So I know it's pretty bad - i'm 19 and, as I was in full time education in a boarding school, I've NEVER had a job.
Well now I'm at university and I'm finding it difficult to look for jobs that fit in with my university hours. I was wondering (and I know it's a silly question - i'm so ashamed!) how one goes about finding a job that would fit with my hours?!
and where do I even go to look for jobs?! Do I just send letters to shops in the hope that they're hiring?
I know it's such a naive question, but I honestly have no clue, I am desperately in need for money though as I need to support my way through uni.
thank you for all the help
As a little kid you believed in fairytales,
that fantasy of what your life would be: white dress; prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill.
You closed your eyes and had complete and utter faith.
Eventually you grow up. One day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears.
But the thing is, it's hard to let go of that fairytale entirely because almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope, of faith,
that one day they will open their eyes and it will come true.
It depends on your hours and when you are willing to work. Things like supermarkets can offer flexibility, as can cinemas/theatres, call centres, cleaning, etc. Bars and restaurants would be looking for evening staff. Also look at your university website to see if they are looking for staff in cafes or events catering, libraries, gyms, union, etc. The job centre (either in person or online) can be a good place to start. Jobs can be hard to come by, so you need to just plugging through with applying.
Many places are willing to fit hours around your schedule. Have a look around and ask your possible future employer about your working hours and how they could fit around your university life.
but do i ask everyone and anyone (as in pop into shops/cafes etc etc) or just those who advertise they have a vacancy? as there seems to not be many of them!
As a little kid you believed in fairytales,
that fantasy of what your life would be: white dress; prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill.
You closed your eyes and had complete and utter faith.
Eventually you grow up. One day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears.
But the thing is, it's hard to let go of that fairytale entirely because almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope, of faith,
that one day they will open their eyes and it will come true.
try your local argos. i know that round here they save jobs for people in college and try their best to fit it around your hours. (we dont have a uni round here so dunno if its the same.)
You called me an angel, there must be a twist,
Have you ever seen an angel with scars on her wrist?
And blood trickling down from a gash on her arm,
Have you ever seen an angel self harm?-Unknown
but do i ask everyone and anyone (as in pop into shops/cafes etc etc) or just those who advertise they have a vacancy? as there seems to not be many of them!
As said, go in anyway.
Also. Try some voluntary work. Even though you don't earn you can get reputation for it: good for a CV.
Lots of big retail businesses like Primark or Waterstones advertise vacancies and want you to apply online so go onto their websites and usually at the bottom of the page there will be a career or job page then you can search for any vacancies in your area.
Look for a part-time job. In some application forms they will allow you to write in the times and days your are available which should make it easy to find a job which will fit around your Uni hours.
Also make a CV & personal statement if you haven't already. Include your Uni hours on either.
If you have never had any work experience, even through school I would suggest volunteering a few hours a week in a charity shop or finding a work experience placement for a week or two.
Now is the best time to look for a job as the people moving onto Uni are leaving their current jobs so get yourself out there, hand your CV into any place that accepts them and get online too!
Feel free to ask me any questions, I am doing some major job hunting at the moment, thats why I was able to write so much haha.
Jess maybe you could ask if there are jobs at your actual university, like anything in the SU, it might be easier to fit that around your hours. I know at my uni being a student helper could earn you six pounds an hour. Also if you're looking for voluntary work there might be a Community Volunteers scheme or something like that which could get you hooked up with a voluntary job to start with. Dropping my your Careers Service would be a good idea as they'll probably be able to give you more advice about jobs in the area and also be able to help you pep up your CV. (Even without a job I'm sure you'll still have loads of transferable skills that you can draw attention to.) Good luck!
Kiran
xx
You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you wish to make.
I would write a covering letter as well and hand both in to wherever will take them. Some places will offer to keep hold of it in case of future vacanies if there are none at present.
On your covering letter say roughly when you are looking to work i.e. evenings/weekends/1 day a week etc.
Bars and restaurants will want evening staff, but beware of late nights on week nights if you have uni the next day.
Large chains like Tesco/Asda/Currys etc are more likely to take on staff for weekends so just ask around.
Thank You guys so much! I signed up for the uni jobs newsletter that apparently updates you on posts going round internally.
I also looked for jobs which I could apply for online (i guess it's less scary for me than walking into a shop and asking!)
I don't know whether they'd get back though - i just wrote my CV and don't really have any experience...
As a little kid you believed in fairytales,
that fantasy of what your life would be: white dress; prince charming who would carry you away to a castle on a hill.
You closed your eyes and had complete and utter faith.
Eventually you grow up. One day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears.
But the thing is, it's hard to let go of that fairytale entirely because almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope, of faith,
that one day they will open their eyes and it will come true.
