Finding part-time work

It's advisable to consider a job that allows you to be flexible and more likely to fit work around your studies. Employment sectors to consider include retail, hospitality, freelance translation, promotional work for student nights, and jobs on campus.

If you know you’ll need a part-time job, you could start searching online a few weeks before you arrive and submit some applications. Otherwise, start looking and applying within the first month of arriving in Cardiff. Job searching is competitive, so be prepared to apply for quite a few vacancies.

We would recommend a one-page CV for part-time work.

It’s likely your ‘skills’ and/or ‘experience’ will be most relevant to the role, so have the ‘education’ section lower down the order.
To secure an interview it’s crucial you evidence the essential and desirable criteria for the role in your CV. Finish with an ‘interests’ section to highlight your personality and finally write ‘references available on request'.

Remember to access support from Student Futures if you need help with your applications.

Ensure your name, mobile and email are accurate. Add your LinkedIn URL if you have one. Be mindful of your social media content – employers are likely to search for you online before an interview.

International students should be aware of visa restrictions for working during and outside of term time. The UK Council for International Students Affairs (UKCISA) has a range of information relating to your visa.

We recommend a student works a maximum of 15 hours alongside their course to help manage their studies.

You need a National Insurance number to work in the UK. This is a personal account number that ensures your National Insurance and tax contributions are properly recorded. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system. More information on getting a National Insurance number can be found on the Student Intranet.

Information on employment rights in the UK can be found on Targetjobs. Topics include the National Minimum Wage, breaks, zero-hour contracts, and tax.

Cardiff Students' Union Jobshop, Student Futures Jobs Board and Cardiff University's jobs page provide information on current vacancies linked to the university.

When looking around the local area, we recommend going into smaller businesses with a copy of your CV and asking politely if they have any vacancies. Rember that first impressions count, so smile and dress appropriately.

Try searching online job websites, including LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed, TotalJobs, Jobsite, and Jobcentre Plus or recruitment agencies like Agency Central.