Uni Student Guide to Working While Studying

employment4students

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employment4students / Student Guide

Contents
Page 1 Front Cover Page 2 Contents Page 3 Introduction Page 4 Chapter 1 How to Achieve a Work-Life Balance Page 6 Chapter 2 Finding your First Job Where and How to Look Page 8 Chapter 3 Writing your CV and Cover Letter Page 9 Chapter 4 The Interview Stage Page 11 Chapter 5 Starting Your New Job Page 12 Chapter 6 Legal Guidelines The Rules and Regulations Page 15 Chapter 7 Foreign Students Working in the UK Page 17 Chapter 8 Directory of Useful Websites

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employment4students / Student Guide

Introduction
Finding a holiday or part-time job while you are studying should be an adventure: a way to test out your skills, try out different roles and take on responsibilities, as well as earn money! Dont worry if you havent worked before, we can guide you through the whole process, from deciding what to look for, where the best chances are, right through to the application process and beyond. Luckily there are plenty of opportunities for you and plenty of places to look for them! E4S offers you some expert tips and advice for free to make sure that you find a suitable student job while you are in higher education. As the number one source of student term time & holiday jobs, gap year work, internships, and graduate jobs, we know the odd thing or two about employment and the ways to gain the experience you want. Each month, we help over 300,000 job seekers find and apply for great student jobs to help them stay in full-time study or just to pay their way. Our recruiters range from Disney to Deloittes so we know exactly what employers are looking for. No matter whether you are looking for a job simply for something extra to do while at uni, to gain some experience in the workplace or even just to earn some money to fund your campus lifestyle - we have broken down the information in this guide to help you find a job, get it and stay in it! To keep up with all of our latest student jobs:

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employment4students / Student Guide

Chapter 1 - How to Achieve a Work-Life Balance

Having a job is an opportunity to earn money, become more independent, learn new skills and make new friends!
Around half of all students hold down a part time job while at college or university. Of course, the money they earn each week or month is not to be sniffed at but one of the main reasons why students work during university term time is to pick up some work experience. After university life, if two academically identical graduates apply for the same job then how can the employer decide which one will be best suited to work at his or her company? The answer lies in the other nuggets of information that surround your A level and degree results. Often, the work experience youve had and your interests outside of university tell a potential employer much more about whether or not you are the right person to fill their graduate vacancy. Even in the most basic part time work you can learn skills that will apply in full time work after graduation. There are not many student jobs where you cant display at least some element of team work, communication skills and time management. If you can display that you held down a bar job or other part time position and yet were disciplined enough to still find time to study, then an employer will be impressed. That part time job which you took on initially just for some extra spending money really could be the difference between you and another of your graduate peers kick starting a career after university.

How much work should I take on?

We at E4S know as well as anyone how much time and effort is involved in completing a degree since all of us have been there ourselves. Thats why we know that over-committing with regards to hours at work can be a big mistake. There is no reason to put your degree at risk by taking on too many hours in a job just so that you have enough money to spend. If your university work suffers and you end up achieving a lower class of degree then the work experience you have picked up will not look quite as impressive to employers. It is important while at university to strike a decent balance between academic life, a working life and a social life. Each person is different in how much of themselves they can devote to each part of that spectrum. Many universities say that 15 hours work a week during term time shouldnt interfere with your studies. For some students that would be too much. Other students can easily do 20 hours or more and still keep on top of their degree. Its worth remembering that even if you cant manage to work enough hours in term time, you can still earn some money and gain work experience by working during the holidays.

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Follow these simple steps to maintain your work and play balance!
1. Make a schedule and stick to it. Thats what juggling is about! Write down your priorities and how much time they take each week if already scheduled, stick to it. Remember the times you like to spend catching up with friends whether face-to-face or on the internet add it in to your schedule. Dont forget your study time either! 2. Dont over-commit yourself! Remember you do need to sleep at some point! 3. Once your schedule is completed, you can see how your job will fit into your life and where you may need to make compromises. This is a fantastic time management skill that you will benefit from your whole life. The planning may sound a bit dull, but you will reap the benefits when you get your first pay cheque! 4. Have a think about what motivates you is it the money, is it saving to pay for something special or is it the work experience? When you are struggling with the juggling, remember your motivations and targets! 5. Pick a job with flexible hours so you can continue your favourite activities try a bar job, weekend restaurant jobs, product demonstrating, childcare, or event stewarding. 6. Temping with an employment agency is very popular amongst students as it offers great flexibility. You can often pick the days and hours of work to suit you, not to mention being able to choose the type of work you want to do as well! Agency work also takes the hassle out of searching for a job, therefore giving you more free time for your social life and studies.

