uni starts each year. This means you will be ahead of the students who realise halfway through the term that sadly, their maintenance loan is not unlimited. 


We also know that social media is your best friend, so use it to your advantage! You can use platforms such as Twitter and Linkedin to reach out to companies. 


University job fairs are also worth checking out. Firstly, you know that companies that are looking to recruit at university fairs want students, so they will be understanding of your university commitments. Also, job fairs offer the opportunity of meeting employers directly, so you can ask any questions and find out more about the roles available. 



How to Apply

When applying to any job, there are many things to do to make you stand out. 


Checking your CV is ultimately the first step to ensuring your application gets noticed. You will need to ensure all valuable experience and skills are included, while also making your CV tailored to the specific role you are applying for. It may be easy to send your CV off to multiple different employers; however, if you do not tailor your CV to represent why you are applying, then you will find yourself still without a job!  


Make sure to double-check your application before sending it off. The worse thing is to realise you have sent an email to your potential employer, and have forgotten to add your CV and cover letter. A top tip is to also check for spelling and grammar errors by asking a friend to read through it. 


Are you heading to your first interview? An interview can be a daunting process, even for the most experienced. However, if you do your research, you will feel the benefits! Research all you can learn about the company, as this will help you understand more about the job itself, and help you think of questions to ask! This shows you are passionate about the role. You should also think about things such as what to wear to an interview, and when to arrive (early is better than late!).


There are plenty of student-friendly positions out there, and if you follow this guide, you are bound to find a position that suits you! A student job will give you invaluable experience and help your future graduate job applications, making a student job fully worthwhile. However, most importantly, enjoy your university experience!



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!