Student jobs

Are you looking for a student job to finance your studies or do you want to gain practical experience while still at university? If the answer is yes, this article is for you! Below, we present some important steps you should follow when searching for a student job.

Review the legal framework: Make sure you are allowed to work while studying

Legal restrictions: What kind of contracts can you get as a student and how many hours are you allowed to work? This may differ from country to country. In the UK, for example, full-time undergraduate or postgraduate students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and full time during the holidays. Be aware of taxes, even though students only pay reduced taxes or none at all in most European countries. Ask your student advisor for more details or search the Internet for information.

Time restrictions: Identify the days and hours when your study schedule would allow you to work. Make sure the job won’t influence your studies and that you still have enough time to do your homework.

Place restrictions: Are you a foreign student? In most European countries, EU students generally have the same rights to work as domestic students (except for students from Croatia). If you receive funding of some sort, check back with your sponsor if you are allowed to work.

Job search: Where to find a student job

• Online: There are plenty of online channels for a successful job search. Look at job portals and social media platforms or join reliable groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. Check all the posts from the last month, post your own advertisement and present yourself.
• Networking: Don´t hesitate to ask your friends or teachers if they know about a job opportunity. Very often the best jobs are advertised through word of mouth and you need someone’s recommendation.
• School: Check noticeboards in your school or ask your student advisor for help. There might be companies that cooperate with your school and employ students.

Get ready: Polish your CV and prepare for interviews

Spend some time on creating your CV. Make it straightforward and mention all your relevant experiences. You can look online for inspiration. Be creative if it is acceptable.

Get ready for the interview and collect as much information about the company as you can. Think of what you might answer if they ask you why you want to work for the company, why you believe you are a good candidate, what your career perspectives are, and so on.

Good luck!