Finding a part-time job in Guelph

In addition to earning yourself some money, getting a part-time job can help develop your work experience, professional networks, and resume resources. CREDIT: PEXELS

CHEN CHEN

As you start the new semester, you may want a parttime job for a number of reasons. Taking on a part-time job can help you earn extra income, gain valuable work experience, and expand your professional networks. It can also help you pay for your textbooks, dinner dates with friends, monthly rent, new clothes, gas refills, etc. In addition, having a parttime job can be a great way for you to explore your career interests and gain valuable experience in the industry. The colleagues and supervisors you meet through the job can become future references for your next job. Below are some of the places where you can search for job postings in Guelph and what factors you should consider as you apply to part-time jobs.

It can be very helpful to find a credible website that offers a good amount of opportunities on top of some tips on presenting yourself and your work experience to employers. My personal favourite job posting site is the Experience Guelph website. Experience Guelph is a job searching tool provided by the Co-operative Education & Career Centre at the University of Guelph. There are many types of jobs available through Experience Guelph, including on-andoff campus part-time jobs, paid internships, as well as co-op and full-time jobs. You can log into Experience Guelph with your U of G credentials. U of G alumni can also access career postings and career resources by registering for an alumni account. One of the nice things about the job postings on Experience Guelph is that they are pre-selected by the Career Centre and therefore offer more credibility than unvetted job postings from external search engines. You can also access other services offered by the Career Centre such as resume critique, interview preparation, and mock interviews.

Some of the services on campus also post job vacancies on their website or social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram). These include the Athletics Centre, Hospitality Services, on-campus restaurants such as The Brass Taps and the Bullring, Tutoring At Guelph (TAG); and the school’s Work Study Program. Be sure to check their website for job opportunities. External job searching sites such as LinkedIn or Indeed are also good places to find jobs in the Guelph area. However, because the job postings on external sites are not vetted, there is the possibility of employment scams. You should avoid jobs that ask you to transfer money or provide sensitive information such as your bank account or social insurance number. You can learn more about the common employment scams, and access a list of external job search engines on recruitguelph.ca. Another way to look for a job is to drop by a few stores or contact businesses through their websites. You can provide a copy of your resume and cover letter to the customer service (or equivalent) unit at the store and ask for a call back if there are vacancies. For example, Metro, Canadian Tire, and Stone Road Mall have customer service sections where they take applications.

JOB SEARCHING TOOLS THINGS TO CONSIDER

There are a few things that you should take into consideration when deciding which job is right for you.

First is your academic schedule and availability. Before committing to the job, you should know your full course timetable. Note down the dates of your exams or final assignments so you can arrange your work schedule accordingly. You should also schedule some break times in between your work hours and study hours to avoid burnout.

Second is your career interests and goals. As you search for jobs, ask yourself questions such as where you see yourself in three, five, and seven years, and what field you would like to work in. Your time at the university is limited and every opportunity you take is a unique chance for you to develop your employability skills. Also keep in mind what type of skills you would like to develop from the job and how you could demonstrate them in your resume or to your future employer. You could book appointments with the career advisors on campus to talk about your career goals and how to translate your part-time experience into your cover letter and resume. It’s exciting to start a new year of adventure. No matter the outcome, consider your job hunting experience as a learning opportunity for you to get to know the local community, gain knowledge of local businesses, and develop the essential hard and soft skills for your future employment. Good luck with your job search!