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Chapter 2 Finding Your First Job

Where and How to Look
Looking for your first holiday or part-time job can be rather daunting it shouldnt be!

Here are some basic guidelines to help you out:

First think about what you are looking to gain from a job: What is important to you? Career experience? Fun? Money? It is important to look for a student job that gives you what you want. Next you may wish to consider the following points: Do you want to work inside or outside? (If you want to work outside, take a look at our Summer Outside Job ideas) How much money do you need to make? Factor in all your extra expenses such as travel and food. How many days a week do you want to work? How many hours per day? Are you looking for long-term or short-term work? Location is it possible to get to and from work at your start and finish times? Keep an eye on your online presence. Facebook, Twitter and now Google Plus can all be useful tools for job hunting but make sure that your privacy settings ensure that potential employers see only your good qualities. Take a bit of time to research all the companies that cover the area you are interested in. See what type of people they are looking for and if they are recruiting.

Where to look for jobs

The E4S website holds a wide variety of recruiters looking for students to fill part time and holiday jobs. Take a look at www.e4s.co.uk to get a feel for the companies looking for students, and the options available. Other options for finding that ideal job include: The classified section of your local paper Your nearest and dearest! Your parents, friends and family may be able to suggest contacts or openings Your local Jobcentre Plus Your local high street. Take a stroll and see whether any shops or restaurants are advertising for staff in their windows Small businesses they may not have full-time openings but may be glad of some seasonal help. Consider sending out a prospective letter it shows initiative! Look at your local yellow pages for ideas Volunteering if money is not your main objective, volunteering can be a rewarding, unique and fun experience. It can also look great on your CV and you may even be able to find a role that is related to your future career aspirations. For further information and ideas take a look at a website such as www.volunteering.org.uk or www.vso.org.uk Recruitment agencies have a good range of part time, temp and seasonal work for students. Take a browse through our directory of recruitment and employment agencies on our website to find a UK agency near you

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Check out the Facebook pages and Twitter timelines of companies with a presence in your area for any mention of job vacancies Self-employment - want to be your own boss? Consider something easy to administer on your own how about lawn mowing, house painting or childcare? There are a few legal things you should be aware of before becoming selfemployed so make sure you contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (try www.citizensadvice.org.uk to find your local office). Before going ahead try the HM Customs & Revenue website www.hmrc.gov.uk

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employment4students / Student Guide

Chapter 3 Writing Your CV and Cover Letter

Found the ideal job? Now make sure you get it!

First the CV..

To begin with you will need to create an up-todate CV. There are some great CV tips on our website www.e4s.co.uk take a look at the CV Advice page. Your career advisors at your university should also be able to help. Think carefully about your strengths you wish to include on your CV. Work with your tutors to help describe your skills set and your personality, and try and match them to the specific job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a customer-facing role and you are outgoing and friendly, then mention it! As you gain experience and qualifications add them to your CV. Your choice of referees is important as they can describe your personality, outline your strengths and offer an unbiased opinion on how they feel you would add value to a workplace. They can be your lecturers or an adult who knows you well (not a parent though!). Remember to mention on your CV that you have references available.

Next the cover letter..

Tips on doing this can be found at www.e4s.co.uk take a look at the Cover Letters page. As with your CV, try to apply your cover letter to the role you are applying for by highlighting the skills you have that are relevant to the job. If possible, try to find out the name of a recruiting decision maker at the company and address the cover letter to them rather than using the impersonal Dear Sir/Madam.

Finally.
Check your grammar and spelling. Go through both documents a few times to make sure they read well, and get someone else to proof read them. If you type your documents, ensure you sign them by hand. Print the CV and cover letter on a good quality paper it helps to make a good first impression.

Now start sending!

Send both the cover letter and CV to the companies you are interested in. If you find a business that interests you but is not currently advertising, it does not hurt to contact them with an ad hoc letter and CV. Use your initiative and you might just get lucky!

