Benefits of having a part-time job when you’re in sixth form

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There are many reasons why it’s a good idea getting a part-time job in sixth form - and it’s not just so you have extra money to spend on ASOS!

Whatever your interests or current skills, there are plenty of jobs available to help you develop your knowledge and experience. Specialised roles can even help you when applying for uni and in your future career because of the specific skillset you gain.

Still wondering how a part-time job in sixth form can benefit you. Read on to find out.

Boosts your CV

Having a part-time job will give you valuable skills which will help pad out your CV. These skills will include time management; team work; problem solving; customer service; leadership; and many more, all of which will prove to be extremely valuable in the future.

You'll also be able to get references from your employer which can come in useful when applying to jobs and will help to put you ahead of the competition. When applying to universities, having a part-time job is going to show that you can take initiative and are self-motivated. These are qualities that also look great on your UCAS application!

Prepares you for the world of work

Having a part-time job will prepare you for the working world. It’s the first real insight you’ll get into how a business functions and how teams work together. Once you finish your studies you’ll be used to a working environment and have more of an idea about what to expect, which is certainly going to boost your confidence and put you a step ahead of graduates that may not have had a part-time job during their studies.

You earn extra money

Whether you want extra cash to splash or to save up for a big purchase such as a car, a part-time job will allow you to do this. If you’re starting university in the coming years, you can save up your money so that once you move, you’ll feel a bit more financially stable.

It’s more rewarding earning your own money than having to live off money that your parents give you and will give you a greater sense of independence and a good understanding of the value of money too.

Allows you to meet new people

A part-time job will give you the chance to meet new people outside of your school friendship group and build your social circles. It’s not uncommon for people to become friends with their colleagues at work. This ability to socialise will be excellent when it comes to starting uni and meeting new people.

You might also meet someone at work, like a supervisor or even your manager, who you can keep in contact with and secure more hours for when you’re on break from school or you might even secure yourself a full-time job once you’ve completed your studies!

It’s worth keeping their contact details even when you leave your part-time job as you never know when you might need their number in the future.

Don’t overstretch yourself though

At times, you might struggle juggling your schoolwork and your part-time job, but it’s important that you put your studies first. If you don’t wish to work during term time, summer or holiday employment is an excellent alternative as it won’t interfere with your studies and will provide you with a constructive use of your free time that you can still refer to when you’re putting together your university application.

Types of jobs you could do

While this list is not exhaustive, here are some popular part-time jobs for students:

Retail

A part-time job in a shop will help you improve your customer service skills as you’ll be working in a customer facing environment. During the summer and Christmas periods retail stores are always looking for extra staff to help.

Restaurants or coffee shops

Whether you’re interested in being a waiter/waitress or the hospitality industry in general, restaurants and coffee shops offer a variety of different roles.  It will help you to improve your customer service skills and will prepare you for working in a fast-paced environment.

Babysitting

If you love working with children and aspire to work with children in the future, babysitting is a great place to start! You can take this experience to an undergraduate course focused on children, whether that’s child development or teaching.

Volunteering

If it’s not money that you’re interested in there are a lot of great charities that are looking for employees to help them with fundraising, which is another fantastic way that you can gain experience and build important skills.

Where can you find part-time jobs?

So, where do you go to find a part-time job? Well, there's loads of places to start your search.

Search online

A simple Google search will lead you to plenty of sites that offer part-time jobs. Many companies also post their vacancies on Facebook and their other social media platforms so it’s worth keeping an eye out for this. There are also dedicated search websites specifically for students looking for employment such as StudentJob.

Recruitment agencies

This is a popular method of finding a job in hospitality, catering, office, and events work. They’ll assist your search in finding a job by matching your profile to suitable vacancies.

Friends and family

Use your connections to help you. Your friends might already have a part-time job and can hand your CV to their manager, or your family members might know someone that works for a company that has part-time/summer vacancies. Reach out to them and you may be surprised at the opportunities they have for you.

Explore the high street

There’s no harm going around high street shops and restaurants and handing out your CV. Sometimes managers prefer this as you are seen as taking a pro-active approach to your job search and they’ll get a chance to meet you ahead of any interviews.

Maintaining a part-time job whilst in sixth form can be challenging. Receiving an income can also mean you start to neglect your studies, so it’s important to set your expectations from the start. Explain how much you’re realistically able to work and make it clear that your studies are a priority too.

If you’re self-motivated and can balance your studies with a job, you’ll find it’s a great way to gain experience, manage your money and prepare you for your future.

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