Part-Time Jobs: The Quest for Job Flexibility
Depending on your situation, part-time employment can be the perfect way to either make a little spending money or continue your career while cutting back on hours. Use the Part-Time Jobs Web Guide to find all you need concerning alternative working hours: general information, tips, job finders, legal logistics and direct accounts of people's experiences.
Expand All Guide SectionsPart-Time Jobs and Job Sharing
Full-time and part-time jobs have different requirements and different challenges, so information about full-time work doesn't always apply to part-timers. Read up on the specifics of part-time jobs and job sharing below.
Insights for Part-Time Jobs and Job Sharing
- Many university Web sites have links to a career services page. As a resource for students, these services usually provide helpful articles on searching for jobs. Try looking for a section or articles specific to part-time work.
- Keep in mind that "flextime" and "job sharing" are two other terms used to describe nontraditional working hours.
- For more information on what to know when searching for employment, see the findingDulcinea Job Hunting Web Guide.
Top Sites for Part-Time Jobs and Job Sharing
SnagAJob.com
has an article on finding part-time work. Find sections specific to different audiences such as teens, retirees, working professionals and mothers returning to the workplace.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
offers an in-depth guide to part-time work and job sharing with statistics and instructions. Although the information reflects the policy of U.S. government jobs, a lot of the basic information and almost all of the advice is applicable to any part-time job.
Working Moms Refuge
provides information useful for mothers looking into changing their work hours to better accommodate motherhood. Eleven questions and answers, which include several direct quotes from people describing their own experiences, help to explain various aspects of working part-time.
Employment Spot
has information on seasonal jobs that explains the differences between jobs that are seasonal and permanent. Get suggestions for finding seasonal work, including information on specific industries in which jobs open up at different times of year.
Finding and Applying to Part-Time Jobs
If you're ready to start your job search, the sites in this section help you with finding and applying to part-time jobs. Save time and effort by using the Web tools below and make the whole process more efficient.
Insights for Finding and Applying to Part-Time Jobs
- If you attend a university, there are often many opportunities to work on campus. The school's career services department usually provides a list of student jobs. Catered to the full-time student, these jobs are almost always part-time.
- In addition to using the Internet to find part-time work, you can actually work through the Internet, telecommuting, and cutting out office time and rigid hours.
- You'll likely be required to divulge a lot of personal information to get on an employer's payroll. Make sure the company is trustworthy before handing over this important information.
- For more information on ways to find opportunities for earning some extra cash in your spare time, see the findingDulcinea Freelance Web Guide.
Top Sites for Finding and Applying to Part-Time Jobs
For general part-time jobs ...
FlexJobs
works like most major job search Web sites, but lists only part-time, flex-time, contract, telecommuting, consulting, project-based, seasonal and volunteer jobs. Create a profile and search for jobs by category, or check out helpful articles on topics like building your home office and finding work-life balance.
The Riley Guide
recommends several Web sites for finding part-time, hourly or temporary employment.
CareerBuilder.com
has its own section dedicated to part-timers. Sift through part-time opportunities according to location, job type and keyword, or use the advanced search option.
Craigslist
posts job listings in a variety of categories, including part-time employment, for numerous cities. To search, click on your city or state, and scroll to the bottom of the "jobs" category for "part time." You can also search the "gigs" section for one-time or temporary employment opportunities in your area of expertise. Or, try posting an ad in the "services" category.
Monster.com
similarly dedicates a page to part-time job searching. Offering a relatively standard search, its broad database makes it worth looking into.
Part-time jobs for students and teens ...
CollegeHelpers.com
hosts a list of part-time job opportunities, internships and summer jobs for college students looking for off-campus work. This site is geared toward students, employers and even college resource centers.
GrooveJob.com
has postings from several large companies looking for part-time, hourly or seasonal employees. Start by typing your zip code into the search box and then go on to see companies in your area. Click on a logo to find more information.
GotAJob.com
allows you to search for part-time and seasonal jobs in your area, or to sign up for e-mail alerts when an opportunity nearby opens up. With a free membership, you can access applications directly from the GotAJob and SnagAJob databases.
Part-time jobs for seniors ...
Retirement Jobs
allows you to search for job opportunities two ways: Enter your zip code and a keyword pertaining to your career, or browse all job listings posted in various categories.
SeniorJobBank
provides a job search tool specifically for seniors. Search by location, post your resume or enter a "Job Agent Profile" that can be viewed by potential employers. Listings are updated daily.
Experience Works
is a national charitable organization that helps low-income seniors find employment and get training for new careers. Use the telephone number listed on the home page to get more information.
For summer and seasonal jobs ...
A+ Summer Jobs
provides students and young adults with interesting work experiences when school's out. Spend your summer working on a cruise ship, at an Alaskan fishery or even abroad.