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Chapter 4 The Interview Stage

What are employers are looking for?
Most employers are looking for a reliable and motivated person with a positive attitude who works well with others. If you show you are keen then they may be happy to train you in any areas where you lack skills or experience. As well as portraying these qualities in your covering letter, you also need to do so at the interview stage. For further tips take a look at our interview tips page.

Preparing for the Interview

Do a bit of research on the company. Surf the web, ask for a company brochure to be sent to you. If it is a local company, ask around and see what others know about the business. You need to appear keen and show that you know about the company you have applied to. Next, think about the questions you may be asked at interview, and develop a set of replies to these questions (without sounding too rehearsed!). Common questions can cover: Your strengths, weaknesses and development areas. How the company will benefit from employing you. How your skills will fit the role they have advertised.

The Interview
To make a good first impression you need to make sure that you are dressed smartly even if you are applying for a casual job. With regards to make up, tattoos and hairstyle bear in mind that while your future employers appreciate that you are an individual, they are running a business where every member of their staff represents their company and values. Towards the end of the interview you are likely to be asked if you have any questions. You may wish to ask the following: o What are the working hours and when do they want someone to start? Are you required to wear a uniform? If so, do you need to provide any part of it yourself? Who you will report to, i.e. who is your direct manager?

Following the Interview

At the end of your interview, they may offer you the job immediately, or let you know in a few days. If you are successful you can accept the offer on the spot or ask them if you can think about your decision and let them know shortly. If offered the job, you should be given a written job offer or contract before you start working, although some employers may wish to be more informal than this. Remember if you are not successful this time, interviews are good practice and you can make improvements from your previous interviews to use on your next ones.

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Top 5 tips to stay calm for your job interview

Job interviews can be very nerve wracking especially if its your first ever one. Here are some tips to follow before and during the interview to allow you to remain calm and confident! 1. Make sure you are fully prepared the day before the interview, ensure you have reviewed all the information you need about the company, and rehearse answers to typical questions you may be asked. Being mentally prepared will give you a sense of organization. 2. Get a good nights sleep the night before; this will leave you feeling awake and refreshed the next day. Although you may feel like a drink to calm your nerves it is not a good idea to have more than one and risk a hangover the next day! 3. Try breathing exercises, these are guaranteed to destress your mind and relax your body. Try the 7:11 breathing technique breathe in to the count of 7 and then breathe out to the count of 11. 4. Prior to the interview make small talk with your interviewer. This could just be commenting on something general such as the weather, but it will break the ice and make you feel more comfortable and at ease. 5. Think positively. You have been asked to the interview because the employer is interested in you and you have what they seek. Remain open-minded and show them that youre the right person for the job. Also, remember that the purpose of the interview is for you just as much as it is for them.

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Chapter 5 Starting Your New Job

Congratulations- you got the job! This is a chance to build solid skills, references and experiences ready for your future career.
To make sure you stay in your new student job for a decent amount of time, it is vital that you make a good first impression. To do this you need to act professionally. This involves Being punctual (when arriving and leaving work, meetings and completing tasks). Communicating in a polite and friendly manner. Showing respect to both customers and colleagues. Demonstrating a positive attitude and a willingness to listen and learn. Being a team worker and supporting your colleagues. Leaving personal matters outside the work place (this includes not making or receiving personal calls on your mobile or work phone). Dressing appropriately for the environment you are working in. Also, remember that no one expects you to know everything. If you are not sure, ask! If you are being put in situations you are not comfortable with or feel at professional risk, speak to your manager they will only be able to help if they are aware. Finally- Stick at it! The first few days or weeks in a job for anyone, whether you are a student, a first timer or a seasoned employee, are often stressful and uncertain. Give the job a fair chance and give yourself time to adjust to your new schedule, responsibilities and feelings.

Terminating your employment

If you really feel that the job is not for you, hand a written notice of termination to your manager with courtesy and good manners, abiding by your notice terms. You may wish to ask for a reference to use when applying for future jobs, and also ask for a P45 to ensure that you dont get taxed at the emergency rate when you start your next job.

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Chapter 6 Legal Guidelines

The Rules and Regulations
Legal rules and regulations - Working comes with a few rules and regulations that you should be aware of. We have taken the advice below directly from www.direct.gov.uk.

