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Flexibility is key when looking for a student job

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Work Flexibility

When you’ve got exams to revise for and essays to write the last thing you want to be doing is spending every minute you’re not in university at work. When it comes to finding work during your time studying, it’s important that you find a job that is flexible – a job that will work around your commitments. After all, what’s the point in messing up your studies all for the sake of a job that you’ll be leaving in a couple of year’s time?

The following advice was provided to us by the editor of StudentMoney.co.uk and explains how you can find flexible jobs which to alongside your degree.

What is flexibility?

Flexibility is where employers recognise that you have commitments and build your work schedule around them. This might mean that for the majority of each semester you work evenings only – because you’ll be in university most days anyway. It may also mean that during exam season you only have to work one day a week – or you don’t have to work at all. It may all seem a little farfetched, but there are companies out there that will build your schedule around you.

Working as a student definitely comes with many merits – but it can come with many drawbacks too if your employer refuses to acknowledge the fact that you have a degree to study for.   For example, my sister recently had to quit her job working at Dominos in Manchester because the late night shifts (11pm – 4am) kept interrupting with her studies the next day.  On the other hand, my friend Matt works at a sports betting company in Leeds where he’s more than happy to work the light night shift and then go to University during the day.

Increasing your chances of finding a flexible job

Whilst there are lots of companies out there who are willing to offer flexibility to students, many of which are listed at studentmoney.co.uk, there are many more that won’t. If you need flexibility in your student job here are our three top tips for you to bear in mind:

  • Be truthful: When applying for a job or in the interview phase make sure you’re honest about your scheduling requirements. It may put some employers off, but at least it won’t cause trouble down the road when you drop the bombshell that you can only work X, Y and Z hours.
  • Be the best: If you prove to an employer that you’re the best person for the job, they will hire you regardless of your flexibility requirements. The better you make the case for you being the best person for the job, the better your chances of landing that job. Flexibility is just one variable that employers look at – it’s not the only thing they consider.
  • Find out where your friends work: Working with your university friends may not appeal to you, but if you get an idea for the kind of places they work, your job hunt will be much easier. Friends who already have jobs will have flexible scheduling arrangements – have a look at the companies and sectors they work in, and see if you can secure a job for yourself in that area.

Working during your time as a student is a great thing to do – it helps you to reduce your reliance on student loans, and if you play your cards right you may well end up leaving university with a nice pile of cash behind you. There’s no point in damaging your chances of obtaining a top degree by working day and night because your employer has imposed an unforgiving schedule on you however – so before you go taking a job make sure the employer offers flexibility to suit you.

Graduate Schemes

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Are you about to finish your University degree? Are you worried about obtaining a good enough job once you’ve finished? Although graduates are currently struggling in today’s economic climate to gain employment this does not mean there are not opportunities out there and statistics show that individuals with a degree still fair better in the job market than those without. One of the best paths for a recent graduate to take is that of a graduate scheme. Graduate schemes are programmes of training that are often run by large companies; these firms aim to recruit graduates in the autumn of their graduating year. They provide a paid, permanent job as well as 2 years of structured training providing graduates with a career path and guaranteed employment after training. As with all jobs and work experience applying early is extremely important, closing dates for graduate schemes vary and the selection programmes can be lengthy and competitive. Simply entering, ‘graduate schemes’ into a search engine can bring up thousands of opportunities in both the public and private sector. To have the best chance of gaining a place on a graduate scheme…

  • Research different companies and know where you want to apply
  • Tailor your CV to companies and make sure it is organised and clear
  • Apply early – continue to check company websites even after deadlines close
  • Be prepared for numerous interviews, group tasks ad assessments during the application process

Fantastic Fresher’s fun… boosts your CV!

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Congratulations! You’ve made it to Uni! So now it’s time to let your hair down before all that hard work begins!

Getting ready to come and meet this year’s student newbies in my new role as a Milkround Campus Promotions Assistant makes me reflect on my own experiences of being a fresher three years ago (Oh my goodness where did that time go!?)

Looking back I think my priorities during those crazy first two weeks of Uni went a little something like this… Continue reading →

The Olympics: Work issues to watch out for!

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London 2012 Stadium

So we’re ready, set and nearly go as the five coloured rings have hit Tower Bridge and the Olympics Games Lanes are in full flow… Well full in any event.

But what do the Games mean for you and your work?

Here are a few things for you to think about over the next few days…

So you’ve nabbed a job for the summer… Great news!  In that case it’s important to keep in mind that it is your responsibility to get to work on time.  There is expected to be a great deal of travel disruption during the Games.  If you turn up for work late, particularly repeatedly, you may find yourself in a disciplinary hearing or even worse without a job.

Consider your travel arrangements carefully and familiarise yourself with your options.  There is plenty of travel information available on the Get Ahead of the Games website so there is no reason for you to get stuck.  Also consider cycling or walking to work where possible or explore flexible working options with your employer, for instance working from home or varying your working hours during the games.

If you are one of the lucky folk who have got themselves a ticket to the Games make sure you have booked the time off work or reorganised your shifts accordingly.  Again if you don’t show up to work you could end up in a pickle as taking time off during the Games is likely to look a little suspicious.  Remember also that your employer does not have to pay you for any period of unauthorised absence.

Having said that employers should have already discussed the above matters with their employees to keep any disruption to a minimum.  Nevertheless if you are under two years service you may well have limited protection against dismissal for failing to come into work or  arriving at work late so it is better to get these things sorted out rather than take the risk.

You may be asked or expected to work overtime during the Games.  Employees who work overtime do not have an automatic right to any additional pay; this will depend on the terms of their contract of employment, or on custom and practice. If there is no provision in your contract for you to be paid extra for working overtime, and there is no established practice of this happening in the past, then your employer does not have to pay you a premium if you do work overtime.

On the other hand you can only be required to work overtime, whether paid or unpaid, if this is provided for in your contract of employment or if you have always worked overtime when required in the past and so it has become custom and practice.

It is often the case that employees are expected to work unpaid overtime from time to time, to meet the reasonable requirements of the business. This is more common for employees in non-manual roles, who are on a salary, than for employees who are paid on an hourly basis.

If you are asked to work overtime during the Games and have never been required to do so before, check your contract of employment to find out where you stand.  If there is no provision for overtime or working additional hours when required then you may be in a position to refuse or be able to negotiate a premium for working any additional hours.

Now with that said… Enjoy the Games!

Gemma Brown is an assistant solicitor at TPP Law, a specialist public services law firm.  Gemma specialises in employment law.  Gemma is membership officer of the London Young Lawyer’s Group.