Flexible Scheduling Required – How to Hold a Job From One College Semester to Another

Everyone knows that a student’s first priority is to catch up on their coursework. However, it’s equally important for a student to learn and ensure they receive the best quality education possible—even with a job on the side.

That is where flexibility in scheduling comes into play. By utilizing the flexibility of your schedule, you can help better prepare yourself for when it’s time to leave school and join the workforce, where you’ll have your hands full with more than just academia.

The good news is there are plenty of options out there: from doing contract jobs with flexible hours to working from home — whatever you desire!

Starting Early

While holding a job from one college semester to another can be difficult, there are ways to start early and build your resume. Of course, you’ll need to have a plan in place before you start applying for jobs, so think about your skills and interests and how they relate to the type of position you’ll be applying for.

For example, if you’re interested in marketing or customer service, starting your job search early on https://salarship.com/ or any other top job search platforms might make sense. You could also register for classes related to those areas, such as marketing or human resources classes.

Asking Questions

Once you’ve created your plan, it’s time to get started applying for internships and jobs. The first step is finding out what companies are hiring at your target schools and what positions they currently have open. You can also ask friends who’ve recently graduated from the same programs if they know anyone who works for a company near where they studied.

Once you’ve narrowed down which companies are hiring at which programs, it’s time to start sending out applications! Write custom cover letters that highlight your skills and qualifications to give yourself the best shot at each job opportunity.

Using Resources

You can use your college resources to help you land a summer job. The career center or school office can provide information about all kinds of jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities available on campus.

If you don’t live near the campus, there are online options you can pursue just as well. For example, many colleges have Facebook pages or Twitter accounts where they regularly post job listings and information about upcoming events like career fairs and workshops. Research has shown workshops to be an excellent way to supplement your college degree, so leverage them for your job search purposes.

Talking to People You Know

If you’re going to be able to hold a job from one semester to another, you’re going to have to talk to people. One thing that will help is having a good list of potential contacts who are looking for employees.

This list can include people you know personally or people who may not know you but whose names you remember from previous conversations or interviews. You should build up this list slowly over time so that it doesn’t overwhelm you when it comes to the interview process.

Adjusting Your Schedule

If you’re changing schools and want to keep your job, you’ll need to adjust your schedule. You might be able to get an assignment change or simply schedule classes as you normally would.

Be sure to let your manager know what you need from them so they can help accommodate your needs. It may also be possible for them to find a way for you to take time off without putting your position on hold.

Taking a Leave of Absence

Finally, if you have the option, taking a leave of absence without losing your job is usually better than quitting entirely. So, if you need to take an extended leave of absence from college, such as due to illness or family problems, it’s important to let your employer know so they can plan accordingly.

If you can’t take an unpaid leave of absence from school, consider taking a short-term job. You’ll still be able to attend classes and keep your GPA up. In addition, if the job is temporary, you may be able to use it as a stepping stone to another career path.

Final Thoughts

From the start of this article, it is clear that holding a job while in college is no easy feat. However, we have gone through many ways to make the situation work for you and your employer, so if you prioritize your time and make smart choices, you’ll be able to find a way to work that fits your schedule.

The post Flexible Scheduling Required – How to Hold a Job From One College Semester to Another appeared first on Jobacle.com.

Published April 21, 2022

5 Tips For Job Searching While Pregnant

Bringing a baby into the world is a wonderful thing, but some women fear that it will hold them back in their job search. Don’t panic! Before you start looking for a new job, check out these quick tips for job searching while you’re pregnant:

1. Consider Your Obligations

Woman looks for a job while pregnant

Having a baby means having more responsibilities and day-to-day duties. Before you start your job search, you need to consider what obligations you will have for your new baby, job search, and potential new job. It’s important to be honest with yourself about what you’re looking for when you’re considering potential positions.

Here are a few questions you should be asking yourself:

What kind of schedule do I need? Flexible or structured?
How close should I be to a good daycare?
Do I want the ability to work from home?
How far am I willing to commute?

Determine what things are most important for you and your family, then figure out your game plan from there.

2. Be Careful About How You Handle The Subject

Woman interviews for a job while pregnant

If you are pregnant and looking for work, your approach really depends on how much you are showing, according to Work It Daily’s founder and CEO J.T. O’Donnell. In the first trimester, when you aren’t showing yet, you may not be telling anyone since there can be complications and miscarriages. Although you don’t have to share that you are pregnant, keep in mind that when your employer finds out you’re going out on maternity leave in six months, they will feel like you took advantage of them. “I’ve even seen companies start to nitpick and put a person on performance review so they can fire them before their maternity leave,” says O’Donnell. “It happens.”

O’Donnell suggests being honest at the time they make the offer so they know the truth. At this point, they should be excited about working with you and appreciate your honesty. And, if they rescind the offer, you would have grounds for a law case since it’s illegal to discriminate against a pregnant woman.

3. Market Yourself Like Crazy

Woman talks to a potential employer while pregnant

When you are visibly pregnant, you’ll just have to market yourself like crazy and show them that you’ll be very valuable to them in the time leading up to your maternity leave. “I suggest you look specifically for jobs where the company is desperate and needed to hire the person yesterday,” O’Donnell says. “That sense of urgency can work to your advantage.”

If you don’t get hired right away, you may think it’s because of your protruding belly. Yes, it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against you, but without an offer, it’s hard to prove. However, if you can leverage your network and get people to vouch for your effectiveness and value as an employee, you should be able to get referred to a job where the employer will be happy to have you on board, even if you’ll be headed out on maternity leave.

4. Have A Plan Of Action

Young woman job searching while pregnant

If it’s obvious that you’re expecting and you’re still nervous that it will hurt your chances at a job, Mary Ylisela, a health and parenting writer, suggests providing a clear-cut plan of action for balancing your pregnancy and career to your potential employer.

“If you’re seeking a job you’d like to begin after your baby is born, make that clear during the interview and have a plan for childcare that demonstrates you’re prepared to be reliable,” writes Ylisela in Brazen Careerist. If you show the employer that your baby plans will not interfere with your work, you will likely put a potential employer’s concerns at ease. “If you demonstrate your value to the company you’re interviewing with, you have a leg up on other applicants who don’t—without pregnancy even becoming a factor,” Ylisela says.

5. Pay Attention To The Benefits

Woman works while pregnant

While every job searcher should pay attention to benefits (because they count as part of your total compensation), pregnant candidates may see more immediate value in choosing an employer with desirable benefit offerings. Lindsey Pollak, a millennial workplace expert, recommends that pregnant job seekers pay specific attention to the benefits that potential employers are offering during their job search.

Pollak’s work on The Hartford’s My Tomorrow campaign found that pregnancy is the top reason women under 30 claim disability insurance—at 57% of claims for those under 30. Disability insurance that you get through work can help pregnant women take the necessary time off of work by providing an income and resources to help ease the transition back to work. “It’s also worth considering benefits as part of your negotiation with a new employer,” Pollak said. “Because they are part of your total compensation, you shouldn’t be afraid to discuss them in negotiations as you would your salary.”

Job searching while pregnant isn’t easy, but we hope these tips will help you successfully find a job if you’re expecting. If you need more help finding a job while pregnant, we’re here for you.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.