Part Time Jobs

Why Work Part Time?

There are a number of different reasons people choose to work at part time jobs. For example:

• You’re a college student who needs extra income to pay for expenses not covered by your student loans.
• You’re a stay at home mom looking for an activity to keep you busy while your kids are in school.
• You’re considering switching careers and want to use a part time job to “get your feet wet” in a new industry before giving up your full time employment.
• Your part time job is in an area of personal interest and thus functions as a stress reliever for you.
• You’re nearing retirement age, but not ready to give up working completely.

Companies that Hire Part Time Help

As you might expect, there are plenty of part time jobs available at restaurants and retail stores. Experience is often preferred, but not typically required, for cashiers, stockers, waiters, or cooks. Most of these positions will require working nights, weekends, and holidays, but you may be able to make certain scheduling requests if needed.

If you are looking for a higher level position that takes advantage of your education or previous job experience, you’ll be pleased to hear that many hospitals, government agencies, and large corporations are now hiring workers for 10 to 30 hours per week. Some companies may also be willing to hire part time workers for professional positions as part of a job sharing arrangement.

Applying for a Part Time Job

If you’re looking for a new job, check your local newspaper’s classified ads for part time openings. You may also want to visit companies that interest you directly to inquire if they have any available positions.

In most cases, you’ll need a resume or a complete job application to apply for a part time job. Depending upon the position, you may also be asked to submit to a background check or drug test.

If you’re offered an interview for a part time job, prepare yourself just as thoroughly as you would if you were looking for a full time position. Regardless of the particular industry, employers who are hiring part time workers want to find people who are competent, enthusiastic, and reliable. Strive to make a good first impression and you’ll drastically increase your chances of being offered the job.

Finding Benefits from Part Time Jobs

In the past, many people who wanted to work part time were scared away from the prospect by the thought of losing their employee benefits. However, there are now many companies that offer benefits for part time workers. For example:

• At JCPenney, associates who work less than 35 hours per week have access to health insurance, paid time off, a dependent care spending account, and a discount on merchandise.
• Barnes & Noble gives part time workers access to a healthcare plan and 401(k) in addition to a discount on store merchandise.
• Lowe’s lets part time employees participate in a limited benefit health plan and one year of employment qualifies workers for 40 hours of paid vacation time.
• At Starbucks, part time workers who work more than 20 hours per week can get insurance, a retirement package, stock options, and a pound of free coffee each week.
• Land’s End offers an exceptionally generous benefit package for part time workers that includes insurance, a retirement plan, paid holidays, back up child care, educational assistance, and discounted tickets to area entertainment attractions.

Since it’s generally considered a breech of etiquette to ask about pay and benefits before you’re offered a position, the best way to find out if a particular employer offers benefits for part time workers is to do some research on the company’s Web site. In most cases, this information is found under the “Careers” or “About Us” sections.