If you’re a college student, at the time this article is being written, winter break has just started. Finals are done, you have a few extra hours in your day, and you might be starting to think about your long-term career goals. A lot of students work while they get their degree, and it’s nice if the hours they put in can do more than just help pay the bills.
Students need jobs that don’t interfere with their class schedule, so flexibility is key. They also need to devote the bulk of their time and energy to coursework, so a job with manageable stress levels is also important.
The best opportunities help workers develop skills employers want so students can easily transition to their long-term career when they finish their degree. These four college student jobs typically work with student schedules and they also look great on a resume.
Bank Teller
It might be an entry-level job, but time spent working as a bank teller will develop marketable skills almost all employers are looking for. A bank teller does so much more than just take deposits and cash checks. Tellers are the faces that most frequently interact with the public. They handle money, input financial data, solve customer problems and impact public perception of their financial institution. College students can add skills like these to their resume:
- Cash handling
- Attention to detail
- Mathematical skills
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Bank product promotions and referrals
- Conflict resolution
- Typing
- Data entry skills
- Spoken and written communication skills
Tutor
Helping another student learn is rewarding, it comes with flexible hours and often pays better than other entry-level jobs. It’s also one of the best jobs to put on your resume as you approach graduation.
Being a successful tutor proves you can take what you know and pass it on. You’re likely to be adaptable and dependable. Whether you acted as a volunteer tutor for a nonprofit or received compensation for your services, list your experience on your resume along with any of the following applicable skills:
- Time management
- Active listening
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Problem solving
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Leadership
- Motivational speaking
- Time management
- Organizational skills
It’s also a good idea to list subject-specific skills. If, for example, you taught English as a Second Language, MS Office or high school geometry, note it on your resume. If it’s relevant, also list certifications (CPR/First Aid, Early Childhood Education etc.) you obtained to become eligible for tutoring.
Barista
Being able to make a good beverage is a skill you’ll never regret developing, and some companies that hire baristas also provide tuition benefits that can help you pay for your degree. But did you also know job experience gained at your daily grind (pun totally intended) translates into skills employers value?
Successful baristas blend customer service skills with attention to detail and the ability to multitask. They have a positive attitude toward their team and they encourage repeat business from customers. They can persuade customers to try new products, upsell merchandise, measure and mix accurately and stay calm under pressure. If you logged hours as a barista, let employers know you developed skills like these:
- Strong attention to detail
- Cashiering/money handling
- Commitment to keeping customers happy
- Point of sale transactions
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Enthusiasm and creativity
- Accuracy and efficiency
- Time management, stress management
- High level of professionalism
- Reliability
- Knowledge of and adherence to health and safety codes
- Inventory tracking and order placement
- Product knowledge
Support Desk/Customer Service
Customer service can happen before, during or after a shopping experience, and there’s a need for help desk providers within almost every organization. Employers like to hire staff members with a customer service background because those candidates likely have already developed strong listening and speaking skills. They have the ability to solve problems and work through conflict. When challenges arise, they can be both logical and empathetic.
Customer service skills enhance anyone’s resume, even if you’re not looking for a related position as your next job. If you have skills like these, add them to your application.
- Clear communication skills
- Creativity and resourcefulness
- Problem solving
- Ability to use positive language
- Empathy
- Interpersonal skills
- Decision-making
- Extensive product/company knowledge
- Solid time management
- Tenacity
- Willingness to learn
- Computer/data entry skills
- Teamwork
- Proficiency in another language
Customer service is at the heart of almost every business. Happy employees and clients lead to growth, so people who communicate well and solve problems are in high demand.
Entry Level Jobs Near Tyler TX
Our Texas staffing agency specializes in hiring for accounting, oil and gas, customer service, IT, financial services and more. We have openings for degreed professionals, and we also partner with recent college grads to help them find work in their desired field. To see what’s available right now, click here.
