| Looking For Work |
As a student studying or about to study at Keele during the current economic crises you may notice it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a part-time job to help you finance your way through your studies and gain work experience.
Due to businesses closing down and staff being made redundant, the competition for each available job vacancy has increased, and to get ahead you need to make yourself ‘shine’ like never before!
The best ways to do this are:
¶ Complete all application forms to the best of your ability and neatly. Put all your work or volunteering experience on the form no matter what country you gained the experience…All experience counts!
¶ Read all job adverts properly and use any ‘skills’ words used in the advert e.g. reliable, organised etc. on the application form or covering letter.
¶ Make sure your CV is perfect! Go to Keele Careers Service to get your CV individually looked over!
¶ If you need to phone to enquire for a job; Ask for the appropriate person if specified on the advert, be polite, explain why you are calling.
E.g. “Hello I am interested in applying for the ****** job vacancy”.
Before ending the conversation thank them for their help. Do NOT be forceful with your conversation, employers do not owe you a job you must prove that you are worthy of employment!
¶ Ensure your contact details on all correspondence are legible and correct.
¶ Go to Keele Careers Service for information and advice on interview skills.
N.B. It is important to have a happy study / work / life balance. Remember that you are here to study and get the best degree you can whilst meeting new friends and having fun. Funding your studies is admirable but do not let it ruin your education!
Keele Students’ Union and Keele Careers Service team up each year to help all students prepare for the world of part-time and / or graduate work with ‘What makes you so Special’ a series of useful talks and workshops realted to employability so put May 2010 in your diary NOW!
| Where to Look For Work |
On Campus
There are various departments that recruit students to work on campus in various roles, the main ones are:
The Students Union
The Jobshop administers all the application forms for work in the Students’ Union. Nearly all departments within the Students’ Union employ students to help with the smooth running of your Union. The main roles are:
- Bar Staff,
- Catering Assistants
- Stewards
- Administration / Reception Assistants
- Cleaners
- Marketing / Media Assistants
- Retails Assistants
- Entertainment Technicians
All SU roles are part-time and each department does it’s best to ensure hours are flexible.
Application forms for vacancies can be collected from the Jobshop and must be returned to the Jobshop.
*Please see the information on the Jobshop website regarding
'Acceptable Identification and the ‘Prevention of Illegal Working Laws’ for all students (UK, EEA, A8, A2 & international)
All on campus vacancies WILL be put onto the website.
Keele Hall and Comus Restaurant
Keele Hall and Comus Restaurant employ students to work mainly as bar, waiting staff and catering assistants. The best way to find out about their vacancies is to go to the restaurants in person or call 01782 734021 ask for the Duty Manager to see if they have any vacancies available.
Halls Bars
The Halls Bars also recruit students again, go and ask in person for the Bars Manager to find out about any vacancies they may have.
Academic Registry
Academic Registry occasionally advertises for Students to work as Student Guides on Open days throughout the year. The work is casual / ad hoc and involves taking tours of campus, opening rooms to view and other duties. Available vacancies will be advertised on the Jobs Board and Jobshop website.
Keele Library
We are often asked about work at the Library, they have in the past advertised for students to work as casual security staff, students are advised that unless there is an advert asking for a applications to assume they do not need staff, however you can go in person to ask just in case!
Keele Commercial Facilities Management
Vacancies are advertised for staff to work at Keele's Easter and Christmas conferences in the Jobshop and on the website as and when available, keep checking the Jobshop for adverts and how to apply.
Clear Links
Clear Links provides a nationwide support worker service for dyslexic and disabled people in education and often need students to help as support workers and note takers etc on Keele campus to help other Keele students. Look out for adverts for staff in the Jobshop and on the Jobshop website.
Off Campus
The best places to start looking for work off campus are:
The Sentinel
This is the local newspaper for Staffordshire, each Wednesday the main section of the paper is ‘Jobs’. You can purchase The Sentinel from ‘Martin’s newsagents on campus. The Sentinel can also be viewed on-line at thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
Jobcentre Plus
You can search on line using your postcode or Keele Students’ Union postcode (ST5 5BJ) to search for jobs in the area.
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
The Potteries Shopping Centre
Based in Hanley, the website displays any vacancies available within any of the shops. www.potteries.uk.com/
The Local towns
If you are in Newcastle, Hanley etc keep an eye open for signs in windows, shop doors etc asking for staff. There is of course no harm in going into places and asking if they have vacancies even if there is no advert! You never know you may get lucky!
The Jobshop advertises as many on and off campus vacancies as possible that are suitable for students.
Please note that only a selection of the vacancies available are on the website to view all vacancies you will need to come and look at the Jobs Board.
