step 1

Find work to fit your life

Very few students will be able to take on a full time job, so chances are you’ll be looking at part-time or casual work. Casual work usually means your hours may change week to week, but you’ll be on a higher hourly rate. Part time work is similar to full time, in that you’ll be on a set salary, but you’ll spend less time at the coalface.

If you’re looking to increase your income, you should think about setting up a budget for both your time, and your money. This way, you’ll be able to figure out how many free hours a week you have to work, and how much money you’ll need to make per week to cover your costs.

step 2

Sort out the basics

As you start hitting the job listing sites to see what’s out there, there are a few housekeeping tasks you should take care of to make yourself the most attractive candidate to potential employers:

  1. Resume game strong

    Seriously, first impressions count. If you’ve never written a CV before, there are templates online to help get you started. Be succinct, be honest, and don’t be afraid to use your attributes to your advantage. Make yourself stand out!

  2. #SMH

    You may think we’re joking, but when employers are seeking more information about a candidate, they do check people’s social media profiles. If your online self has a few skeletons in the closet, clean up that profile!

  3. TFN

    You might not have needed one before, but you’ll need a Tax File Number now more than ever. Head to the ATO website, or Google TFN ATO for info on how to apply, and make sure that when you start work, you can get paid!

step 3

Don't settle!

When you get your first nibble of interest from an employer, it can be easy to jump at it, without thinking about the reality of having to work that job.

We’re not saying you should turn down good money, but if you know yourself, and have your heart set on a certain type of work, or a particular workplace, don’t be afraid to stick to your guns and be persistent.

Work should not be the main priority in your life at this point – study should be, so make sure that whatever job you consider is going to work around your educational commitments.

step 4

When can you start?

So, you’ve got ‘that call’ from an employer, and they want you to come in for a trial. Make sure that when it comes time to get paid, you’ve made the right choice for your banking needs.

  1. Transactional Account

    Usually, people have their pay deposited into a transactional, or everyday account. These are designed for everyday use, and are designed to suit your needs. If you want a simple, no frills account – we’ve got it. If you want unlimited transactions and no fees, we’ve got it.

    Check out our everyday accounts

  2. Savings Account

    As your income rolls in, it’s a great idea to put some aside to cover contingencies, or for a specific goal, like a car or holiday. Make saving easy with an account designed to help you grow your balance by rewarding good saving habits.

    Check out our Life Saver Account