National Minimum Wage

With a few exceptions, all workers in the UK aged 16 or over are legally entitled to be paid a minimum amount per hour. This is regardless of the kind of work they do or the size and type of company. The rate is reviewed every year and any increases take place in October.

a commission rate which give you an achievable wage. The amount you earn in commission payments should at least equal the National Minimum Wage rates outlined above at the very minimum. These are great jobs if you are really very motivated and a fantastic salesperson! However if you really do need to bring home a set amount of cash each week and the basic wage offered does not cover your needs, you will be reliant on sales to bump up your wage which will never be guaranteed. If you are in this situation, you may be better looking at a fixed wage position which meets your budgetary needs.

How much is the National Minimum Wage?

There are different levels of National Minimum Wage, depending on the age of the worker. The rates from 1st October 2011 are as follows: Adults (21 and over) receive the full rate of 6.08 an hour. A 'development rate' of 4.98 an hour is paid to workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive. Young people (those older than the school leaving age and younger than 18) receive 3.68 an hour.

Pay slips
You must receive a written pay statement every time you receive your weekly or monthly wages. Your pay slip will contain information about how much youve been paid and how much tax and National Insurance has been deducted. It will also show your tax code and your employee number. If you are unsure of your tax code or how taxation works, further information can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople. If youre still unsure try your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Minimum Wage/Commission Jobs

You may be offered a minimum wage /commission job. This means your employer will pay you a minimum basic wage as per the above rates. Any extra work you complete successfully you will be paid on a commission rate. A good example of this type of job is a sales position where you will gain extra commission on the successful conversion of sales on top of your basic wage. Another type of commission job, which may be advertised, could be for a self-employed position with a commission only payment. These again are fine to consider as long as you feel you can earn enough commission not only to pay yourself but also your obligations as a self-employed person. You will need to take care that these positions offer
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Holiday Allowances
The current norm for full time employment is 28 days each year, for people who work a fiveday week (5.6 weeks). Part time workers now receive the same amount of leave as full timers, but pro-rata for the hours worked. For workers with no normal working hours (such as casual workers) you may have to wait until you have worked enough days to accrue holiday before you are allowed to take it.

There are eight Bank Holidays in the UK. Employers are not obliged to give them as time off and, if they do, they are allowed to count them as part of a holiday allowance. Allowance will vary if you are self-employed as the onus then falls on you to budget for your own holidays and holiday allowances would not be included in your package. For holiday jobs, you may not be entitled to a holiday allowance as you are basically a casual worker on a temporary contract which has a defined end point. Take a look at www.worksmart.org.uk for further information. Look under the Young Workers section for specific advice.

Tax Advice
Many students pay more tax than they should on the money they earn. Here are some tips to make sure you arent one of them: Give your new employer the P45 from your last job if you have had one. If this is your first job since April then ask your employer to complete a P46 as soon as you start. If you only work during the holidays then complete and give your employer a P38(S). We have detailed information on tax issues for students at www.e4s.co.uk under the heading Student Tax. This page outlines the tax basics, how to ensure you are not paying too much tax, how to reclaim tax and links to a tax calculator and other helpful advice centres. The information also explains the forms you may need for your new job and where to find them.

Daily Breaks
Everyone is entitled to a break from work during the day. The time you are entitled to depends on your age: If you are 18 and over, the Working Time Directive (which does apply to most workers), means your employer must offer you a break of at least 20 minutes if your working day is longer than six hours. This can be an unpaid break and may not count as part of your working day.

Health and Safety at Work

All employers have a responsibility to make sure that their employees health and safety are protected at work. This means that you should expect thorough training that shows you any hazards that you may encounter during your job and the correct ways to do your job safely. You also have health and safety responsibilities as an employee. These can include: Using the proper methods to carry out tasks, like lifting heavy boxes or using sharp knives Not putting anyone else at risk of injury Not wearing any clothing or jewellery that is unsuitable for the work you're doing Reporting any accidents or injuries to your manager. You should have an induction course at the start of your employment and this will include the company H&S policy. Read it! H&S Information taken from www.direct.gov.uk

Sick Pay
Part-timers are entitled to the same rights to sick pay as full-time staff. If companies give more than the statutory entitlement, part-timers must also get these contractual benefits. Take a look at this section on Directgov for more detailed information and read your contract of employment to ensure you understand the scheme your employer runs and the entitlements you would be due should you fall sick. If you have a holiday job, again ensure that you read your contract carefully and if you are not sure of your sick pay entitlements, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can find your local office at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

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First Aid and Fire Safety

It is a legal condition for work places over a certain size to have a first aider in place. You should know who they are and where to find them if needed. There should also be a fire drill procedure in place. Be aware of where the nearest fire exits and meeting points are.

