In a perfect world, we’d all make enough during college to afford tuition, save some money and maybe spend the last couple of bucks. However, we don’t live in a perfect world, and more often than not, students have to take up a part-time job, like waitressing or retail to make ends meet while in school.
And while you might not think your part-time college job matters in the long run, you can still include it on your resume or CV, because waiting tables on the weekend or working in a trendy clothing boutique tells your future employers way more than you think it does about who you are as an employee.
1. You’re Willing to Do Grunt Work
Let’s not beat around the bush here: Working as a restaurant server, retail employee, or other manual part-time role isn’t easy. These roles are physically and mentally demanding.
Some days, you have to juggle carrying a tray full of food while taking another tables order, or you have to clean the fitting rooms for the umpteenth time while dealing with returned items. Obviously, it’s not glamorous work, but it has to get done. These jobs show your future employers that you are committed to completing a job, no matter how difficult or straining it is and that you are up to do just about anything to make sure the job is done right.
2. You Have Customer Service Experience
Day in and day out, you deal with customers’ wants and needs. One customer wants no cheese on their cheeseburger, and another wants their size in a pair of shoes that are out of stock. While you may think that you bending to the whim of a customer isn’t relevant to your future job, you may want to think again.
You might not deal with customers in the future, but you will definitely deal with clients, managers and even the public. You probably won’t be taking your future boss or client’s lunch order, but your customer service experience will definitely allow you to figure out what they need.
3. You Have Patience
You have definitely heard those crazy stories where someone refused to tip a server, because they had to wait a long time for a table or how someone left a pile of trash in a fitting room. The horror stories from these jobs are endless, and even though they may make your shift a little more difficult, they actually end up toughening you up. Your future employer will probably not only laugh when you tell these stories at the water cooler, but he or she will also admire your tenacity and ability to handle difficult situations under pressure.
4. You Earn Your Keep
Many part-time college jobs are revolving doors of employees with most only lasting a brief period of time. However, if you’re a hard and competent worker, then your manager is probably going to try and keep you around for as long as possible. These few years at the same job might look like you’ve plateaued to some employers, but to the best employers it will show that your skills and work ethic were so successful that your manager or supervisor wanted to hold onto you and your skills.
When it comes to applying to that dream job or internship, don’t hesitate to list your part-time college job on your resume. Instead, be proud to put it on there. It’s at these jobs where you will learn some of the hardest and most important lessons when it comes to being an employee, and someday, when you’re an employer looking to hire someone, you’ll know that these jobs are usually indicative of a great employee.
