Part-Time/Casual Work
Where can I find some part-time / casual work?
Careers Online is Careers & Employment’s official jobs and events database. Each year there are around 5,000 part-time or casual jobs lodged, many of which are advertised exclusively to University of Melbourne students and graduates.
General job sites such as those listed below have part-time search categories:
Any other tips or places to look?
- Student Union - there are a number of departments within the Student Union that require student casuals to work throughout the year in a variety of different long-term and short-term roles including retail, administration, promotions, food and beverage attendant and IT support.
- Departments, Faculties and the University Libraries will sometimes lodge their employment opportunities on Careers Online but it is strongly recommended you approach them directly and express your interest in a job and ask if you can leave your resumé.
- University of Melbourne Human Resources (HR) - most jobs on the HR website will be full-time but still worth a look.
- Approach large retailers directly: Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings, Myer to name a few. Managers often prefer you to liaise directly with the local store rather than applying via a central website. Recruiting for casual workers over the Christmas / New Year period often occurs mid-year so start making enquiries then.
- Approach large hospitaliy providers directly: for example, Spotless and Delaware North. Other companies could be sourced via a Yellow Pages search (under function centres).
- Look at special event and seasonal work in Australia for ideas and dates when employment opportunities might be available.
- Community notice boards - look around your local neighbourhood, there may be notice boards in supermarkets with employment opportunities.
- Advertisements in shop windows - businesses often post flyers in their window advertising for staff.
- Local newspaper: this often has casual and part-time jobs in your local area in the classifieds section towards the end of the paper. This is usually delivered to your letter box at home.
- Networking - ask around; friends or family, fellow students, flatmates, neighbours, lecturers, tutors – one of them may know of a job opportunity.
- Approach employers directly - research the organisations you’d like to work for and approach them directly. Use the information on finding hidden opportunities for some ideas.
- Use resources - use our Online Career Tools resources to build your cover letter and resumé and to access information such as Professional Associations and Career Links to help with your research.
Having trouble finding work?
Sometimes employers will ask for experience even for entry-level jobs. If you haven't worked before, you might find it easiest to find something through your network. It is often the case that our first job is with someone that knows us.
Another strategy if you're having difficulty getting a start, is to start with some voluntary work.
Also you could consider doing a short course to improve your skills and enhance your chances of getting a part-time / casual job. Go to Skills Victoria: Learn Local for some ideas and short course providers.
Upskill offers free online training in either Business Administration or Financial Services. Read more...
What’s the difference between part-time and casual?
The difference between part-time and casual is important.
- Part-time employees work regular hours each week and receive the same benefits as a full-timers (such as sick leave and annual leave) but on a proportional or pro-rata basis.
- Casual employees are less likely to have regular or guaranteed hours of work and do not receive sick leave or annual leave but rates of pay are usually higher to make up for this.
What rate of pay should I be receiving?
Pay rates and wages information has the most up to date information:
Should I include all my part-time / casual work on my resumé when I apply for graduate jobs?
Part-time and casual work can help you acquire employability skills that employers value e.g. customer service skills, interpersonal / communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and organisational skills. We therefore generally recommend that you include any part-time or casual work on your resumé.
How can I get some work related to my course or career?
It can be possible to find part-time or casual work that is relevant to your course or career. While the role itself may not be 'professional', it can be related to your intended career field e.g. a marketing student doing telemarketing, or an aspiring teacher working in after-school care. If you have to work to earn money, why not try to find something which can build career-relevant skills at the same time? Look creatively at opportunities you come across - are the tasks and skills relevant? Is the organisation or setting one which could give you exposure to your career field?
Also look at work experience.