Notes by Daria Ross from SaltMoney.org
Edited by Jordyn Myers
Did you know you can complete your financial literacy requirement by doing research on SaltMoney.org? Below are excerpts from Daria Ross’s notes, edited for the blog. Be sure to check out the articles she wrote about and more at saltmoney.org
Article: The Surprising Benefits of a Part-Time Position
Even during the summer and school year it is good to have a part time job. Because when you graduate it will show that you can multi-task by working and going to school, all while maintaining good grades. It’s easier to say you don’t want to do a part-time job because of the pay, but it is always good to have a small income then no income at all. For current students working a part-time or work-study position can help you with your immediate expenses: tuition, books, or food. It can also help with whatever you want to do outside of college.
A part-time job doesn’t just have to be about making money; it can also align with your career goals. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll have work experience to put on your resume. Internships can provide the training needed for your specific field, but a part time job shows that you have skills that future employers want. Working under pressure, meeting deadlines, and multi-tasking are all skills that come in handy for every profession.
Having a job for 2+ years will give you an advantage. Keeping a job for a long period of time shows that you’re both dependable and committed to performing a job well. Maintaining good relationships with your employers so that you’ll have them as references is a good way to create a network for your next job hunt and ensures that you’ll always have recommenders. This is something can be done at any job regardless of the length of time that you are there and is a good thing to keep in mind.
Opening yourself up to the possibility of a part-time job will save you money in the short term and could set you up nicely in the long run.
Article: 5 Tips for an Online Job Search
“Online job boards have thousands of openings at your fingertips but to find opportunities that meet your career goals you need the right search engines and terms”.
It’s important to choose sites carefully. Industry specific job boards will have positions specifically for your career area but not much beyond that. You’ll need to use a variety of job boards to be confident that you’re finding enough listings that are right for you.
Be specific: “Some job boards will let you search jobs not only by keyword but also by the industry and location”, so try and have an idea of what you’re looking for. Know the different terms that relate to the type of jobs you want so you know what to search. Create email alerts to notify you of jobs matching those terms.
Always send a “tailored resume and a custom cover letter”. In the cover letter, add the job board where you found the posting and write about how your skills match what the employer is looking for. Formatting matters in a job application, so don’t forget to check that your formatting is consistent and neat. If you previously uploaded your resume/filled out a profile it will simplify things but always double-check everything you submit and remember which positions you’ve applied for.
The positions on job boards can attract a lot of competition. “If your college or university offers a career center, take advantage of it. They may offer not only job-hunting advice, but also their own job listings.” And those can come with valuable connections through alum.
Job boards listed in the article: Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com
Other articles to help with your job search:
8 Tips to Help You Negotiate Your Salary: https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Article/8-tips-to-help-you-negotiate-your-salary/_/R-101-17564
How to Create A Better Resume: https://www.saltmoney.org/content/media/Video/how-to-create-a-better-resume/_/R-101-14995
How to Write A Cover Letter: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/
How to Write A Thank You Email After An Interview: https://uptowork.com/blog/thank-you-email-after-an-interview
