The Secret to Finding a Part-time Job in Tough Economic Times

(This is a guest article by Caroline Fraissinet*)

Part-time jobs are sometimes necessary for students to earn enough money to pay for their education. In these economic times, it can be difficult to find part-time jobs. However, that does not mean that all hope is lost. There are some great resources and places to start which students (or anyone, for that matter) can use to search and apply for jobs. Here is a list of a few general tips and sources for finding a part-time job:

1. Take A Walk Around Town – stores or local businesses sometimes have “Help Wanted” signs on their windows. Many times, people may overlook them, so keep an eye out for them. Take a walk around your neighborhood and see if there’s any in a nearby location. This is more of a hit-or-miss option, as “Help Wanted” signs in the window are more characteristic of a smaller town or community. However, it’s a good starting point because most of the time, you can just walk right in and get a feel for what you might be doing as well as whom you might be working with right away. So take a little stroll around the block – who knows what kind of opportunities you might find?



2. On-Campus Job/Work-Study – college campuses have many services for students. Naturally, that means that a lot of assistance is needed for many of the great places open for the student body. Get in touch with specific locations on campus and see if they have any job openings. Some of the best places to look are the library and any food service locations. Colleges will also frequently post job openings in specific places to students on the university website. If you like meeting new people and being an on-campus leader, residence assisting might be a good option for you. RAs usually get room and board free for supervising specific floors in dorms, and sometimes get a stipend in addition to that for activities. Also, colleges may offer the opportunity for work-study if you qualify. These are more or less the same jobs, but the money that you make goes directly towards your tuition. Sometimes to get enough money to pay for your education, you need look no further than your college or university.



3. Surf The Web – there are countless websites that employers post job openings regularly. Craigslist.org is one of the best places to look for local job opportunities. They have many different subcategories of jobs to search, and also feature a separate section just for part-time jobs. Also be sure to check the “Gigs” section if you’re in a field that would apply (writing, film, ect.) or for miscellaneous jobs that can earn you a few quick bucks. Craigslist also posts many paid research studies, which could be a good way to make some quick cash if you qualify as well. Other places to look include Monster.com, SimplyHired.com and CareerBuilder.com. Keep in mind that internships may or may not be paid, but could also be a good opportunity for students to gain experience and make contacts for later on. Search the web for jobs; it’s one of the easiest ways to discover new job openings.



4. Talk To Friends – sometimes getting a job isn’t about what you know, but who you know. Try asking friends and family about places that they work or worked in the past. They may have some connections or contacts that you can get in touch with for some work. Another possibility is that if you have a friend currently working at a place, they might know about upcoming openings and be able to put in a good word for you. You can also get an insider’s perspective on different places and find out if the employer is someone that you actually want to work for. When job searching, never forget about your friends and family – someone you’re close to could make a huge difference to your finances as well as your social life!

Rough economic times don’t have to signal unequivocal doom to job searchers. There are many different ways to look for part-time jobs for students. By using any or all of these resources, you might be able to find a job that not only pays the bills, but that you might actually enjoy, too. Don’t get discouraged looking for jobs; if you utilize these strategies and are consistent about looking for employment, you should be able to find a great job that can help you to finance your studies.




*About the author: This is a guest post by Caroline Fraissinet, a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, majoring in Film/Video with a minor in TV Production. More articles by Caroline can be found here.

*Image Credit: Photograph by boogah [via Flickr Creative Commons]

This article was included in the Carnival of Personal Finance #243. Thanks, JD!