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“To defend and extend the rights of our students by proactively creating and maximising opportunities”

Employment Advice

We know how hard it is to get a job whilst you're at University and so we want you to know that if you need advice with you CV or what to expect during an interview then you can come and see us in your Students' Union.

As well as us, there are lots of other places you can go for help and advice within the University so that you can earn some cash whilst you are still here and then get that dream job afterwards too. Our tip to you is to get as much experience as possible whilst you're at Derby as the competition in the world of work is tough - luckily enough, your Students' Union can help you with that too.

FAQs

How do I get my National Insurance number?
You should have been sent a National Insurance number automatically just before your 16th birthday if both of the following apply:
- you live in the UK
- your parents or guardians are getting Child Benefit for you
If you haven’t received a National Insurance number contact the National Insurance Registrations Helpline on 0845 915 7006 for advice. Lines are open 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.

For more information on your N.I Number and paying National Insurance, please click on the ‘National Insurance’ link at the bottom of this page.
Do I get minimum wage if I'm a student?
Almost all workers who work in the UK are entitled to the national minimum wage. But there are some groups who aren't entitled, including:
- self-employed people
- children who are still of compulsory school age
My employer hasn't paid me, what should I do?

All employees are entitled to be paid for the work they have done. They are also entitled to be paid if they are ready and willing to work but their employer has not provided them with any work to do, unless your employment contract says otherwise.

If you're an employee, you're entitled to be paid if you can't work because you are off sick or away from work on maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave, or parental leave. You are also allowed a certain number of days paid holiday a year.

In most of these situations, you are entitled to your usual wage whilst off work. There are some exceptions to these rules. For example, parents on maternity leave, paternity or adoption leave, or parental leave, are entitled to a certain amount of paid leave but the law sets out the rate at which this must be paid and it may not be as much as their usual wage.

If you are employee on sick pay, your contract may give you less pay than your normal pay. By law, most employees are entitled to the legal minimum statutory sick pay. Your contract may give you more pay than this.

You may be entitled to unpaid time off work in other circumstances, for example, in a family emergency or on jury service.

If you are still unsure why your employer has not paid you then you need to write to them to ask and give them a deadline as to when you expect a response. A copy of this should be sent to your Trade Union, if you are a member of one and also keep one for yourself. If you are in financial difficulty because of not being paid then the University’s Student Wellbeing Service may be able to offer you some assistance.
Where can I find part-time employment?
The University of Derby offers a Student Employment Service as part of the Careers Development Centre and this is a great place to find work which fits around your study whilst you are at the University of Derby. To register your details with the SEA you need to follow the link at the bottom of this page and sign up to receive vacancy positions which will be advertised directly to you, the students.

If you live in Derby then you can try these other options:
- Westfield Shopping Centre
- Derby Telegraph newspaper
- The local Job Centre Plus
- Join an employment agency in the city
- Look in shop windows when you get to Derby
If you live in Buxton then you can try these other options:
- One of the many bars and hotels in the town
- The local JobCentre Plus
- The Buxton Advertiser local newspaper
- Join Forward Recruitment for temporary work
I want to complain about my employer, but who to?

If you’re unhappy about something that your employer or a colleague has said or done, you should always try and talk about it with them. It’s a good idea to try to sort out problems early on. It’s a good idea to write down your concerns and anything that happens. This will be useful as a record and reminder of the situation.

If the issue is still unresolved, then you should put in a grievance. A grievance is a way of more formally raising your concerns, problems or complaints about work with your employer.

For further info on how to raise a grievance check out the ‘Making a Formal Grievance’ link at the bottom of this page.
Where can I get information about my rights in my workplace?

Your rights at work will depend on:-

Your statutory rights- Statutory rights are legal rights based on laws passed by Parliament. Nearly all workers, regardless of the number of hours per week they work, have certain legal rights

and

Your contract of employment -Your contract of employment is the agreement made between your employer and you (employee). This could be in the form of a written agreement or what has been agreed verbally between you. In addition, your contract of employment will also include ‘custom and practice’ agreements- things that may not be written but usually happens.

Your contract of employment cannot take away rights you have by law. However, employment law is complex, for further information on rights at work click on the ‘My Rights at Work’ link at the bottom of this page.
I'm being bullied at work, who can I tell?

Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. You shouldn’t have to put up with bullying at work. Employers have a ‘duty of care’ to their employees and this includes dealing with bullying at work. There are measures you can take if you are being bullied.

Try to sort it out informally first, speak to the person who is bullying you to make them understand the effect their behaviour is having on you.

If the situation doesn’t get better as a result of speaking to the bully then it is best to talk it over with someone, namely your line manager or their direct line manager.

If that is not possible, seek help your human resources department or your trade union representative. Keep a diary of the bullying behaviour, e.g. times, dates and how you are feeling. You can make a formal complaint through your employer’s grievance procedure.
Where can I get some careers advice from?

The University of Derby has a Careers Development Centre with trained and experienced Careers Advisors and have offices within the Library at Kedleston Road or next to the Dome Shop on the Devonshire Campus in Buxton. To make an appointment you need to contact the following telephone number(s):

Derby – 01332 591316 or email careers@derby.ac.uk
Buxton – 01298 28324 or email careersbuxton@derby.ac.uk
How do I make my CV look great?
A CV is the most flexible and convenient way to make applications. It conveys your personal details in the way that presents you in the best possible light. A CV is a marketing document in which you are marketing something: yourself! You need to "sell" your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience to employers. It can be used to make multiple applications to employers in a specific career area. For this reason, many large graduate recruiters will not accept CVs and instead use their own application form.

The things which you need to cover in your CV are as follows:
- Make it targeted on the specific job or career area for which you are applying and brings out the relevant skills you have to offer
- Ensure that it is carefully and clearly laid out: logically ordered, easy to read and not cramped
- Try to be informative but concise
- Most of all, make sure that it is all accurate in content, spelling and grammar. If you mention attention to detail as a skill, make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect!
Where can I go to get experience if every job I apply for needs it?

One excellent way of getting experience of leadership, time management, volunteering and other essential skills which employers look for is right here, in your Students’ Union. We actively encourage and support all of our members to become great leaders through sports clubs, committees, student groups and societies. We also have dedicated staff to help you set up new volunteering opportunities where and when you want them. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to find out how you can get involved and become the person to get the job when you finish your studies.
Where can I find local volunteering opportunities?
You can usually find lots of different volunteering opportunities right here, at University. Either through the Volunteering Unit at Kedleston Road or the Work Placement Office in the Dome at Buxton.

Derby – 01332 591316 or email volunteering@derby.ac.uk
Buxton -01332 594303 or email b.offord@derby.ac.uk

Volunteering whilst you are a student will significantly improve your chances of getting a job after University and equip you with a huge variety of transferrable skills to use in your chosen employment.

External agencies include:
- Community Action Derby
- Buxton Volunteer Centre
Check out the links at the bottom of this page for more information.

Employment Advice

FAQs

How do I get my National Insurance number?

Do I get minimum wage if I'm a student?

My employer hasn't paid me, what should I do?

Where can I find part-time employment?

I want to complain about my employer, but who to?

Where can I get information about my rights in my workplace?

I'm being bullied at work, who can I tell?

Where can I get some careers advice from?

How do I make my CV look great?

Where can I go to get experience if every job I apply for needs it?

Where can I find local volunteering opportunities?

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