Woohoo, it’s the end of the year!
For most people, it’s a fun time because it means the holidays are coming soon. It’s time to reflect on how this year went and how we want the next year to go, and maybe even reinvent yourself!
But if you’re like my friends and I, you get excited for the holidays because you know that you can finally make bank!
Yeah, that’s right.. You finally have time to go out, find a part-time job, and make money!
Oh, wait, what’s that? You’ve never had a part-time job before, but you want to get one soon?
Well then, you’re at the right place! Because at one point, I pretty much “part-time job-hopped.” So I think I’m qualified to give the younglings some advice, right? 😎
So if you’d like to learn from the mistakes I made to avoid them, continue reading!
Why Having A Part-Time Job Is Great
Money! Isn’t that the main perk of having a part-time job?
Why else would we sacrifice the time that we could’ve spent sleeping or going out with friends to slave away for a corporation or business that would replace us in a heartbeat if anything were to happen to us?
I don’t mean to sound so cynical, but it’s like that meme where you’re in an interview and when the interviewer asks why you’ve applied for this position, the only answer you can think about is “money.”
But there are many benefits to holding a part-time job during the holidays. And no, I’m not an HR representative or hiring manager in disguise, I swear!
For example, replace “slave away” with more meaningful words, like “gain valuable experience,” and you’ll be looking at your job in a different way.
You’ll start enjoying your work, and you’ll actually take pride in what you’re doing. And when you do this, you’ll grow as a person. Because it takes character and skills to do well in any job out in the real world!
Wow, now it really looks like I’m an HR rep in disguise. Especially more so when I’m about to tell you…
How Do You Even Get A Part-Time Job?
Now the easiest way, if you’re lucky, is through a recommendation from your parents or friends to someone they know who’s hiring.
But if you want to make it out there by yourself and not be a nepo baby, then it’s time to scour job-seeking websites like Fastjobs, Staffie, Indeed, and Jobsdb.
Simply put in your keywords and scroll until you find one that piques your interest. And don’t be modest here. Apply to as many as you’d like!
There’s no guarantee that all of them will get back to you, but even if 2 or 3 do, you’ll get to have your pick.
Or if you already have a list of companies that you want to work for, just contact them directly through their HR email or apply through their form. You should be able to find either one or both on their website!
Alternatively, you could go to an agency. These agencies work with companies to supply labour to them.
But be careful, as some of them scam their workers, especially the young, naive students. I’ve personally been scammed of hundreds of dollars from one before…
What Should You Prepare?
(Credits: Indeed)
However, having a resume and cover letter done before you even approach the sites will be useful.
A cover letter is implied—a letter that precedes your resume. And you should tailor every letter to the company that you’re sending it to.
You should state why you’re interested in working for the company, the relevant skills you have, and why you’d be a good fit for them! And don’t be shy. Soar to the skies to sell yourself here!
(Credits: EnhanceCV)
And a resume or CV is basically a snapshot of all your qualifications and professional experiences! So in your resume, you should include:
- Your contact information
- A summary of every job you’ve ever taken
- Your qualifications and awards
“But what if I don’t have any qualifications or job experience? I’m just a student. Can I put my Edusave award in?” I hear you asking.
No worries. And yes, you can! Put in the schools you’ve studied in, any award no matter how small, and your best character traits.
Remember that your resume and CV represent you on paper. So you want to look as good as possible.
You can just search for “free resume and CV template” online and fill them in!
And put some effort into your resume and cover letter now. Because it’s the first impression hiring managers will have of you, and you can just add to it in the future!
And What Should You Look Out For When Considering A Part-Time Job?
I know you want a job, but don’t be so desperate and just go for any job.
Ideally, apply for jobs you’re passionate about because you’ll probably do well in them.
A lot of youngsters get blinded by the money and get overworked or put in harsh environments because of it. I know I did.
But I urge you to think about your physical and mental health realistically in the long run. You might not have health problems now, but damage builds up over the years in your body and shows up when you start caring about your health.
Remember, You Don’t Owe Them Anything!
Thank God most managers these days have a heart and are professionals.
But if you’re unfortunate enough to have a horrible manager, then leave.
Trust me, there will always be a better part-time job out there and one that suits you better.
So don’t sell your soul to your company when you’re just a part-timer! It’s not worth it. Even if you’re a full-timer, it’s still not worth it!
Conclusion
Whether you continue working when school starts is completely up to whether you can handle it or not.
Most people think they can handle juggling a part-time job and their studies. But spoiler alert, they can’t.
Which is why so many students just quit once school reopens. So if you do, no need to feel bad. Your manager might try to guilt-trip you into staying, and that’s understandable.
But at the same time, remember that you do not owe them anything! They will find another part-timer soon enough.
Remember to reflect on what you’ve learnt from that job and how you’ve grown since then when you quit.
If you did well in school, become a tutor with SmileTutor, Singapore’s best tutoring agency today!
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