A Beginner’s Full Guide to Finding part time jobs in London
So you have finally made it to London! You have roamed around the historic streets, visited all the tourist hotspots and eaten all the delicacies in famous food markets. What next? – You are now short on cash and are looking for the best part time job but have no work experience? Well finding a part time job in London can be a fantastic way to support yourself financially and gain valuable experience, even if you have no prior work experience.
Let’s do some maths to tell you how much you can really earn through a part time job. If you are a full-time student, your monthly living expenses excluding rent would be roughly 500 pounds. As per UK Law, full-time students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week, that is 80 hours per month. If your per hour wage is 10 pounds- (Quite standard pay) you can easily earn a whooping 800 pounds through your part time job!
In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the process of finding part time jobs in London by sharing some top tips that will help you land your first part time job in no time. We will not only share tips but give actionable ways within each tip for you to be able to secure your part time job in London. From crafting a compelling resume to leveraging online job platforms, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and explore the secrets to securing a part time job in the bustling city of London!
1. Emphasise Your Transferable Skills
When it comes to finding a part time job in London without work experience, emphasising your transferable skills is crucial. These are the skills you have developed through various experiences, such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Here’s why emphasising your transferable skills is essential:
- Stand out from the competition: Highlighting your transferable skills sets you apart from other candidates who may have similar levels of work experience. It shows employers that you possess valuable qualities that can contribute to their organisation.
- Demonstrate your potential: Transferable skills indicate your ability to adapt, learn quickly, and apply your knowledge in different contexts. Employers value candidates who can easily transition into new roles and bring fresh perspectives to the table.
Address the lack of work experience: If you don’t have prior work experience, focusing on your transferable skills allows you to showcase your capabilities and potential. It helps employers see your value beyond a traditional work history. - Match job requirements: By aligning your transferable skills with the specific job requirements, you demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary capabilities to excel in the role. This increases your chances of being considered for the position.
When highlighting your transferable skills, be specific and provide examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in various settings. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible. By doing so, you present a compelling case for why you are a strong candidate, even without extensive work experience.If you need help in leveraging your transferable skills, why not book a free 1:1 call with me?
2. Craft an Impressive Resume
Crafting an impressive resume is essential when searching for a part time job in London without work experience. Here are best tips for customising your CV for a part time job:
- Tailor your resume: Customise your resume for each job application to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.
- Concise summary: Include a concise summary at the beginning to grab the employer’s attention and provide an overview of your key qualifications.
- Highlight education: Showcase your educational background, including relevant coursework and academic achievements.
- Showcasing projects: Highlight any projects or assignments that demonstrate your skills and abilities related to the job.
- Volunteer work and internships: Include any relevant volunteer work or internships to showcase practical experience and transferable skills.
- Skills section: Create a dedicated section to list your key skills, including technical skills, languages, and software proficiency.
- Use action verbs: Begin bullet points with action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements in previous experiences.
- Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to provide tangible evidence of your capabilities.
- Keep it clean and professional: Use a clean and professional resume format, ensuring consistency in font style, size, and formatting.
- Proofread for errors: Double-check your resume for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors before submitting it.
By following these tips, you can create an impressive resume that highlights your strengths, skills, and potential, increasing your chances of securing a part time job in London without work experience. Need a personal touch in making sure your CV stands out? Check out my CV services on this page.
3. Network and Seek Referrals
Networking and seeking referrals play a vital role in finding a part time job in London, especially when you lack work experience. Here’s a summary of key points to consider:
- Attend events and join groups: Participate in industry-specific events, job fairs, and professional networking groups to expand your network and meet potential employers or professionals who can provide referrals.
- Engage on social media: Polish your online presence on platforms like LinkedIn and join relevant industry groups. Connect with professionals and participate in discussions to build meaningful connections.
- Tap into personal networks: Reach out to friends, family, professors, alumni, or former colleagues who may have connections or insights into part time job opportunities. Ask for referrals or recommendations.
- Informational interviews: Request informational interviews with professionals in your desired field. This provides an opportunity to learn more about their experiences, seek advice, and potentially gain referrals.
- Volunteer and intern: Seek volunteer or internship opportunities related to your field of interest. These experiences can help you build connections, gain practical skills, and increase the chances of receiving referrals.
- Follow up and express gratitude: After networking events or referrals, follow up with a thank-you email or message to express gratitude. This helps maintain connections and leaves a positive impression.
Remember, networking is a two-way street. Offer assistance or support to others in your network when possible, as this strengthens relationships and increases the likelihood of receiving referrals. By actively networking and seeking referrals, you can tap into hidden job opportunities and gain valuable insights that can lead to part time job opportunities in London. Need more details on how to network like a pro? -Check out this blog specially curated for networking in public policy.
4. Explore Online Job Platforms
Exploring online job platforms is a valuable strategy when searching for part-time jobs in London without work experience. Here are key points to consider:
- Utilize popular job portals: Make use of reputable online job platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Gumtree, or Reed to search for part-time job opportunities in London.
- Create a compelling profile: Build a professional profile on job portals, highlighting your skills, education, and any relevant experiences. Optimise your profile with keywords related to the type of part-time job you’re seeking.
- Set up job alerts: Take advantage of the job alert feature on these platforms. Set specific criteria and receive notifications when relevant part-time job openings become available.
- Customise your search: Use search filters to narrow down the job listings based on location, industry, job type, and other preferences. This helps you find part-time jobs that align with your interests and availability.
- Read job descriptions carefully: Pay close attention to the job requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications mentioned in the job postings. Tailor your application to showcase how your skills and experiences match the specific job requirements.
