RA Mia gives tips on CVs, cover letters and where to apply

Why have a part-time job?

Why even bother with a part-time job? Of course, if it’s paid then it’s a great way to earn some cash, but there are other benefits too:

• A part-time job can open doors to future part-time or even long-term work.
• You will almost certainly gain many valuable skills that will make you more attractive to future employers.
  
• You could be gaining a specific skill required by a future job role.
  
• You can get to know different types of people and perhaps make new friends.
  
• Employee benefits - whether it’s a hefty discount off company products or even a free item once a month!
  
• You can learn what roles you like and dislike, which can give you a better idea of the future career you want to pursue.
  
• You can use your time productively instead of sitting at home bored!
  

Finding a part-time job can be tough, and even the thought can be daunting. But you have to start somewhere or you won’t start at all!

Your CV

The best place to start is with your CV, as this will be the basis of most applications. Make sure your CV is up to date with your most recent and relevant volunteering and / or job experiences (for CV writing and formatting tips, see the QM careers page.

Depending on the job you are applying for, your listed volunteer or work experiences can become more or less relevant. So, bare this in mind; you may need to alter your CV slightly so it aligns more with the job you are applying for. If you are applying for jobs in a related field, you will likely be able to use the same CV to apply for different roles within this field. For example, if you are applying for different roles within the retail field, many retail jobs will require similar skills, hence you can apply to different retail jobs with the same CV that covers these skills.

If you haven’t had any previous volunteer or job roles, think about how to use the experiences you HAVE had and describe the skills you gained from these. For example, say you were tasked with a group project in school. It’s likely you gained teamwork skills from listening to your team members and communication skills from discussing ideas and reaching a final idea together.

Where to apply for roles

Okay so that’s your CV done, but how do you actually find places to apply to? Here are some ways:

• Make a LinkedIn profile
• Make an Indeed profile
  
• Go to the QM careers hub
  
• Apply to QTemps
  
• Company websites - If you have a specific company in mind, find their ‘careers’ section (usually right at the bottom of the page) and apply if there are vacancies!
  
• Speak to family members and friends – you never know the connections they may have!
  

For most retail jobs and chain companies, they will want you to apply online. However, for lots of hospitality roles, it can be better to go in person, especially if they are an independent business and not part of a chain.

Cover letters

Now, on to the wonderful world of cover letters! Many roles will want you to write a cover letter as well as submit your CV. Your cover letter should outline why you want the job and why you would be a great fit. Always check the job description to see what skills they are looking for, and try to show you have these in your cover letter. You must explain how you have gained and or used these skills, don’t just say you have them with no evidence to back it up! Your cover letter should also be based around your CV, and you should describe things from your CV in more detail to show how you have the skills required for the role. For more cover letter tips check this link.

I really hope this short article has given you some useful tips and helps you to find a part-time job. For more help and support regarding job applications, see the QM Careers Hub. Good luck with your job search!