It can be really tricky to find part time work, even with the post-Covid increase in flexible working.
We’ve come up with five questions to make sure that you’ve considered all the options available to you and help you narrow down exactly what you’re looking for.
- What hours can you work?
Before you even start looking for part time work, it’s important to know what hours are possiblefor you. Many part time jobs are shift based, so if that’s not what you’re looking for then it’s important to check if this is the case when applying for roles.
If you are in receipt of benefits another consideration might be the number of hours that you can work and how this might affect your benefits.
- How flexible are you?
Even if you have some restrictions on the hours you can work, it’s likely you will have some element of flexibility. Part time roles can often have a high turnover, so make sure that you try and show that you can work when needed, and that you are committed if you are looking for something more long term.
- Am I looking at all options open to me?
Consider all the options that are available to you. If it’s proving tough to find something permanent, then how about temporary or contract work? Once you’re in an organisation then something else more permanent may be offered.
Have you considered job shares? They could be a good option for you.
- Where am I looking for work?
When you’re looking for part time roles, make sure that you are using all the avenues possible to search. There are many options that people often don’t consider. Did you know there are dedicated part time job sites, and many job sites have sections dedicated to part time work? These include:
Are you currently working? If so, could you ask your employer if there is scope to drop to part time hours or change your role to a job share? Are there other parts of the business that you may be able to transfer to which offer an easier transition to part time work?
Think about your profession. Are you able to go freelance? Depending on what you do for a living, freelance work can sometimes be a better option financially as well as for work-life balance. However, working for yourself has its own pitfalls to be aware of, so make sure you do your research.
- How much time am I spending looking for work?
It is important to remember that whilst you are not looking for full time hours, you should treat looking for part time work the same as looking for a full-time job.
Make sure you give just as much effort on focussing your CV to a role, writing your cover letter and doing interview prep as you would for something with more hours. It’s also an idea to keep a log of the applications that you have made so you can chase up applications when needed.
Don’t forget, job searching is a lot of hard work and can be exhausting so make sure you look after yourself.
There we have it – five questions to ask yourself when looking for part time work. We hopethese tips will aid in your success with applying for work!
Still have questions and need further help finding a part time job? Check if you’re eligible for employment support from Work Well.