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Chapter 7 Foreign Students

Most foreign students are allowed to work in the UK, but there are restrictions and requirements to be aware of.

How many hours am I allowed to work?

As a foreign student in the UK, there could be certain restrictions on how many hours you can work while you are studying. Students who are not sponsored by a higher education institute or publicly-funded further education college are not allowed to work in the UK at all during their period of study but those studying at degree level or above may still be able to carry out a work placement (so long as the total number of hours does not exceed half the number of hours of study per week.) There should be a sticker in your passport or identity card which details if you are allowed to work, and if so, for how many hours. At the time of writing, foreign students who applied after 21 April 2011 (and are eligible to work in the UK) are subject to the following restrictions:. Tier 4 (General) Students sponsored by higher education institutes: During Term Time: Degree level course or above: 20 hours per week part time Course below degree level: 10 hours per week part time work Work placements allowed but number of working hours must not exceed study hours 10 hours per week part time work

During Holiday/Vacation Time: Students can work full time

Will I need a National Insurance Number? How do I get one?

You will need to apply for a National Insurance Number (NINo) as soon as you start your part time job so that the UK government can keep a record of your contributions. You will need to obtain a National Insurance Number even if you do not earn enough for deductions to be made from your wages (139 a week for the 2011-2012 tax year) To get a NINo you will need to call 0845 600 0643 and arrange an appointment at the Jobcentre Plus office which is closest to you. If you are studying and working in Northern Ireland then the appointment will be held at the nearest Social Security office. You will have to take some proof of identification and documentation along with you to the NINo appointment. Usually, that consists of your passport, a confirmation letter from your employer that you will be working for them and any payslips that you may already have received. That said, its always best to double-check when you make the appointment phone call exactly what documentation you will need to take along just in case things have changed. You can find out more about NINos and check the latest procedures at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/ni/intro/number.htm

During Holiday/Vacation Time: Students can work full time Work placements allowed

Tier 4 (General) Students sponsored by publiclyfunded colleges of further education: During Term Time:

Will I need to pay tax if I work?

You will have to pay income tax if you earn more than a certain amount. See our student tax page for the current tax thresholds.

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Your employer will deduct the relevant amount of tax from your wages via a system known as PAYE (Pay As You Earn). If some deductions are made by your employer before your tax code is arranged, then you should receive a credit through your wages in a future payslip. If, for some reason, you have paid too much tax by the time you leave your job, then you should be able to reclaim it from the government when you leave the UK. To do this you will need to fill out a P85 form and send it off to Her Majestys Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
*Please note that the above is only a general guide and consists of our interpretations of the current rules. You should always consult the relevant government websites such as Directgov for clarity on the regulations which apply to your particular situation.

Where can I find jobs & how should I apply for them?
You can find lots of part time jobs for term time and full time work for the holidays at www.e4s.co.uk Please read all of our advice and tips on making applications, CVs and interviews in the other sections of this guide to give yourself the best chance of securing work while you are studying in the UK. One final word of advice dont feel like you must apply for every single job vacancy you come across. Its best to be selective and choose jobs that you think you will most enjoy and that are most relevant to your particular skills, interests and future career path.

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Chapter 8 Directory of Useful Websites

www.e4s.co.uk For all the information you need on finding a job, interview tips, writing your CV and Cover letter and much more. www.yell.co.uk Find local businesses in your area. www.volunteering.org.uk or www.vso.org.uk For information on volunteering jobs. www.citizensadvice.org.uk Contains legal information and guidance on wide range of work related issues. You can also use this website to find your nearest citizens advice office. www.hmrc.gov.uk HM Revenue and Customs. Contains information on Tax and Pay. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenjobinterviews/qt/teeninterview.htm Useful questions you could be asked in an interview. www.direct.gov.uk and www.worksmart.org.uk For a wide range of employment information and guidance.

Other places to find E4S:

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