What part-time jobs have you had (and would you recommend them to other people)?

There are a lot of comments on this thread displaying what jobs people have done and how to get a similar job. But there is one problem - they are all normal, unimpressive regular jobs! (Sorry to insult!).

Don't go to work as a sales attendant at Next! Don't work in the co-op! Don't mow your neighbour's lawn! The most important advice I could possible give to anybody seeking a part-time job is to do something different!

When I was 18, I was nearing my A-levels and was worried that I would end up jobless over the summer, sat on my bed worrying about my exam results. I wondered what I could do. All of the retail jobs in my area had long gone and I didn't want them anyway.

I decided I would apply at the city hospital for a part-time, locum job. As it happens, Accident and Emergency are never short of places for casual staff to come and work (provided you have the stomach for it).

It took a long time, but I got the job and I loved it.

I was given responsibility straight away and I grew as a person by the minute. I learned to handle difficult people, to take care about everything I do and I learned to really care about the job. Two years later, I am still there! I come and go when I'm not in University and I still enjoy it.

Better still, I had an interview for a graduate scheme in Canary Wharf. When I told them what I did, they instantly raised their eyebrows and later gave me an offer.

Why do I think it impressed them? Because it was different. It showed that I had the initiative to do something different and absolutely everybody is capable of doing the same.

We all wander into retail or bar work because our brothers or sisters or friends do. Show some initiative - do something different! Go to work at a hospital! Work for your local government or council! Do something that will throw you out of your comfort zone!

I've worked in Debenhams, Next, Waitrose and at the moment I work for Dune shoes.

In retail, your responsibilities vary on your job role. In all of them you can expect to talk to customers, which gets easier with time and practice. You can also expect to work on the tills, clean, tidy up displays and get things from the stock room for customers. Also expect to stand on fitting rooms for hours on end listening to the same music on repeat.

It's not all bad though, and I would certainly reccomend getting a job!

This is because -

1. You get money! That means you can save up for things you want, or just have a little cash on the side.

2. It gives you more independence. Not only in a monetary aspect, but also just in the way you can get up in the morning, go out to work and do something that you're not necessarily used to doing, away from the people who make you feel in your comfort zone. It challenges you and helps you grow as a person.

3. You can learn a lot about life, yourself and other humans by working. It also gives you a chance to learn new skills.

4. When it comes to getting a job in the future, or places on a course, it shows you are proactive and that you have a good work ethic. When I first started working it look me a long time to find a job because I had no previous experience.

...Don't let this put you off though! You'll get there eventually. All you need to do in interview in that case is put across that you're a nice, friendly person. You don't even have to be very outgoing because many companies won't expect everybody to be extroverted and chatty. One thing that helped me with interviews was to go online and find sample interview questions, and write down my potential answers to try and prepare. On the about.com website they actually tell you the sort of answers employers are looking for and it's very helpful. There's also another website called glassdoor and people put their interview experiences on there for major companies so you know what to expect.

Another thing - if you are going to an interview, always dress smartly and make yourself presentable. The amount of people I've seen going into an interview wearing jeans is ridiculous. In some places it's okay, but you can never make a bad impression (visually) if you do put in the effort to look nice. You have more chances of making a bad visual impression if you don't make yourself presentable.

Body language, especially eye contact, open postures and smiling is very important. Try not to babble too much, they tend to prefer answers that aren't too short or too long.

Make sure you are polite and respectful, and think of it more as an opportunity to learn something, and put it in your mind that you already have the job. This will give you tons more confidence when you go in.

Even if you are rejected, don't think of it as negative because it means you can ask the interviewers for tips on how they think you could improve for your next interview. If they don't give you any tips, you can try and think about what you said and how you acted, and how to improve. Look at it as a way to narrow down your choices to get a better job. Every time you go in, just think - I have nothing to lose! Even if you don't think it's true, it tends to help. At least it did with me.

One more thing - get volunteer work whilst you're job searching. It's worthwhile but also gives you something more to talk about in the interview, and gives a good impression in that you are proactive.

If you are searching for work, then make sure you have a look online and in papers as often as you can. Also keep an eye out for signs in shop windows. It's surprising how many you can miss if you don't actively look for them when you're out and about. It can take courage, but if you particularly like a shop or place that you're in, feel free to ask if they're looking for anybody to hire. At worst they can say no. This doesn't mean that they don't want to hire you specifically of course. You could even ask if there's a website you can keep looking at in case any jobs do come up. It makes you feel more productive that way, even if there isn't a job on the horizon with them very soon.

If anyone needs anymore help, then feel free to message me. I have loads of information on this sort of thing so maybe I could give you advice on interviews and CVs etc x

Lots of people get a part-time job when they're at school, college or uni. What was yours, and would you recommend it to other people?



This is a golden thread. Join in with this discussion before 1 May to be in with a chance of winning an iPad mini.

Working at Cadbury world. I ate soooo much chocolate. Would definitely recommend it.

Paper Girl
Shop assistant x3 (Local shops and McColls)
Dog Walker
Pet Sitter
Equine Groom
Farm Hand
Office Junior in Law Firm
McDonalds Crew Member

Enjoyed all, even the latter. I didn't realise how good a company McDonalds was when I (if I'm honest, reluctantly) joined however I was quick to realise they take care of employees. Recommend all as part time jobs except McColls. :unimpressed Do NOT work for McColls though! Poor wages and boring shifts - nothing to do as stores are not that busy in a nine hour period! :unimpressed