Jobs at Uni

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.

When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?

Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Reply 1

Liverpool Hope University

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hi there!

While I was at university I had a job with a Hospitality agency which meant that I could pick and choose when and where I wanted to work so that it fit conveniently around my studies. On my CV, I had written that I was currently in education though I am not sure it is necessary to specify.

How fast it is to find a job depends on what jobs are available around you. Have a look on your university's website as they may have jobs within the university. Your university will also have a careers team that will be able to give you advice on where you can find jobs and assist you in applying for them. If you are looking to start working straight away, I would book an appointment with the careers team as soon as you can.

I hope this helps!

Lottie, Graduate Advocate 😀

Reply 2

EdgeHillStudents

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hey @AprilA007,

I remember updating my CV saying that I was studying at a university in my education section.

I was able to get a job by October however this was a job working as a student ambassador for the university in which they usually advertise roles quite early into the academic year.

I would recommend looking at the part time roles that the university offer and see if any of these would be worthwhile doing. This could be alongside other work as some of the student jobs don't expect too much of you which means it can be organised around other work and studies as well.

I would also set up a meeting with the careers team as they will be able to help you on your CV and also potentially find some job opportunities for you.

Finally, I would recommend researching what is in the area ahead of going to university such as is it shops, restaurants, cafes etc as this will give an idea of potential job roles. Look if there are transport links to wider areas you could work in as well.

Hope that helps!

Rebecca
Recent Geoenvironmental Hazards Graduate

Reply 3

University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hi there! Great to hear you'll be joining us in Plymouth this September! What course will you be studying? 🙂

I'm a current student and have a couple of part time jobs in Plymouth alongside my studies. The university regularly hosts careers fairs, including ones specifically for local part-time jobs, so I'd recommend checking one out when you move in.

As far as my experience has gone, it was not too difficult to find any part time jobs. The university hires students as ambassadors (i.e. for open days and other events), as well as working in the SU bar, shop, library, and more. Local employers are often happy to offer part time work for students and, being a city, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés to enquire about a job.

You can specify as much as you like on your CV but I'd recommend being honest about being a student as you don't want to work for an employer that doesn't realise you can't commit to more hours when you have studies to focus on etc.! I'd suggest checking out the careers fair, reaching out to our Careers service (e.g. making an appointment to chat about your CV- they are always happy to help you find part time work), using the AI CV tool and job listings on our My Career site once you have started your course, and reaching out to local companies who would be interested in taking you on for part time hours.

Best of luck and hope you can find some part time work quickly when you start at Plymouth!

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Reply 4

AprilA007

Original post by University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Hi there! Great to hear you'll be joining us in Plymouth this September! What course will you be studying? 🙂
I'm a current student and have a couple of part time jobs in Plymouth alongside my studies. The university regularly hosts careers fairs, including ones specifically for local part-time jobs, so I'd recommend checking one out when you move in.
As far as my experience has gone, it was not too difficult to find any part time jobs. The university hires students as ambassadors (i.e. for open days and other events), as well as working in the SU bar, shop, library, and more. Local employers are often happy to offer part time work for students and, being a city, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés to enquire about a job.
You can specify as much as you like on your CV but I'd recommend being honest about being a student as you don't want to work for an employer that doesn't realise you can't commit to more hours when you have studies to focus on etc.! I'd suggest checking out the careers fair, reaching out to our Careers service (e.g. making an appointment to chat about your CV- they are always happy to help you find part time work), using the AI CV tool and job listings on our My Career site once you have started your course, and reaching out to local companies who would be interested in taking you on for part time hours.
Best of luck and hope you can find some part time work quickly when you start at Plymouth!
-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Hi! I'm looking to study English Literature!

For the student ambassadors how often is the work that you are able to do? Would I be able to have work every week consistently or would it just be whenever events are on?

Thank you again

Reply 5

University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi! I'm looking to study English Literature!
For the student ambassadors how often is the work that you are able to do? Would I be able to have work every week consistently or would it just be whenever events are on?
Thank you again

Hi! Great course choice 😄

Student ambassadors can work at any of our events throughout the year, including open days/evenings and other similar opportunities. There are opportunities throughout the year but it won't be guaranteed each week so many students have an additional job as student ambassadors can sign up for as many or few shifts as they'd like. In addition to events, student ambassadors can get involved with other opportunities like social media, call centres, international student arrivals, halls arrivals, graduations, and will be sent external opportunities by other departments/organisations too. You can stay as an ambassador right up until you graduate.

Hope this helps! 😊

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hi @AprilA007
I would recommend speaking to the careers service at the university once you arrive as they should be able to help you search for part time jobs and help you with writing your CV. Also it might be worth seeing if there are any part time jobs available within the university as these tend to be quite flexible as they understand the pressures students are under. These might include working in on campus cafes, bars or being a student ambassador.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 7

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hi there!

This varies from person to person but also the availability of jobs. I didn't get a job in my first year due to lockdown just being lifted so there wasn't that much to do. However, it didn't take too long to get a job in my second year. I applied for a few jobs whilst being at home during summer and then drove to attend my interviews as it wasn't too far for me to get to.

Most universities, also offer student ambassador opportunities where you get paid for working open days or offer holder days etc. This could be a great option too.

I did say in my cv that I am a student but I don't think it is a must. Some places will love to hire students more than others so keep that in mind too.

I hope this helps 😊
Jakub- Fashion promotion and marketing student

Reply 8

Kingston Reps

Official Rep

Original post by AprilA007

Hi, I'm going to the University of Plymouth in September and I'm concerned that I won't be able to get a job quickly as my maintance loan is not the best.
When getting student jobs do you specify on your CV that you're a student or do you not need to specify?
Also did you all find jobs easily or did it take a long time?? Thank you in advance

Hi @AprilA007

I would say start looking and applying now. I got my job as a student ambassador around October/November time, but for a non university job you could probably start sooner.

I have previous done a post that includes some useful websites of where to look How to Find a Part Time Job at Kingston - The Student Room I would also try going on company websites especially for big chains like Tesco and Weatherspoon's as they also often allow you to transfer back home over Christmas and summer. Also look at independent and small businesses social media pages like Facebook and Instagram as they often advertise there.

I hope this helps and good luck :smile: