How to find a part-time job
Students often work part-time while they study, and there are many benefits to doing so.
Apart from letting you make some money, part-time work can help you:
- build valuable skills, such as in time management, communication and teamwork, that can be useful when applying to roles after you graduate
- make connections with others and build your network
- enhance your personal development.
If you’re unsure how to find a part-time job, here are some steps and advice to improve your chances of finding local employment.
Know where to look
A good place to start looking for part-time jobs is CareerConnect, where many employers in St Andrews place their vacancies: search for ‘vacancies’, and filter ‘vacancy type’ by ‘Look Local’.
Additionally, websites like Indeed, Totaljobs and Save the Student can be helpful. You should also remember that some smaller, local employers may decide not to advertise their vacancies electronically, but within their own stores, so inquiring in-person may be worthwhile.
Employers may have jobs available, but not advertise them anywhere. If there is an employer in St Andrews you would like to work for that is not advertising, consider making a speculative application.
Work for the University of St Andrews
St Andrews’ largest employer is the University itself, and very many roles within the University are open to students. These may include shelving in the Library, offering catering support within residences, or interning with one of the University’s many professional service units.
These vacancies may be advertised through CareerConnect, and you can also register to receive regular email alerts via the University of St Andrews recruitment website. In addition, you could consider student-specific roles, like serving as a University student ambassador.
Get your CV in shape
A CV is important for almost any job you apply for. But when applying for part-time jobs, especially to local businesses, it may be the only thing you submit as part of an application. This means it is essential that your CV is up-to-date and relevant to the role you are applying for.
For help with your CV, our website has lots of information to get you started, including an example of a part-time CV. You could also consider booking a CV appointment to get feedback on your CV from a trained CV adviser, or submitting your CV to CareerSet for immediate AI-generated feedback.
Consider volunteering
Not all part-time work experience is paid. You can gain valuable experience by volunteering in St Andrews, which can help with securing future paid work, including at a graduate level. Volunteering can also sometimes lead directly to a paid position within an organisation.
There are many ways to volunteer in St Andrews. The St Andrews Voluntary Service connects St Andrews students with local volunteering projects, and through the Students’ Association you can get involved with the University of St Andrews Charities Campaign and various student societies. You could also volunteer within the University, such as with Museums.
You can find out more about volunteering opportunities in St Andrews on the volunteering page, while Do It is a useful resource for finding voluntary opportunities beyond the town.
Further help
For further help with finding a part-time job in St Andrews, visit our part-time local jobs page or book an appointment with a Careers Adviser.