With all of the exciting student events to look forward to in a post-Covid world, it can be challenging to earn, budget and save our money. For those of us who have already experienced college life to the fullest, we know how expensive nights out, travel and textbooks can be. For newcomers, there are a lot of exciting (albeit pricey) times ahead.
There are many perks to taking up a part time job as a student. Aside from the obvious financial benefit, a job gives you a chance to get out and meet a whole different group of people. It can also provide you with some valuable real world work experience for enhancing your CV.
Be it planning an excursion for the future, getting ready to go on nights out again, or even saving for something bigger like your first car - a student job is the first step in the right direction. There are a huge variety of student jobs in Dublin, so in this post we’re going to break down the following:
Part Time Student Jobs
A part time job is the most popular route that students take when looking for some extra spending money. There is a huge variety available here - from retail to sports training or even giving tuition. If you scan the market for available jobs, you will be sure to find something suited to you. Aside from the obvious monetary perks of a part time job, the hours can be very manageable and highly flexible around a busy college lifestyle. From the outset, you can let your employer know about your timetable and commitments and hopefully they will be able to work around them. We recommend being as transparent as possible about your availability as working long hours or missing important events may just lead to problems in the long run. No matter what your college timetable looks like, with patience, you will find a job that suits you. Part time contracts can vary from 4 hours a week to 24 hours a week so there is something for everyone.
With the minimum wage in Ireland being raised to €10.20 per hour, and many employers paying slightly above this, a few short hours a week will still be worth your time and can go a long way in funding that all-important student lifestyle.
Popular destinations for student jobs in Dublin include shopping centres such as Dundrum Town Centre or Blanchardstown Shopping Centre which have dedicated job sites showing the positions available in areas including fashion outlets, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants. Click the links above to see their current vacancies!
Summer Jobs for Students
The summer months can also be a great opportunity for students to take advantage of the extra time off and earn some money. Some part time employers will often let you take up additional hours over the summer, perhaps even working full time, so if you currently have a part time student job it is definitely worth asking.
But for those who are not seeking work during the college semester - where do you start?
Well, it's actually very simple. We recommend starting to scan recruitment websites around April or May for any temporary positions that are being advertised. Great websites for summer jobs in Dublin include indeed.com or jobs.ie. If you see a position become available and believe you meet the job requirements - go for it! Not all summer jobs for students need to be advertised with the terms ‘summer or ‘student’. In fact, by keeping an eye out for all the different temporary openings that become available, you might find some hidden gems that can be really valuable for your future career decisions and making connections. It is not uncommon to find temporary positions available in areas such as tourism, outdoor work, or even office jobs. However, there are still plenty of summer retail jobs available as summer becomes a peak season for retail.
If you want to prolong the college experience for the summer or not take one of the student jobs in Dublin so you can try something different, you should also consider travel opportunities such as working in Irish Language Colleges, Summer Camps or even a J1 opportunity abroad.
Student Internships
As you reach your penultimate year in college and want to get a better grasp of the career path you wish to take, a student internship is an excellent opportunity to both earn some money and get some valuable work experience. Internships are available in various fields of study (including politics, government, finance, business and science to name a few) so you will be sure to find something that will help you on your career path. With internships, don't be afraid to try something new or different! Take a chance and try something that you feel will interest you. If you end up disliking the area you are working in, that is still a hugely valuable lesson for planning for your future career - and no work experience is bad experience.
Summer Internship positions are usually advertised very early in the academic year so it’s important to be prepared and plan out where and when you’d like to work. We recommend researching the internship positions available the year before you plan to do an internship, as positions are usually very similar year on year. Take a look at the job descriptions, application process and application timeframe. You will then have a full year to build up the skills and experience you will need to land you a position at your favourite company. Summer internship positions are often advertised as early as Christmas, so you really don’t want to miss the boat with these ones.
Advice for Job Applications
At times, it can feel like the job application process is very difficult and you may face a lot of rejection. Other times, you may be lucky and land the first job you apply for. However, while there is an element of luck, there is also a formula for putting together the best possible job application.
First of all, don’t let the rejection dishearten you or bring you down. Sometimes, it can genuinely be down to bad timing and the employer didn’t even make it to your application before the positions were filled. Other times, the job just may not be a good match for you. When applying and interviewing for positions, always use it as an opportunity for you to learn more about the organisation as well as the organisation to learn more about you. Most importantly - be yourself. If you have to pretend to be someone else to get the job, chances are you won’t enjoy the job in the long run.
Your college will most likely have some form of careers centre - use this! This is not just for getting a job once you graduate. They can offer valuable CV, interview and application advice tailored to you and the position you are applying for. You may not realise it, but even a part-time job in retail can become a giant stepping stone in your career no matter what field of study you are in.
You should always try and tailor your CV and cover letter to the position you are applying for. Use similar language to the organisation you are applying to (you can find this on the job description or company website) and be sure to highlight the specific skills they are looking for. Make sure you give as many examples of your experience as possible and don’t forget about your transferable skills! Taking part in a team sport can showcase teamwork, commitment, and leadership skills!
Finally, we encourage you to apply for as many positions that interest you and take the offer that suits you best. It is perfectly acceptable to sit numerous interviews and politely decline one offer on the basis that you have already received another. Don’t wait around and apply to one job at a time as you may struggle to find work before the college year has ended.
Best of luck with the job search and remember, you got this!