As a fledgling uni student, you quickly become accustomed to the plethora of costs and expenditures associated with this new phase in your life. Also, one is often faced with the situation where one’s parents, in all their infinite wisdom, have decided that it is time for you to extend your horizons, challenge yourself, and start paying for all your own stuff! Greaaaat, we say.
Of course, this leaves you with two options – borrowing money from your grandparents, promising to pay it back once you make it big on the housing market; or the slightly more honorable path of getting a job.
Finding employment for the very first time can be rather daunting. I can still remember the first time I walked into the local bookshop (giving you the kind of person I am), trembling, holding an resume in front of me that said something along the lines of ‘I have absolutely no experience, none whatsoever, no particular skills, and no, I’ve never even handled Monopoly money.’
Ironically, the place I ended up getting my first job barely even glanced at my resume- instead, we discussed one of my high school English teachers, who my employer and I both happened to know. What I mean by this is that: the resume isn’t everything, especially if you’re new to the workforce. First impressions and a mildly entertaining character during an interview will probably hold more weight.
One of the key complaints I hear from people trying to justify their ‘lack of job’ is that they simply don’t have the time. Dealing with Uni work and sporting/music/club commitments, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. If that’s so, simply look for a night time job. Also, consider travel times – don’t become so desperate for a job that you apply for every Woolworths on the Greater West. The closer to home, the better, and the less time taken from study and recreation.
Also, try to understand the natural progression that occurs with employment- getting disappointed every time you get turned away from your favourite music/clothes/book store isn’t going to get you anywhere. Remember that a person that’s got the slightest bit of experience will always take employment precedence over someone who doesn’t. Be prepared to start at the supermarket, late at night, packing shelves if you have to.
‘Do what you love, and it won’t seem like a job.’ As sure as I am that my father stole that quote from somewhere, it is probably the best advice that you can take from all of this. Doing something that you enjoy will make those money-making hours pass by much faster- and a natural enthusiasm will make you appear all the more promising to an employer.
Happy job hunting! :P