Interview tips and techniques
Part-time jobs- we know they can be difficult to find when you're a student, but they are out there. You just need the right places to look.
Try these tips and advice on how to find a part-time job, and how to secure it when you do.
It sounds generic, but it all starts with the CV. It's your chance to impress your potential employer, before they actually see you.
To get it right, you need to think about yourself. What stands you out from the sea of applicants that are bound to apply for this job? If you can't think of anything, enhance your current skills a bit. We're not saying make them up, just enhance them.
Make your skills taylored to the job. It's hard making one CV that appeals to every single business, but you are allowed to change it to fit a certain vacancy.
When writing about skills you've acquired from previous work, don't put in every single thing you've ever done, just some highlights. Again, pick the things that show you are suited to the job you're applying for.
If you're fresh out of school, think of things you've done that show team building or initiative- like being a prefect, or joining an extra-curricular club.
Make the CV detailed, without it being too detailed, two pages at the most. It would get boring for managers to have to wade through a 7 page CV, would you do it?
Next, looking for a job. If you're so keen on getting a job, you should be constantly looking for one. When you're out shopping with your friends, be looking in shop windows for vacancies, that's where a lot are advertised.
Don't be afraid to go inside shops and ask if they have any vacancies. The position may have only just been made available, and you could be the first the apply. Remember, the worst they can say is no.
Always carry a CV with you, or at the least, a pen drive with it on so you can find somewhere to print it off.
If you're sat at home watching TV, switch the computer on and look on the internet. Don't focus all of your attention on job websites, most companies don't advertise with them and just do it through their own website.
Think of all the companies you could possibly want to work for, and go to the careers section of their website. If they have a job, it will be advertised.
When you've applied for so many jobs that you don't think there is anywhere left to apply, then you can wait for them to call you.
So, what do you do if you've got an interview?
First of all, well done.
Secondly, It's natural to be nervous, everyone always is when it comes to interviews, and employers know this. Make sure to go in and be the confident person that you know you are.
Employers are looking for someone that they can get along with, as well as someone that can do the job. Be charismatic, or as much as you can be, and dont be afraid to crack a joke or two.
Most importantly, show that you can do the job, and use your skills to show off a bit. If you don't have experience in an area, be honest, but use your common sense to say what you would do.
If you feel like you're just not getting any where, and you've tried to pull it back as much as you can, then don't worrry. Not everyone gets the job on the first interview, so keep trying, and use it for experience.
If you do hear that you were unsuccessful, you might want to try asking for some feedback on where you went wrong. You might not always get it, but it's worth a try.
If you were successful, well done.
By Emma Cocker
Tagged in Recruitment student