How to Find a Part Time Job

Published by Women@Work Network.

1.  Avoid Full-Time Jobs.  Be realistic:  it's rare that a job advertised as full-time will turn into part-time.

 2. Prepare to Mine for Gold.  Recognize the fact that you will have to dig around for part-time jobs.  At least 90% of jobs are full-time.
 
3. Figure out how many hours you can devote to work and the schedule that you can follow every week.  Employers like reliability and predictability.

4. Zero in on your key areas of expertise.  With a part-time job, especially, employers want to know that you can fill a specific staffing need and handle specific projects.  Make a list your strengths-such as writing annual reports, conducting focus group research or developing business plans.

5. Target the companies that need your expertise.  If you can conduct focus groups, make a list of advertising and marketing firms that might have this need.

6. Network Your Expertise.  Contact everyone you know to find connections to your target companies and to expand your list of targets.

7. Sell Your Expertise to Employers.  Tell them what you can do, how many hours you have available and why you can add value in a less than full-time schedule.

8. Plan to work as many hours as possible on site.  Employers like to see their employees.  The more you are on site, the more you can participate in impromptu meetings or answer questions immediately.

9. Suggest a trial run.  Offer to work on a project basis as a first step.  This gives you both a chance to test the fit before the employer goes through the hassle of putting you on the payroll.

10. Make it clear that you understand that flexibility works both ways.  Employers worry that part-time employees will be running out the door at deadline time.  Let them know that you'll put in extra time at home or on Saturday morning if need be.

For more ideas or to get help with placement, check out the women@work network.