02/09/2026
About to start university in our magical city of York?
First of all… welcome!
Whether you’ve chosen York because of the history, the Minster, the Shambles, the river, the amazing student life (or simply because you fell in love with the place!), you’re about to start a very exciting chapter. And for many students, one of the first things on the list is finding that part-time job to help fund uni life.
So, from a recruitment agency that sees hundreds of applications, here are a few tips to help you stand out:
*Don’t just send the same CV everywhere. Think about what the employer is actually looking for and make sure your CV highlights the skills and experience that are relevant to the role.
*Tell them what you can bring. You might not have lots of work experience yet, but you’ll have plenty of transferable skills. Teamwork, communication, reliability, organisation, customer service, responsibility and time management all count.
*Please don’t overlook your cover letter! A good cover letter can make a HUGE difference. Your CV tells an employer what you’ve done, your cover letter gives you the opportunity to explain why you want the job, why you’re interested in their business and why they should meet you. Even if a cover letter isn’t specifically requested, a short, well-written one can show initiative and enthusiasm, and immediately set you apart from the applications that simply arrive with a CV attached.
*Check your social media. Yes, employers really do look. Make sure your public profiles give the impression you’d be someone they’d be happy to have representing their business.
*Be realistic about your availability. University comes first, so be honest about your timetable and the hours you can genuinely commit to. Employers value reliability more than promises you can’t keep.
And finally…
*Don’t underestimate yourself. Your first job in York might be part-time, temporary or completely unrelated to your degree — but it could give you confidence, new skills, fantastic friendships and experience that will stay with you long after graduation.
So, as you arrive in York and begin this exciting new chapter, remember:
Your degree matters. But so does the experience you gain along the way.
Good luck, enjoy every minute and welcome to York!