CV Boosters (part 1): Why part-time work is great for your CV

When you’re a student, it’s all too easy to see part-time work as a necessary inconvenience – a way to earn extra cash to supplement your social life.

But it’s actually be a great opportunity to boost your CV before graduating. We summarise the benefits…

Thinking of getting a part-time job while studying abroad? Make it work for you – find a role that helps you to develop the following:

1. Career-specific skills
Do you already have a dream career in mind? If so, then gain part-time work in that area. Think about it, if you want to work in the banking industry then what’s more useful – a part-time role in a bank or some weekend shifts in the campus coffee shop?

Gaining ground level experience in your chosen field will be a huge help when competing for graduate roles. So grab part-time opportunities that are relevant – no matter how mundane they might sound.  

2. Employability skills
Employability skills include things like communication, motivation, punctuality, time-management and teamwork. So when applying for part-time jobs, pause and ask yourself: “How many employability skills can I develop in this role?” Don’t necessarily take the easy option – find part-time work that challenges you. 

3. Teamwork skills
It’s true that teamwork is a skill that you’ll develop at university with your classmates. However, it tends to be a much tougher experience in the workplace, as you have to collaborate with far more disparate groups of people. So ideally, try to find part-time roles that help you to develop work-based collaboration skills.

4. Multi-cultural experience
While you’re studying abroad, you’ll probably spend a lot of time socialising with other international students. While this is great, it’s also important to force yourself out of your comfort zone! Part-time work will improve your skills at interacting with people from other cultures. This will benefit your CV, especially if you want to work for a global company.

5. Confidence
Think of confidence as the bonus prize that you’ll get alongside the above-mentioned things. Confidence will come with knowing that you’re someone who can learn new skills, cooperate with a wide range of people, and successfully juggle work, study and socialising. And don’t forget that it’s probably the most important skill to take with you into an interview!

Read our post on 5 questions to ask yourself before choosing a career.

Read CV Boosters part 2: How to make your CV stand out from the pile and part 3: 5 extra-curricular activities that will improve your CV. Or find out how campus volunteering and joining clubs & societies can also enhance your CV.

Pursue your dream career by studying abroad with INTO Higher.