7 good tips on how to make a job search as a student

How to apply for a student job

You may have heard that it can be advantageous to acquire a student job during your studies. In addition to greater financial leeway, a student job can also give you better opportunities to gain a foothold in the labour market once you have completed your education.

Indicative studies show, among other things, that employment among recent graduates who have had student jobs is around 20% higher than those who have not had a job alongside their studies. Other studies also highlight that recent graduates who have had a student job earn DKK 2000 more per month than the group of recent graduates who did not have a student job.

Thus, a student job can be a good way to kick start your career. It gives you valuable, practical experience, which many companies demand.

But how do you secure a student job? In this article, we give you 7 good tips on how to look for a student job.

1. Consider your student job options early in the education process

It is important that early in your education you consider which student jobs are relevant to your education. Here you can for example ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you find exciting to work with?

• What are you good at and what can you contribute?

Your considerations about what you want to get out of the study work are a step on the way to creating a better picture of who you are and what you can do as a professional.

Once you have a better idea of what you want to do, you can move on to the next step.

2. Use your network

Your network is a good place to start when you need to find a student job. Here you can for example get help from your tutor, older students, or your supervisor, who can make you smarter about where you can find study relevant work and how you can prepare the best possible application.

You can also use job portals when looking for student jobs. We will take a closer look at this in the next section.

3. Use job portals

In addition to your network, you can use job portals when you need to find a student job. Here you can make use of Findjobhub or similar Danish platforms, where you can easily and clearly look for work.

You can also check LinkedIn, as numerous small and large Danish companies publish job advertisements here daily.

4. Write an unsolicited application

You can write an unsolicited application to the workplace if you would like to work in a specific area, or at a specific workplace where there are no immediate job advertisements. It may also be a good idea to call the employer instead of writing an application. This often makes a good impression as you show a clear, keen interest.

5. Take plenty of time to write a CV and a motivated application

It is crucial that it is easy for the employer to see that you are the right candidate. Here you can for exampe put effort into drawing up a clear and well formulated CV and prepare a sharply motivated application.

In addition, it can be advantageous to create a LinkedIn profile where you add your education and any previous work experience.

6. Prepare thoroughly before the job interview

It is completely natural to be nervous before a job interview. You can alleviate nervousness and at the same time give a better impression if you have prepared before the job interview.

Your preparation can involve a thorough review of the company where you are applying for a student job. You can also benefit from trying to get a better overview of the industry in which the company operates.

You will probably also be asked to introduce yourself, so it may be a good idea to prepare a short, professional presentation. Here it can be good to link your previous experiences to your new job. Avoid mentioning redundant things, for example your age or where you live. 

7. You can advantageously emphasise voluntary work

Remember that voluntary work and similar work experience are also relevant when you are looking for a student job. Here you also get the tools to work as part of a team and take responsibility. It is, among other things, characteristics a prospective employer looks for in the hiring process.