College life isn’t just attending classes with many students balancing campus clubs or even part time jobs while pursuing a degree. A handful of students manage to work full time, wrapping college around their busy schedules.

For students living on campus, particularly those without personal transportation to take them where they want to go, finding part time work can be a bit of a challenge, but there are jobs to be had. You probably know how many hours per week you can handle working, but maybe you aren’t sure where to start looking.

Let’s take a look at some options available to you in your quest for part time employment:

College Bookstore – One of the largest on campus employers is the college bookstore. Most schools contract this business out to the highest bidder so you won’t be working for the school, but a private employer.

College Support Staff – Mostly every college has an employment board posted to their website. Check this page out and apply for work that is suitable for you. Library assistants, cafeteria workers, event staff and tutors are among the many positions that can become available.

Professor’s Assistant – Usually reserved for upperclassmen, busy professors will sometimes have an assistant tasked with helping them manage their schedules, grade papers, respond to student requests, etc. Expect the requirements to be high for this position (excellent grades) while the pay may only be nominal. Still, it can put a few extra bucks in your wallet.

Online Work – If you have access to a computer you can use your computer skills to perform online work. Write articles, manage spreadsheets, send out emails for businesses, etc. Check Craigslist and other online sites for opportunities but beware of scams: they seem to dominate the online work market! Use online networks like LinkedIn, MySpace, and Facebook to connect with employers too.

Of course, if you can get to any business located right off campus, then your opportunities are further expanded. Take advantage of what is around you to find the job that best suits you.

Adv. — Is your family experiencing a financial shortfall this academic year? Scholarships, grants, 529 money, and part time work may not be enough. Learn about private student loans by visiting SayStudent.com, your portal for college financial assistance. We have free tools for your download and updated information about current college financing requirements.

Tags: college, employment, jobs, part time job, school, university, work

Yesterday, we talked about the steps to take to land a new job, but today we’re going to explore how you can prepare for an interview. If you are new to the interviewing process, you’ll need to get some practice which means spending some time interviewing for jobs you may not be interested in taking. Don’t worry, you aren’t wasting anyone’s time – many practice interviews end up leading to a job offer, sometimes for a completely different job or new department!

Your Resume – Paper resumes are still very much in, no matter what some experts tell you. Sure, go ahead and put all of your vital information online and/or copy it to a Flash drive and have that available for tech savvy interviewers. However, an old-fashioned hard copy resume printed out on high quality bond paper is till in order – work with your college’s Career Office to craft a winning resume.

Your Attire – Unless you’re interviewing for an I.T. Department position, you need to dress the part. This means acquiring the necessary wardrobe for your interview, regardless of whether the company is formal or not. People will judge you by the way you look, the tattoos they see, and the length of your fingernails. That tongue piercing may be all the rage, but it could scuttle a job offer if it turns off an employer.

Your Research – Prior to going on your interview, can you honestly say that you know all that much about the company? With access to the internet, you have no excuse to not know this information which can come in handy during your interview. Your interviewer will ask you several questions regarding the way the company operates, therefore you should understand its mission statement, know who the CEO is, be familiar with their products or services, and have a grasp of the company’s size, number of employees, locations, etc.

Your Composure – When meeting the person or people who will be interviewing you, look them in the eye, shake their hand, smile, and relax. Answer questions carefully and thoughtfully, but don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know” if you really don’t have an answer for a question. Be polite, thank your interviewer, and show genuine appreciation for the interview while expressing interest in the company.

Your Follow Up – Send a thank you note to the person who interviewed you and follow that up a week later to express your interest in the position again. If you are in the running for the job, you may be contacted again or invited in for a second interview, but you can help your cause by following up yourself.

Your Offer – If you successfully navigate through the interview process and receive a job offer, do not accept their offer on the spot. Ask for one or two days to consider their offer and then sleep on it. When you awake, refreshed, and ready to consider their offer, ask yourself if the company culture, pay, benefits, work requirements, and your skill sets are a match for the position. Be prepared to give your response within the alloted time, graciously accepting or turning down their offer.

Interviewing takes practice and you’re bound to flub one or two before you feel comfortable meeting with potential employers. Most people will understand that you’re nervous, but being organized and prepared will take the edge off of you.

Tags: career, employment, job interview, jobs, resume, work