Living as a student is not cheap. Whether you have a scholarship or your parents still send you money, students are always in need of some extra income. Some need it to adjust the payment of monthly bills and some just need it for recreational purposes, like going out with friends and be able to pay a couple of drinks.
It does not matter for what you use it, there are a few points you should have in mind in order to land the right side-job as a student.
How much time are you willing to invest in a side-job?
First of all, sit down and make a weekly schedule that includes your regular classes, the time you spend studying and your extracurricular activities. How much spare time do you actually have? And based on the answer, how much of this spare time are you willing to invest in a part-time job? This answer may vary, depending on the semester you are coursing or even from where you live, as commuting may take up a lot of time from your spare time if you live far away from where you study. Therefore, it is crucial to have a clear time frame of how much time do you actually have outside university.
The recommended time dedicated for a side-job as a student is around 10 to 15 hours. Working from 20 hours and up while studying may lead to accumulated stress and even health issues. Of course, it all depends on your time management skills.
What is your monthly budget?
Another extremely important point to bear in mind is how much money do you actually need. What are your monthly expenditures? Again, sit down, go through last month’s bills and regular payments. After having a sum, make a new budget for the things you would like to spend your extra money in, such as a gym subscription, a new phone or regular dinners. Based on the money you wish to have, you will also determine what kind of job you would need.
Let’s say, if you only need extra recreational money, then you could think of babysitting regularly or tutoring. If you are lacking money to cover your living expenses, then you should find a stable part-time job, such as being a waiter/waitress or at retail.
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What are you good at?
Finally, the last question that will help you determine what kind of job you should look for. What are your skills? Do you get along with kids? Are you good at teaching? Or maybe you are great at selling stuff? Maybe even writing? Your skills influence the performance of your side-job. For example, if you are great at math, you could be a math tutor for kids in high-school. Or if you don’t like teaching or kids, you could find an online tutoring platform to avoid kids.
Be creative and aim for the right job for you, one you will enjoy and that could possibly give you experience in your field of studies.
Here is a list of side-jobs commonly performed by students:
For a steady income
Retail:
Although stores might get pretty busy during sale seasons, working in retail has its perks. Clothing stores, for instance, always give you discounts and are usually stable companies that provide you with a steady position. You also have the possibility to get a higher position once you graduate.
Waitress/Waiter:
This job not only offers a steady monthly income but also extra tips. Nevertheless, working in the service industry can be quite exhausting as your tasks can vary from serving tables to washing dishes. However, there are many job opportunities in this area, as the restaurant business is on the rise.
For an irregular income
Babysitting or Tutoring:
If you get along with kids and only need a small, not so regular income, then this is the right student side-job. It doesn’t take up much time and it’s usually during the afternoon/evening.
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Where do you look for a side-job?
Nowadays, the most effective way to get a job is through online job portals. Type in your prefered search engine ¨part-time student jobs” and you will be quickly directed to the best job portals in your city/country. However, students side-jobs are always displayed at your university or local community board. Be aware of your surroundings, check every window shop you pass by. You might find many part-time work options in establishments around your area. Another good way of finding a job is by asking around. Start communicating your peers and family that you are in search for a side-job, you might be surprised at how quickly you can get a job offer from people you already know.
How to apply for a side-job
The last step to land your perfect student side-job is applying for it. Once the research is done and you are convinced of the position you want, it’s time to send some resumes. There are many websites that help you design the layout of your resume to get you started. Include your most recent achievements and, when asked, a cover letter. Make sure to always personalize your resume according to the position or company you are applying. For example, if you are applying to work at a restaurant, include in your resume that one cooking workshop you received last summer.
Conclusion
To sum up, all it takes to land the right side-job as a student is time and organization. The job-hunt can take a while for some, so be patient. Once you get the ideal job, you will be thankful you actually took the time to think about the best option for your schedule. Earning money is always nice, but enjoying the work you do is even better!
If you’re interested in reading more on the best places in Europe to find a job, you can check out this article.
Are you a student and you already have a side-job?
What do you do and how did you land the job?
Let us know in the comments below!
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