International students come first in the race for a part-time job. Part-time work helps pay the bills and sometimes serves as a gateway into the social scene, providing the opportunity to acquire local experience and soft skills that complement one’s academics. But getting a job in the first place can’t be quite that easy. I hope to shed some light from my own experiences and offer some learning points that students should consider about part-time work during their studies.

Be the First One to Do Everything

If I had to give one golden rule, it would be: be the first one to act. Apply for your IRP and PPSN as soon as you have landed in Ireland. These are the two mandates needed to enter any working contract in the country. The sooner you get this out of the way, the sooner you can concentrate on applying to jobs.

In the job-seeking race, any delay in extension can delay one for a few precious days, and within these days, many jobs could have been applied for and/or even acquired. Through my work, I’ve come across many students who struggled to find part-time jobs simply because they delayed these essential steps, placing them low on their list of priorities.

Be Patient – Things Take Time

One of those misconceptions common with fresh students is that part-time jobs will be forthcoming in days or weeks upon the student’s arrival. Quite the contrary. It took me a while before getting my first job, and in the intervals, I could see others getting extremely anxious or frustrated. Trust me, it is one hundred percent normal.

Jobs do not fall into your lap. You might have to wait, even a couple of months, before you get a callback. So, keep calm and composed. Use the time to prepare a killer CV, start learning about how to fine-tune it for specific roles, and get networking. 

Competition is Real

Ireland has considered itself to be a great place for international students; hence, yearly, student numbers have been growing. Naturally, this means more competition not only for courses and accommodation but for part-time jobs too.

Most jobs, whether on campus or in local stores, receive dozens of applications. Hence, it has got to be persistence. Apply every single day. Don’t limit yourself to just a few positions and wait.

Have a walk into those stores with your CV printed out, check out university job boards, sign up on local job portals like Indeed.ie, Jobs.ie, and LinkedIn, and follow social media pages that list opportunities. It might feel like a numbers game sometimes, but consistency pays off.

My Part-Time Work Journey in Ireland

I am thankful to have had two part-time roles during my stay in Ireland – very different from one another but mutually rewarding. 

Firstly, I was selected as a Student Ambassador of the International Office, Maynooth University. This allowed me to represent the university, making student-centric content and interacting with prospective students in India. It helped me develop my communication skills and made me feel more connected with the university community. I believe I would find out about this opportunity via the internal mail system of the university; so, as a student, do keep an eye on your student inbox!

Secondly, I worked as a Customer Assistant for Centra in the local convenience store. It provided me with hands-on experience in retail and improved my customer service skills, giving me a good insight into Irish work culture. This social interaction with people from different walks of life also helped build up my self-confidence to deal with routine work scenarios.

Some Final Tips Before You Begin

Make sure to tailor every CV for every application. Highlight customer service, teamwork, or communication skills based on the description.

Get out of your comfort zone and drop CVs in shops and cafés in your area. Even a small conversation with the manager is helpful. 

Utilize the university’s support and resources − Maynooth’s Careers Connect portal offers part-time job support, CV and interview guidance.

Flexible hours – weekends, evenings, or split shifts – these all could be a great opportunity! 

Conclusion

Landing a part-time job in Ireland is a pathway that requires preparation, patience, and perseverance. Be an early bird, keep calm, and keep applying – you will make it! Working on campus, in retail, and hospitality will enrich your student life as well as prepare you for the work world.

For an incoming student, I hope my journey sheds some light and offers encouragement; After all, it’s not merely about landing the job, it’s about the growth that comes with it.