- Follow application instructions: Each job platform may have different application processes. Ensure you follow the instructions provided by the employer, which may include submitting a resume, cover letter, or completing an online application form.
- Utilise company websites: Visit the websites of companies you are interested in working for directly. Many organisations post their part-time job openings on their websites’ career or job sections.
- Engage with online communities: Join online forums, groups, or communities related to your industry or desired part-time job. Engaging in discussions can help you gain insights, learn about hidden job opportunities, and network with professionals.
By exploring online job platforms, you can access a wide range of part-time job opportunities in London and increase your chances of finding a suitable position. Remember to utilize relevant keywords throughout your job search and application process to optimize your visibility on these platforms.
5. Consider doing gigs and shifts
Doing part-time shifts and gigs through online platforms is an excellent way for students in London to earn income and gain work experience. Here are some platforms that specifically cater to part-time shifts in London:
- Catapult: Catapult connects job seekers with part-time shifts in various industries, including hospitality, events, retail, and more. Students can find flexible work opportunities that fit their schedule.
- Coople: Coople offers a wide range of part-time shift work in London, including roles in hospitality, retail, customer service, and administration. Students can browse available shifts and apply directly through the platform.
- TempTribe: TempTribe offers part-time shifts and temporary work in the events and hospitality industry. Students can find opportunities to work at hotels, conferences, exhibitions, and other exciting venues in London.
- Off to Work: Off to Work provides part-time and flexible shift work in the hospitality and events sector. Students can find shifts at restaurants, hotels, stadiums, and other venues throughout London.
- StudentJob: StudentJob offers a variety of part-time job opportunities, including shifts in retail, customer service, administration, and more. Students can search for roles specifically tailored to their needs in London.
When using these platforms, create a compelling profile that highlights your availability, skills, and previous experience. Respond promptly to shift offers, communicate effectively with employers, and deliver excellent service during your shifts to build a strong reputation. Remember to review and maintain professionalism to increase your chances of securing part-time shifts in London.
6. Leverage Social Media
Leveraging social media can be a powerful tool when searching for part-time jobs in London. Here are some key social media platforms and how to best use them to increase your chances of getting a part time job in London.
- LinkedIn: Create a professional LinkedIn profile and connect with industry professionals, companies, and job boards. Engage in relevant discussions, join groups, and follow companies that offer part-time job opportunities.
- Facebook Groups: Join local job search and community groups in London. Many of these groups share part-time job postings, allowing you to stay updated with the latest opportunities and connect with employers directly.
- Twitter: Follow job boards, recruitment agencies, and companies that frequently post part-time job openings in London. Use relevant hashtags, such as #parttimejobsLondon, to discover new opportunities.
- Instagram: Some companies and organizations share part-time job postings on their Instagram accounts. Follow accounts related to your field of interest and keep an eye out for job announcements or recruitment drives.
- Online Job Boards: Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to follow and engage with popular job boards in London. These boards often share part-time job postings and provide useful job search tips.
- Direct Messaging: Take advantage of social media’s messaging features to reach out to companies or individuals directly. Express your interest in part-time employment and inquire about any available opportunities or upcoming vacancies.
- Professional Online Presence: Ensure that your social media profiles present a professional image. Remove any inappropriate or unprofessional content and highlight your skills, experiences, and interests relevant to part-time job prospects.
By leveraging social media effectively, you can expand your network, discover hidden job opportunities, and connect with employers and recruiters in London. Regularly check and engage with social media platforms to stay updated with the latest part-time job openings and increase your chances of finding suitable employment. Need help in expanding your online presence? – Lets chat!
7. Consider Local Job Opportunities
I saved the best for last, this technique has worked for most of my clients who have no work experience but still managed to get a part time job in London. The idea is to go hyper-local and consider part time job opportunities in your neighbourhood itself. This is undoubtedly a hard job and requires you to go out and venture into new areas. However, I have listed some best next steps to get you started with this:
- Explore job listings at local shops, restaurants, cafes, and event venues: Keep an eye out for job postings displayed in the windows or on bulletin boards of local businesses. Additionally, check their websites or social media pages for any job openings they may have.
- Visit businesses in person and inquire about part-time vacancies: Take the initiative to visit local establishments that interest you. Dress professionally, bring copies of your resume and cover letter, and ask to speak with the manager or person responsible for hiring. Finally, express your interest in part-time employment and inquire about any current or upcoming vacancies.
- Distribute your resume and cover letter to potential employers: Prepare a well-crafted resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, experiences, and availability for part-time work. Moreover, create multiple copies and distribute them to local businesses that you would like to work for. If possible, hand them directly to the hiring manager or leave them with the receptionist.
By actively exploring job listings, visiting businesses in person, and distributing your resume and cover letter, you increase your chances of finding part-time job opportunities in your local area. Remember to present yourself professionally, demonstrate enthusiasm, and follow up with any leads or inquiries to showcase your interest in securing a position.
In conclusion, finding part time jobs in London without work experience may seem challenging, but with the right approach and strategies, you can increase your chances of success. Therefore, by emphasizing your transferable skills, crafting an impressive resume, networking and seeking referrals, exploring online job platforms, considering local job opportunities, leveraging social media, and taking on gigs and shifts, you can pave the way for finding suitable part-time employment.
With determination, persistence, and a proper plan, you can navigate the job market in London and land a part-time job that aligns with your interests and goals. So, get out there, put your best foot forward, and embark on your journey to finding a rewarding part-time job that sets you on the path to professional growth and success. Good luck!