Navigating the Side-Hustle Economy: Student Insights #2

In this economy, students really have to lock in to survive. Otherwise, say goodbye to matcha lattes and spontaneous Flixbus trips. But finding a job and clocking shifts isn’t exactly easy, especially if you’re an international student juggling morning seminars and random 2 a.m. night outs. So we asked some fellow part-time warriors for their insights on landing a gig that covers your daily sweet treat and still lets you hit those midnight deadlines.

1. Just walk in, seriously

During the holidays, I printed about 20 copies of my CV and walked around tourist spots, handing them out in person, just walking in and asking if they were hiring. Only three places called me back, but by then, I had already found a job at a bakery through a friend who was leaving and needed someone to replace them. I messaged the manager directly, sent my CV, and started working the very next day. The job isn’t too hard, and I sometimes work weekends depending on my class schedule. When it’s quiet, I even use the time to catch up on homework or tasks on my phone. You can definitely find jobs online, but honestly, the most effective way is still just showing up and asking.

Roza, Kyrgyzstan

2. Sit Down, Be NO Humble

Securing an interview after hundreds of ghosted applications feels like a miracle, and you better not shy away from that chance! I used to get really nervous and tried too hard to seem cool and collected. Looking back, I think I undersold myself several times by trying to be too professional and low-key. Remember: job interviews are not the place to be overly cool or humble!

As a student, you might not have a grand portfolio yet, so make the most of what you have. For example, if you were vice-head of a 7-member psychology club for a year, you could say: “I spearheaded event coordination and led a dedicated team, developing leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills that boosted the club’s growth.” It’s not a lie, just a LinkedIn dialect that you’ll need to learn in the corporate world. Because had I not mentioned that experience in my interview, would I even be writing these posts for you now?

Erik, Kazakhstan

3. Secret listings?

I’ve worked in different companies across various fields, starting in Human Resources, then moving into Communications and Project Management, and now working in Talent Operations. One of the biggest tips I can give is to check out student job agencies. Many companies don’t post all their vacancies on LinkedIn, and these agencies often have exclusive listings. So keeping up with company and student job agency websites can lead you to some hidden opportunities.

When building your CV, make sure to highlight all your experiences, even the non-professional ones. Whether you were part of a student council, volunteered at events, or babysat for your neighbors, those roles taught you real, transferable skills. The trick is to reframe them in a way that aligns with the job you’re applying for. As someone who’s worked in HR, I can confidently say that recruiters care just as much about your potential and soft skills as they do about your job titles or formal experience.

Halfid, Panama

4. Bait-and-switch at checkout 5

I applied for a self-checkout position at IKEA, something simple. But on the first day, they threw me behind a real cashier with full responsibilities, handling money, scanning items, and even told me to bring my own cash float. I stayed the whole day because I didn’t want to be impulsive, but I immediately knew this wasn’t what I signed up for. So I just didn’t go back. And honestly, that was one of the best decisions I made, because as students, we should be allowed to try things out, see what fits, and walk away when something doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but also know when to say no and walk away when something is not right. Your time and energy are worth protecting. Just be careful with contracts, because some places will try to lock you in legally even if the job turns out to be nothing like what they promised.

Viki, Hungary

5. Internationals, aim for international

I work part-time at NIQ, a global intelligence company. I do about 20 hours a week, mostly from home or a coffee shop. My schedule is up to me, and I can even change it last-minute. I applied to around 10 jobs on profession.hu and barely got any replies since I had no experience, but I was really lucky to land this one. My advice for international students is to look for jobs at global companies. It’s not just about the language barrier, international workplaces also tend to be more flexible and understanding of student life. Hungarian-based companies are often more traditional, expecting you to be in the office constantly, which doesn’t really work with uni. Remote options make a huge difference.

Lilla, Hungary