Your easy guide to applying for part-time work

Summer is here, and some of you might be interested in applying for jobs. It can be great working over the summer to gain new experiences, meet new people and earn some extra money!

But firstly, you need to have a CV sorted before you apply.

Here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to structure and start your CV:

1. Contact details

✅ Name

✅ Phone number

✅ Professional/personal email

✅ Your location (if the job you're applying for is in the university area, make sure you use your halls address)

2. Personal statement

This is typically the part that stumps people. Writing about yourself and your experiences can be hard. You don't want to underplay yourself and your achievements, however, you don't want to sound like you're overconfident either!

Personal statements can feel like they contain a lot of information, but you only actually need to include 3-4 sentences introducing who you are, what you're studying and why you'd be great for the role.

3. Education

Start with your most recent education and work your way back to when you first started school. Include degree titles, expected grades and relevant modules.

4. Key skills

Highlight 4-5 skills, such as:

✅ Communication

✅ Time management

✅ Teamwork

✅ Language skills

✅ Customer service

5. Work experience

Just like you did with the education section, list your work experience in reverse order (from most recent to oldest). Focus on your achievements and relevant skills rather than your basic duties.

6. Hobbies & interests (optional)

This section is optional on your CV, but it can be a great way to show off your personality and your interests if you're applying online or over email rather than in-person. It's also great for expressing teamwork, or, if you don't have much work experience, it can be a good section to add.

The last thing you want to do is spend all your time writing the perfect CV only for it to be spoiled by grammar and spelling mistakes. If an employer spots any spelling mistakes, they are most likely going to put your CV aside. So, don't forget to double-check your writing and use tools such as Grammarly to help correct errors. And ALWAYS export and send your CV as a PDF!

You're all ready to put your CV together and get it sent off. If you're applying for jobs in a student area, there may be a lot fo applications, so make sure to apply for a few different roles/jobs whilst you're waiting on a response. However, having a great CV can help push you to be a top candidate.