Employment
What is Employment?
Employment is 'having a job' but there are many types of work and employment to consider as you start to search for work.
Types of work
Full-Time: Normally 35-40 hours a week but can be more depending on the sector
Part-Time: Usually less than 35 hours a week (but again, it will depend on your employer!)
Zero Hours: These contracts do not have a set amount of contracted hours agreed, meaning you could have very few or lots, but you are employed by a company
Adhoc/Casual Work: This is work that is more varied, you may not have a contract set but could be still given work
Types of contract
Fixed Term: Your contract is for a limited period of time, this may be because you are doing a project in a certain time frame or the company is not sure whether the role is long-term
Permanent: Your contract does not have an end date and the company intend to keep you for a long period
Maternity Cover: You will cover the role of another person while they are on maternity leave, meaning they will be returning to their job when this period is up
Types of pay
Per Annum: This pay is a set amount worked out over a yearly period
Hourly: This pay reflects the hours you do, this could be paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
Project based: you get paid per project you complete
Reality Check
Jobs can be competitive no matter the level and the sector, so it's always a good idea to prepare a good application. Not all jobs will advertise vacancies in the same way.
They are not like college- lateness and bad behaviour won't be tolerated.
It's also likely that you will need to start at the 'bottom' of the ladder until you have developed enough experience to get to the higher paid jobs!
Employment might be right for you if you:
Are looking for something to get you experience while you study
Would like to be paid for your work
Are ready for your next step in your career
Understand that you will need to put in the work to get the rewards
What to do next
Know what you want to apply for. What sort of work do you want to find?
Look for work and explore what they're looking for in an applicant. Do they want you to have certain qualifications? Do they need certain skills and experience? Do you have them?
If you meet the entry requirements, you should make an application. You will likely need a CV, but more and more employers are looking for application forms. Take a look at the different types of application and how to tackle them here.
If you are successful in your application you will be invited to do an interview.
It's worth noting that there are lots of different ways of looking for work. This can mean that it is sometimes difficult to navigate your way through the job hunting process and you might get a bit lost along the way.
Opportunities can be divided into those that are advertised and “hidden” vacancies, which might mean that you need to be more proactive in your search to get the work that is right for you.
Are you looking for part-time work while you study? Did you know the College has a Recruitment Agency that is designed to help students do just that?
TSC - Employment-services-agency-leaflet.pdf