How to Find a Casual Job While You Study in Aus

Work, work, work, work, work 💪

If you’re a student, high school or otherwise, we can assure you there is nothing better than the sweet feeling of receiving your first paycheck. It really does feel like you're receiving the keys to freedom. 

But (not to sound like your parents), working while you study is also an opportunity to learn responsibility and how to balance your schedule.

So if it’s time for you to get your first job, or you’re looking to pick up casual work while you study, here are some tips.

Make sure your resume is on point.

Before looking for a job, the first step is to make sure your resume is ready. 

If you’ve had other casual jobs before, note them down and list your key tasks within those roles.

However, if you haven’t had that experience, you could always put down volunteering, extra-curricular activities, or even specific high school subjects/university units as experience.

If you’re feeling really overwhelmed, we gotchu. Student Edge members can generate their own resume using our Student Edge Passport.

It’s really easy, even if you don’t have any work experience! You fill out the headings on the page about things like your values, skills, hobbies, education and volunteering history, and it generates a resume for you 🤩

Look for jobs in the right places.

Once your resume is ready, make sure you’re looking in the right place when it comes to job hunting. Websites like SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn are trusted places to start searching.

On SEEK and Indeed, you can filter your search by location, position and more.

And although it’s not as common anymore, it also doesn’t hurt to drop your resume off in-person. The store might not be hiring at the time but hopefully they'll keep your details on file. And it’s always nice for managers to put a face to a name.

BTW, if you’re an international student, be sure to check the current working guidelines under your student visa, which you can find out more about here.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

You never know where you could find a job and what kind of job you could end up doing.

Don’t be afraid to ask around to find out if who is hiring. You never know who you might end up speaking to. One of the Student Edge team member's brother found a job packing eggs after his mum spoke to a farmer at a local market!

It’s also worth asking your uni lecturers/tutors/teachers who might be able to recommend you for a job. And you never know, they might be able to find you an internship or something just as cool.

Prepare and nail the interview.

You’ve reached the final level. You’ve written your resume, applied for a position and secured an interview.

So now all you have to do is nail the interview. You’re in luck because our Talent Recruitment Expert, Lois Andrijich has previously told us all about how we can nail a job interview.

Prepare by doing things like researching common interview questions and thinking about what questions you should ask the interviewer. You can find out what she has to say here.

Header Image: NBC.