Surviving Overseas – Part 3: Part-time/Casual Work

For the last part on the 'Surviving Overseas' series, this post focuses on part-time or casual work. While 'part-time' and 'casual' sound like two words that are interchangeable in meanings, they are seen different in the New Zealand workplace. For part-time, you have an agreement with your boss and he/she will give you work on the set days that you are available; for casual, you only have to inform your boss your availability and you will only work on your available days should your boss need you. In terms of contract, you do have to sign an employment contract if you are a part-timer, but you don't have to if you are only a casual worker. 

With that said, you may be curious as to why did I decide to include this topic as the final entry to this series.

You see, whether you are an international or domestic student, most of us are not born with a golden spoon. And now that we have to live away from home, it becomes our responsibility to pay our bills and expenses on our own. Some of us would try to get scholarships or loans to help ease the financial burden. The rest of us will have to find means to support ourselves, all while making sure we stay on top of our studies. The solution: get a part-time job! Or casual, if part-time isn't available. 

#1 – Prepare your CV/Resume

My advice is to prepare a CV/resume long before you start on your hunt. That way, you can focus handing them out when you go about enquiring for availability. I would suggest searching online to see what is the template that is used in the country you're applying for. Different countries would have different requirements, so make sure you prepare accordingly before you pass out your CV/resume! Universities will often hold CV/resume workshops, which is often free for students; so attend the workshop and get a country-specific feedback for your CV/resume. Prepare hard copies of your CV/resume if you will be going door-to-door in search of availability in person – that way you can leave your information with the business and they will be able to inform you should they be interested in hiring. Win-Win!

#2 – Manage your schedule 

With your study schedule at hand, you are free to discuss your availability with your boss. With that said, there may be times when you can't work on the days you formerly said you can. If it's a one-time occasion, and you know that you 100% cannot skip out on your other commitment, inform your boss as soon as you have that information. This is because your boss will need to reschedule around and have someone replace you on the day you can't work, so the earlier your boss is informed the earlier they are able to make the necessary arrangement to replace you. Unless it's last-minute occasion like if you fell sick the night before the day you're due for work, take responsibility and inform at the earliest time possible.

This goes to include other not-as-urgent arrangements. I'm talking about having that essay that is due the next day, which you might have neglected because you've been revising for a test on that same day. 

(Ok, it is urgent in a way, but you and I know that is avoidable with a good schedule, yes?) 

You can take the day off, but I would suggest giving your boss at least a week's notice in advance as a heads up. Trust me, nobody likes a last minute no-show with that reason, even if it's a valid reason that would cause major problems for your studies. 

Personally, I never took time off for assignments/essays, I made sure to work on them so I can finish way before the due date to avoid all this complication (and unneeded stress, like thanks, but no thanks). My reasons were mostly field trips (mandatory, also have actual field work) and if I weren't physically in town (going back to my home country, or a vacation with family to celebrate graduation). Obviously the other days are exam days, which for some reason always involves Saturday, which your boss definitely should give you the day off (and maybe the day before or after too, like in my case).

#3 – Manners maketh man (and woman)

Being early/on time for the appointed interview and to work, as well as informing your boss your availability as well as any changes to said availability – are all important factors in building up a good reputation for yourself in both your current and your future workplace. Have a good attitude with others, especially if your job requires you to work as a team. Yes, the lone wolf concept sounds cool, but wolves generally hunt in packs and are more efficient that way. Avoid the gossip mill, and if you are unable to get out of it, just politely smile and focus on your work. It is crucial to build up your team work skills and ability to follow instructions now, which will come in handy when you need to ask your boss to be your work reference for that important job in the future. 

#4 – No. phones. 

Unless it's an emergency, don't play games or check social media while you're on duty. Depending on how long your break is, you can check Facebook or collect some energy during your break time. Remember, you got hired to work, your time in exchange for money that can be used to pay off expenses or hobbies. Another no-no is listening to music via your earphones. Sure, if you're working on your own and you know you can handle your job well then go right ahead. But if you're working with others and your colleagues need your help, leave your ears open so you are able to hear what they say and help in what they ask. Don't make a rookie mistake of (albeit unintentionally) ignoring your boss just because you were jamming to the latest pop song via your earphones. Look at #3 as to why.

#5 – Practice makes perfect!

If at first you don't succeed, just try, try again! Not everyone becomes a whiz on their first day of work; so practice until you get it right. I remembered when I first started work at a motel, I would get confused and forget to do something because I got overwhelmed by the number of things I have to do. Thankfully, with the help of my boss and my seniors, I overcame and adapt to my new surroundings. Not only I was able to stay on top of my game (AKA my assigned duties), but I was also able to chip in and help my colleagues to stay on top of their game too. Sure, I'm not required to help them. But a little help goes a long way, which end up us creating a new work culture of helping each other out. The old culture emphasised on individual completion of their duties, which was way less efficient than the new culture of helping each other out. 

Final Remarks

If you haven't had work experience before starting university, the prospect of working part-time while juggling university may sound daunting. Or at least that was how I felt. Sure, there are days when I just wanted to take a day off because I might have gone a little bit over the rail doing my best on the balancing act, but most of the time I survived. I believe the two main take-aways for excelling in part-time/casual work are to: 1) have a good, well-organised schedule, and 2) have a good personality and attitude towards work and other people. As long as you have these two in order, you will do well with whatever you put your mind to. I mean, I knew a friend who handled both work and university life, and on top of these two, she was the Vice President of a club and did volunteer work. 

Mad respect. 

Well, that concludes the 'Surviving Overseas series'! I hope you all have enjoyed reading this series so far! If this is your first post to this series, click on the label 'Surviving Overseas series' to read the other two posts! 

See you all in the next post!

~ RieRie