Find a part-time job in Glasgow, YES YOU CAN !

GET A PART-TIME JOB was one of my major objectives when studying in Scotland. 

The “Scottish academic way of studying” is really different from the French system due to a relatively low number of formal tuition hours (consisting in lectures and tutorials; around 15 hours). Then much more time is dedicated to personal homework (e.g. preparation of courses, readings, team work meetings…) and of course part-time job. As I presented in a previous article there is the UWS the Employability Link  where you can get advice how to write your CV (in the UK format; different expectations from the French one); cover letter, part-time jobs opportunities, internships…

I’ve done some research at the beginning of the year by sending several applications to Bars, shops, restaurants. I devoted lots of time but “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”.

I eventually found a position at the Employability Link as a “bar waiter” for Sodexho Prestige Scotland for the Xmas’ period. I applied for and received the above job offer and a work contract after several weeks of waiting. I signed it and sent it back. In the mid-November I was contacted to follow the introduction meeting explaining the history of the company, safety measures, management team… and most relevant information concerning the job itself. 

Then we (we were around 25 Scots and one French… me) received the formal “Qualifications for Scottish Licensed Premises” presentation followed by an exam to obtain the “Certificate for Scottish Personal Licence Holders”. This licence allows you to sell and serve alcohol in Scotland [this measure has been implemented in 2009 (not really sure of the date) to deal with issues on health and behaviors caused by alcohol. From what I’ve seen on the streets during week-ends… it is sometime really appalling].  As a bar waiter I was required to obtain this licence.

I used to work during week-ends preceding the Christmas time (in average from 5 pm to 2 am) as a bar waiter / kitchen porter / plate waiter at the Hampden stadium. The Scottish national stadium (football games, concerts…) which is not only a stadium but a real place where conference, exhibitions, fair and restaurant can take place. The “Xmas” was composed of around 200 guests related to the same company or club having a common meal (with the extra drinks to order; my job) and then from 9 pm to 2 am party time with the band. Then I’ve continued until the end of February working for special evenings.

I was really pleased to:

• Work with a dynamic team of young Scottish students.
• Deal with Scottish guests; the REAL Scottish accent was difficult to understand  during the first nights (even more when you have a band playing near you) however it went better and better over the time.
• Get a first job experience (resist to the stress, be well-organized, have good communication skills) in the Hospitality industry.
• Earn some money (around £ 6 per hour without any taxes as a student) [minimum wage in Scotland is £ 5,93 per hour for people aged over 22].

To sum up: yes it is possible to get a job during your studies in Scotland (I’ve also worked one day at the UWS preparing thousands of envelops with surveys for post-graduate students… much less fun). Lots of my Scottish friends were having a part-time job. Andrzej (see the article in the January section) has also got a job at the Ibrox Stadium (Rangers Stadium) as a staff for football games. Whatever you are Scottish or non-Scottish you should be able to get a temporary part-time job.