How to Conduct a Job Search for Part Time College Students

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September 8, 2021
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Are you a part-time college student that's looking to get a part-time job to make ends meet? Do you want to gain valuable skills for your future career rather than just reading textbook after textbook? If so, then you need to learn how to conduct a job search for part-time college students.

Doing so can help you in a variety of ways. Once you get that diploma in your hands, you'll be more valuable to employers, thanks to the skills you've built and the dedication you've shown.

See below for an in-depth guide on how to properly conduct a job search for part-time college students.

1. Know Your Options

Contrary to popular belief, part-time jobs have a wider variety than you might think. Gone are the days of being forced to take a job bussing tables or spending nights mopping floors. 

Those part-time jobs certainly have value. They'll teach you professionalism and give you perspective why you're working for your diploma. However, they shouldn't be the first jobs you're reaching out to.

Try to see if there are part-time jobs in your desired field. For example, if you're looking to work in the sports industry one day, there are likely a few paid internships that can give you reasonable pay and the experience you desire.

Take some time to research potential part-time jobs. If you don't already have a LinkedIn account, create one so that you can go through the job listings on their site. 

Look through various job sites to see what part-time jobs are out there. Download Teal's Job Application Tracker to bookmark and track any jobs you find interesting. That way, you can save them to your dashboard and apply them to them later on.

Applying for a job is a lot like making a sale; you're selling your skills to an employer. By filling your pipeline and applying to multiple jobs you're interested in, you'll increase your chances of landing one. This is a great habit to get into for when you apply for a full-time job after you graduate as well.

2. Use Your Network

Most people are aware of the power their network can play in helping them land a job. However, there's one major misconception about this process.

Many people believe that you have to be close with the people you're reaching out to. Otherwise, your chances of landing the job or an interview are slim. It's actually the opposite that's proven to be true.

Studies have shown that you're 58 percent more likely to get a job through people in your network that you have "weak ties" to, rather than those you have "strong ties" to.

This is great news for you as you start your part-time job search! You can try to get your foot in the door with virtually any connection you have. Even if the connection is your dad's boss's cousin, it's a great way to get your name in the running for the part-time job.

Any time you apply for a part-time gig, see if there is a connection (any connection) that you can reach out to. It may help you land your preferred position! Use Teal’s Guide to Informational Interviewing to get started. 

3. Focus on Skill-Building

We hate to be the ones to tell you this, but today's employers are viewing college diplomas as simply the means to an end. Most college graduates aren't even in the field they studied by the time they land their third full-time job. 

For that reason, we're encouraging you to shift your focus. Don't get discouraged if you can't find any part-time jobs in the field you're studying for college. Instead, focus on the skills that you can build towards your career.

This is true for positions that you aren't getting paid for as well. For example, if you were the senior captain of your college lacrosse team, it will show employers you demonstrated leadership, organization, and productivity. Do you really think future employers won't see value in those three traits just because you weren't getting paid for them?

4. Stay Organized

Most college students doom their chances of receiving a job from the start. They apply for the position, but take no additional steps to circle back on that job posting.

Using Teal's Job Application Tracker, you can have all the jobs you've applied for in one place. This allows you to refer back to the jobs at any time.

By staying organized, you'll also be able to spend less time when you apply for positions. Use one email address for each application. Have a pre-written cover letter template you can attach. It all helps you cut down the time you spend. 

5. Add a Personal Touch

So much of the hiring process is done online these days. This makes the process easier, but sometimes more abstract.

For that reason, few applicants are adding a personal touch. It's hard to stand out when you're just one of a hundred different applicant names on a spreadsheet.

Instead, try adding a personal touch, such as writing thank you letters after your interviews, DM’ing the hiring manager on social, and proactively reaching out to recruiters.

Job Search for Part-Time College Students: Expand Your Horizons

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to conduct a job search for part-time college students, be sure to use this information to your advantage.

Take the time to read this article for more information on the top companies that offer student loan benefits. Be sure to try Teal’s free Job Application Tracker to get things in motion!

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Dave Fano

Founder and CEO of Teal, Dave is a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience building products & services to help people leverage technology and achieve more with less.

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