Getting a holiday job
If you’re after a bit of spare cash, getting a part-time job
during your school or college holidays is a good way to do it. You
can gain useful skills that you can use later in life, but there
are a few things you need to consider before you start that
application.
Before you start looking
If you've decided that you'd like to start earning some money,
there are a few things to think about before you start, such
as:
-
the amount of time you can dedicate to a job;
-
the maximum distance you can travel and how you can get
there;
-
any existing skills or experience you have.
There are also a number of restrictions on the type of job that
you can do and the number of hours you can work depending on your
age. Check the employment rights for young people
on Directgov before looking for work (www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Yourrightsandresponsibilitiesatwork/DG_066272).
Time you can spare
Although it's tempting to spend lots of your holiday time
working and earning money, it's not a good idea to over-commit
yourself. Think about any revision or coursework that you need to
do during your time off, any holidays that you have planned or
anything else you'd like to do during your break before getting a
job.
If you have holiday booked, you must mention this to your
potential employer before they offer you a job. Not saying anything
until an offer is made can create a difficult situation – not what
you want on your first day.
What type of work would suit you
For information on what type of work would suit you look at the
information on Directgov (www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Gettingyourfirstjob/DG_066157).
Distance and location
Travelling time is really important, especially if you're going
to be using public transport. Think about how you will get to and
from work and how long it will take you to travel to your job and
back home again.
If you're working during the evening in a restaurant or a bar,
some employers may pay for a taxi if you finish late but this is
not typical.
Skills and experience
A holiday job is likely to be the first job you've had, so you
might think that you've got no relevant skills that you can offer
an employer. Think about anything that you're interested in or
outside of school or college, or any particular subjects that you
think you're good at and match them to job opportunities. For
example:
-
if you're interested in sport, you could work for your local
leisure centre;
-
an interest in entertainment could come in useful in a music or
DVD store;
-
any activity that you attend regularly shows commitment – a key
skill that employers look for.
If you know what sort of career you want to follow in the
future, it may also be a good idea to look for a job in the same
industry, or do a voluntary unpaid work placement. Any experience
you can gain may help when you're looking for full-time work in the
future.
Where to look
If you're out shopping, have a look in shop windows. Lots of
stores put adverts up for temporary or weekend staff in their
displays. You can also often find a holiday job by simply going
into somewhere and asking if they have any temporary work
available. Even if they don't they may take your CV and put it on
file, meaning that they may contact you if any work comes up in the
future.
If you're at sixth form, college or university, keep an eye on
any job boards around the building or in your student union. Many
colleges and universities also have dedicated job shops with
hundreds of part-time vacancies from local employers.
You can also search for temporary and permanent job
opportunities online:
Directgov find a job now search (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/LookingForWork/DG_10030134)
Directgov finding and applying for your first job
(www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Gettingyourfirstjob/DG_066164)
CVs and interviews
If you're applying for a job, it's likely that you'll be asked
to supply a
CV (curriculum vitae) and to attend an
interview. If you do get asked for either of these, make sure
you spend some time making sure your CV is well-presented and easy
to understand, and practice your interview technique.
Useful links