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Posted May 28, 2018

How To Find Part-time Work During Your Postgrad Studies

How to find part-time workWhether you’re working to pay your student rent, or you just want to start saving for life after your postgraduate education, there are a number of reasons why you might want to work part time during your postgraduate studies. But finding part-time work can be tricky, particularly if you’re looking for a role that compliments your masters degree.

Here we’ve put together a guide to help you find the best part-time opportunities, outlining the benefits of working while you study, and the best places to look for and find work.

Why you should work while you study

Aside from the obvious (being able to pay your bills and eat!) there are a number of benefits for working during your postgrad studies. Firstly, it’s a great chance to get work experience to add to your CV. Even if your part-time role isn’t directly related to your degree, you can spend the time sharpening up on your transferable skills.

What’s more, it’s good to get into routine and experience working life. It’s always helpful to get experience in a working environment, even if it’s just picking up the more basic skills like email etiquette and working with others in a professional setting.

Finally, it could make you stand out to potential employers. Recruiters and employers will see that you were working while studying, suggesting that you’re dedicated to your career and hard working.

How to find a part-time role

There are a range of techniques you can use for finding yourself a part-time role while you study. Below we outline some of the most effective ways to bag yourself the job.

1. Job boards

Online job boards like CV-Library, are great for finding exciting roles, with thousands of vacancies at your fingertips. There are also some sites out there specifically dedicated to finding part-time work. What’s more, registering with online job boards means recruiters are more likely to find you, with many opting to search through databases looking for relevant candidates.

To give yourself the best chance of landing a job, you need to optimise your CV with keywords. In this case, you’ll likely need to explain that you’re looking for part-time work alongside your postgrad studies. You should also make the most of the search options, not just searching for job titles, but also considering keywords and skills that you believe best suit the job you’re looking for.

2. Social media

Social media is a good tool for finding a job, especially if you’re already engaging with your favourite brands and businesses on these platforms. Again, there are dedicated accounts and even hashtags, which you can use to point you in the direction of part-time work.

Consider using Twitter to look for roles and also LinkedIn. The professional networking site is great for connecting with like-minded professionals and finding exciting job opportunities.

But remember, be aware of what your social media accounts look like before you connect with potential employers! The last thing you want to do is cost yourself a job because you’ve been posting inappropriate or unprofessional content online.

3. University

Speak to career advisors or your student union to see if they know of any opportunities going. Quite often local businesses will be in touch with universities about their job vacancies, and this is particularly good for finding part-time work as well.

And using your university careers service means you’ll get more support when it comes to writing your CV or completing job applications. As such, you should definitely explore this channel before relying solely on an online search.

4. Job fairs

There are a number of jobs fairs taking place across the country. These can easily be found online. Attending these events gives you a chance to network in person and with many businesses showcasing their opportunities, and mean you’ll be able to see what’s available right now. It’s likely that your university will also have information on relevant events, or may even host careers fairs on your campus.

Always enquire about the position

In some situations, like at a job fair for example, you might see positions that interest you, but that aren’t advertised as a part-time role. Remember, it never hurts to get in contact with the employer to see what opportunities they can offer you. They may be able to offer you a slightly different part-time role, or allow you to job share with someone else.

In summary

Working during your postgrad studies comes with a number of benefits and there are a few great options available for finding a suitable role. Think about the type of work you’re looking for and this will help you to better decide which platform to use. And don’t be afraid to reach out to employers and ask if they have the opportunity for part-time work.

CV-Library is the UK's leading independent job board and owns a range of sector-specific career sites, including Education Jobs. For more expert advice on careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice and Recruitment Insight pages.

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