Finding a job during the school holidays can be a fantastic way for students and school leavers in the UK to gain real-world experience, build confidence and earn some extra income. Whether you’re a university student on summer break or a recent school leaver seeking to enter the workforce, holiday jobs can offer a valuable stepping stone toward your long-term career goals.
The school holiday period presents an ideal opportunity to develop essential skills such as teamwork, time management and communication while also gaining exposure to professional environments. For young people at the beginning of their career journey, it’s an important time to start developing a CV that demonstrates both initiative and responsibility.
This guide outlines practical strategies for finding a job during the school holidays, from choosing the right type of role to navigating the application and interview process.
The Benefits of Working During the Holidays
Gaining work experience as a student offers more than financial rewards. It provides the chance to enhance your CV, discover your strengths and interests and build professional relationships. According to the British Youth Council, students who engage in employment or work-based learning early in life are more likely to transition successfully into the workforce after education.
In addition, part-time and holiday roles allow you to develop soft skills such as adaptability and customer service, which are highly valued by employers across all industries. Many summer jobs also offer flexible working hours that can be arranged around other responsibilities, making them particularly well-suited to students.
Identifying Suitable Roles
When starting your job search, it’s important to understand which types of roles are commonly available to students and first-time jobseekers during school holidays. These roles are often entry-level but can provide valuable learning experiences and growth opportunities.
Retail and hospitality sectors are traditionally popular, especially in high streets and tourist areas, as businesses often need extra help to manage increased foot traffic during the holidays. Other options include temporary office support roles, summer camps or childcare work, event staffing, and even local government or library support roles. Students with specific skills, such as tutoring or IT proficiency, may also find freelance or short-term roles that align with their interests.
In many areas of London, opportunities also arise in public sector organisations and community programmes looking to support youth employment through funded initiatives.
Preparing a Strong CV
For students and school leavers, a clear and concise CV is essential when applying for roles, especially if you have limited work experience. Your CV should highlight relevant school projects, volunteering, extracurricular activities and any personal achievements that demonstrate your skills and work ethic.
Focus on transferable skills such as punctuality, teamwork, attention to detail and a willingness to learn. Include your most recent academic qualifications or predicted grades and tailor your personal statement to reflect enthusiasm for the role you’re applying for. Even if you’re applying for a part-time or casual role, employers appreciate candidates who take the time to present themselves professionally.
Resources like the National Careers Service offer free CV tools and guidance for young jobseekers and organisations such as Global Solution Services (GSS) also provide CV support and interview preparation.
Where to Find Job Opportunities
There are several platforms and strategies you can use to search for holiday jobs. Online job boards such as Indeed.co.uk, StudentJob UK and Employment 4 Students (E4S) frequently advertise seasonal roles suitable for students. Local businesses may also display job adverts in-store or on their websites, particularly in retail and hospitality.
Colleges, sixth forms and universities often have dedicated careers services or noticeboards with job listings. In addition, many councils run summer employment schemes or training programmes that provide short-term paid opportunities to young people, especially those in boroughs such as Greenwich and Merton.
Social media can also be a helpful tool for job hunting. Employers may advertise openings in local Facebook groups and networking via LinkedIn can help students discover internships or short-term projects that are not widely advertised.
Applying and Interviewing
Once you’ve identified suitable roles and submitted your application, the next step is often a short interview. This may take place in person, over the phone or via video call. While these interviews may be more informal than those for full-time positions, preparation remains important.
Take time to understand the business or organisation and be ready to explain why you want the job. Highlight your strengths and how you can contribute, even if you don’t have prior employment experience. Many employers are looking for reliability, enthusiasm and a positive attitude above all else.
If you feel nervous about interviewing, consider booking a one-to-one session with a GSS career adviser. They can help you practise common interview questions and boost your confidence.
Managing Expectations and Being Flexible
Flexibility can increase your chances of success when applying for jobs during school holidays. Some employers need workers for early mornings, evenings or weekends and being open to different shift patterns can give you a competitive edge.
Not every application will be successful, especially during competitive periods like summer. However, persistence is key. Keep applying, seek feedback when possible and use every interview as a learning experience.
Remember that any job, regardless of the industry or length of time, has the potential to provide valuable experience and transferable skills.
Improving Your Employability
Even if you’re unable to secure a job immediately, the school holidays offer a valuable window to invest in personal development. Online training, volunteering and career workshops are all great ways to improve your employability.
At GSS, we offer free training programmes and webinars designed to build skills, confidence and job readiness. These include sessions on interview techniques, CV writing, workplace expectations and more. Many of our programmes are funded and tailored to young people across London boroughs like Greenwich and Merton.
Online platforms such as FutureLearn and OpenLearn also offer free short courses in topics ranging from digital skills to personal finance ideal for students looking to upskill before the next academic year.
A Look at the Numbers
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that around 38% of students in the UK engage in part-time or summer work. According to a report by HighFliers Research, students who have work experience are 35% more likely to be employed within six months of leaving education.
Furthermore, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) highlights that employers increasingly value real-world experience and soft skills alongside academic achievement. This underscores the importance of seasonal work in building long-term career prospects.
Conclusion
The school holidays offer much more than just a break from studies they present a valuable opportunity to explore the working world, earn income, build confidence and start developing the career skills that will serve you long into the future. Whether you’re looking for short-term employment to support your goals or to gain experience in a field you’re passionate about, starting early with a proactive and informed approach will give you an edge in a competitive market.
Remember, finding your first job or a temporary summer role may take time and persistence, but each step brings you closer to a clearer career path and more opportunities ahead.
If you’re not sure where to begin or need expert advice, Global Solution Services (GSS) is here to help. We offer free, one-to-one career guidance, job readiness support, CV and interview coaching and access to accredited training programmes tailored to students, school leavers and young jobseekers across London.