Finding part-time work
Published on 30 January 13
While there are certainly lots of other benefits, we know that, for most of you, getting a part-time job is essential for keeping on top of your finances. With Christmas festivities - and post-exam revelry - a distant memory, finding an extra source of income might be one of your top priorities. What are your options?
The Careers service
The Careers service isn't just there to help with your long-term plans - they can also give you lots of great advice for part-time and student jobs too.
More importantly they keep up-to-date listings of part-time opportunities on Careerslink. Careers only advertise jobs that meet certain standards: they must meet the minimum wage (currently £6.19 per hour), for example.
On campus, or something a bit further afield?
Many University departments offer part-time work, usually doing administrative tasks or hospitality. Working on campus can work well if you want to fit paid work in between classes or academic work.
You don't need to work for the University to be close though, there are plenty of other businesses close to campus and halls, as well as in Didsbury and Withington.
Of course, you might like to look a bit further afield - the city centre, Old Trafford and Ethihad football stadiums, and the Trafford Centre are an easy bus ride away, and offer thousands of jobs.
Whatever you decide on, you should make sure that you factor in travelling time to your total working hours. As a rule of thumb, academic Schools recommend that you work a maximum of 15 hours per week. Any more, and you may find it interferes too much with your studies.
Where to find part-time jobs
Often the best way to find flexible work - especially in retail and hospitality - is to get out there and pound the pavement. Spend a couple of hours asking around in shops and businesses. A weekday afternoon is best, as you'll have fewer competitors. Employment agencies can also help. In fact some employers, such as Manchester United football club, only take staff from certain agencies. Find out more about agencies, including how to search their vacancies in Careerslink. There are also plenty of resources online. As well as Careerslink, the Careers service provides a list of useful jobs websites, many of which are aimed at students. You can find jobs in some less formal places too. Wallpark - a new social site aimed at students in Manchester - has a growing number of employers seeking casual workers. Other social networks can also help you discover hidden treasures. |
Did you know?You can get the latest part-time jobs info feed on your My Manchester homepage. |
Know your rights
It's important to remember your rights if you're looking for work in these non-traditional places. There are many reports of scam jobs advertised through social networks, but you can also find plenty of employers unwilling to meet basic minimum pay, equality, or health and safety standards. Make sure you knwo what you're entitled to, and who to contact if you think you're being ripped off.
If you're an international student from outside the EU, you also need to check that your visa entitles you to work. While the Careers service can offer general advice about working in the UK, the International Advice Team in Student Services are currently the only part of the University who are licensed by the UKBA to give immigration advice, so if you're in any doubt, contact them.