Hi there, to all the young people in UK...?

Question

....how do you go about getting a part-time job? Do you always have to get registered with an agency? Sorry i'm new to all this and it seems i'm the only person at my school who doesn't work. Also how do you go about the work experience thing?

Answer 1

Getting a part-time job is relatively easy, but as a student, there are only a limited number of things that you will be able to do. You are basically going to be stuck with working in a supermarket or some other kind of shop, or working in a cafe or fast food restaurant. For most of them, just go into the place that you would be interested in working and ask for an application form. Look out for ads posted in shop windows or whatever, but many places like supermarkets are constantly recruiting and so do not even bother to advertise vacancies.

If you don't fancy doing those sort of jobs, then it will be a little harder to find something. Look in local newspapers for ads, and also ask around - do your parents have any friends who would consider hiring you for anything?

Also, why don't you ask your friends at school how they got their jobs?

Work experience is a bit different. Are you doing it through your school, or simply because you want to? If it's through school, then ring up companies that you would be interested in working for and ask. Most places are usually happy to be involved in such schemes, and your school will usually provide you with a letter to send to them to explain the scheme.

If it is not through school and it's just because you want to, then follow the same method of calling (or emailing or writing to) places you would like to work. But, you may not be so successful, as in this case you would only be wanting to work for a few hours per week to fit it around your studies, and a lot of employers may not want to be bothered with this as it can be somewhat disruptive for them.

Answer 2

Getting a job is pretty damn hard. Just ask around, hand out CVs, apply everywhere, be persistent.

Work experience is easier, but maybe if you get a work experience placement and do well they'll take you on part-time.