According to Save The Student, as the cost of living in the UK increases, students across the country are also suffering an average shortfall of £340 per month. Statistics shared by the student blog show that over 60% of university students have part-time jobs while studying, as this is the only way to afford anything extra on top of the essentials covered by Maintenance Loans or their parents’ finances.
Finding jobs while in university, however, isn’t an easy thing to do. The time and commitment it takes to look for, prepare and apply for a job could take away valuable time from your studies. If you’re willing to juggle your professional and academic lives, then organisation is key. According to Bristol University, full-time students are advised to work no more than 15 hours per week during term-time, with 20 hours max for postgraduate students.
To help you find your feet in the job market, Vanguard Storage have put together this handy guide on how to find student jobs in Bristol.
Top tips to find part-time student jobs in Bristol
It all starts with a little bit of organisation; just like you would have done when browsing university courses before finding the right one for you. Here are the steps you should follow to find part-time jobs while in university:
Do you research
Before you dive straight into CVs and applications, take some time to understand the job market and what kind of position you’re looking for. Whether you’re opting for a job in hospitality, or you want something directly related to your studies, understanding exactly what employers are looking for will increase your chances of getting a job.
One thing worth considering is that jobs in the hospitality industry will be far more flexible than admin or office jobs as you’ll be able to pick up shifts in the evenings or weekends too.
Speak to your university
Most universities will offer free advice to students looking to get a part-time job. If you can, book an appointment with one of your tutors or a member of the student success team and they will not only advise on what the best career path is, but might also be able to give you tailored advice on your CV and offer some tips for the interview process.
Get your CV ready for student jobs
Now that you’ve had a chance to get some feedback (or constructive criticism) on your CV, it’s time to get it in shape and ready to be sent off. Make sure to include a short bio giving an overview of what makes you the perfect candidate for the role and try to leave some space for personal or academic achievements. Student CVs are normally quite slim on the “previous work experience” front, and prospective employers are aware of that. Try to make good use of this space to really sell yourself – adding a section with your skills and interests will help you stand out.
One last tip, keep your CV to one page if you can, it takes employers a split second to make a decision, so candidates with visual, concise CVs have a far better chance of standing out.
Where to find part-time student roles in Bristol
Gone are the days you’d have to walk door to door handing out your CV to get a job. Students now have the opportunity to browse and apply for roles online.
Try using sites like Save The Student or Student Job to browse roles that are suitable for your part-time flexible student needs. These sites are geared up for people like you, so you have a far better chance of landing a role that will fit in with your schedule this way. Of course, the competition on these sites is quite strong, but if you follow our tips and get your employee profile and CV ready, you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd!
Another option is to work for your university directly. Student Unions are often looking for extra help either around the university or with external projects, so it’s worth a shot. Speak to your tutor to find out if your course has any connections with relevant businesses and, if you don’t get any luck, try visiting your Student Union to ask if there are any vacancies going.
Looking for a job – especially a student job – will take a lot of hard work and determination, but it will pay off in the end. There is no better feeling than holding your very first payslip and choosing what to spend your hard-earned pay check on!
Student self-storage in Bristol
With over 55 years of experience in the industry, we provide friendly, efficient, safe and secure storage to individuals, businesses and students. Our Bristol Self Storage facilities bring Vanguard’s reputation for quality, competitively priced storage services to the centre of the city.
Situated in Redfield, our self-storage units feature a range of storage unit options. Whether you need a 10 sq ft locker for only a couple of boxes from your student flat, or a large units of 150 sq ft for an entire household’s worth of furniture and goods, at Vanguard we have the unit for you.
And for your own peace of mind, our self storage units are under constant CCTV surveillance, with extensive burglar and fire alarms throughout, and entry limited via a robust access system.
With Vanguard Self Storage Bristol, you can rest assured that your belongings are always safe and sound.