Cool Works
lists seasonal jobs in some of the most interesting places in the world (mostly in nature or national parks). Get started with a free membership to begin your job hunt. Check out the "Older and Bolder" tab for seasonal jobs specifically for the retired (and adventurous) crowd.
Backdoorjobs.com
deems itself "your home for short-term job adventures." To start, choose one of the Web site's channels (for example, "Sustainable Living & Farming Work"). Then choose a destination and check out the available opportunities.
Working Part-Time Jobs
Sometimes it can be hard to balance a job with other responsibilities, whether it's a second job, parenthood or school. Working part-time jobs can help you tackle these issues and maximize the positive aspects of your part-time employment.
Insights on Working Part-Time Jobs
- Parents tend to author most of the blogs concerning part-time jobs. Even if you're not a parent, you might be able to benefit from their experiences as they balance their schedules and handle the different aspects of part-time work.
- Use a search tool like Technorati or Delicious to search through blogs for more specific topics related to your field of interest.
- For tips on another form of work outside of the traditional office setting, see the findingDulcinea Freelance Web Guide.
Top Sites on Working Part-Time Jobs
Part-time jobs for teens ...
Quintessential Careers
features an article titled "A Guide for Teens: How to Find a Summer or Part-Time Job." Read their seven-step plan of action, suggested places of work and hints on what employers look for in teens.
The Teenager's Guide to the Real World
has an online publication that suggest ways teens can spend their spare time and earn a little extra money. Read about employment problems many teens have encountered during their experiences. The featured book can be ordered online from this Web site, or through Amazon.
JobDoggy.com
is a search tool for teen jobs with additional resources for young job seekers. Get resume help, general articles and labor law information.
The College Board
helps high school students find equilibrium between schoolwork and a part-time job. With a list of general considerations, tips and questions you might want to ask yourself before taking on a part-time job, the College Board aims to ensure healthier, more successful educations for high schoolers.
Part-time jobs for working parents ...
Monster.com
an advice section that features this article, titled "Ready to Go Part-Time as a Working Mom?" It provides caveats about pay cuts, the benefits of having more time out of the office and a list of advice for the transition.
BusinessWeek
presents the "Working Parents" blog, written by various authors all offering their personal takes on balancing careers with the rest of your life. Browse posts by topic category or date. Especially useful are the articles titled "Part-Time: The Best or the Worst of all Worlds?" and "The Perils of Part-Time".
TheLaborOfLove.com
knows that it can be hard to deal with the blow to your paycheck when you transition from full to part-time. In an article adapted from the Work Options Web site, "Going Part-Time: How to Afford Cutting Back Your Hours," there are two exercises for assessing your needs and formulating goals as well as a checklist to ensure that your spousal support will be sufficient.
Self-Made Mom
is middle management at the office, and still seems to maintain a positive view when it comes to working part-time as a mother. Although many entries focus on daily life, she also writes about issues that arise at work and how she is treated differently as a part-time worker rather than full-time employee.
Part-time jobs for retired people ...
Monster.com's
advice section features an article for a 50+ audience looking to ease into retirement by first going part-time. While the article stresses that going part-time as an older person requires a lot of compromising, it also details how flexibility might work to your advantage.
AARP
offers job search advice for seniors. You'll find sections to help you develop a job search and become a better networker, and tips for how to write your resume and interview well.
Retirement Jobs
presents advice for retirees and senior job seekers. Read or listen to articles covering a variety of topics, including "Overcoming Age Discrimination" and "Retired Husband Syndrome."
Part-Time Employee Rights
You may not be working enough hours per week to qualify for company benefits, but there's no minimum number of hours to have rights as an employee. Although many employers have their own policies, state and national regulations are always in place. Use the sites below to get acquainted with your part-time employee rights.
Insights for Part-Time Employee Rights
- Go straight to a company's Web site for details on employee policies and benefit information. Often this information can be found in a career section of the page. If you have trouble finding exact policies on the Internet, look for the company's contact information. Write an e-mail or make a phone call requesting the information you need.
- The U.S. Department of Labor doesn't legally distinguish part-time from full-time, so there are no specialized regulations for part-time work. It's up to you to discuss and establish hours and benefits with your employer.
- Many of your rights as a part-time employee are the same or similar to those of full-time employees, making general employment laws and Web sites applicable and useful.
Insights for Part-Time Employee Rights
U.S. Department of Labor
includes a page devoted to members of the part-time workforce. Although there aren't laws specific to part-time, the applicable ones are listed as well as assistance materials and DOL contact information.
FindLaw
is a legal resource with a special page containing information about part-time workers' legal rights. Be warned that you'll see pop-up windows as you move from page to page.
YouthRules
is a sector of the U.S. Department of Labor directed toward preparing American youth for the workforce. Learn about the legal differences between the employment of minors and adults, and why they exist. Information is divided into different sections addressing different audiences such as teens, parents, employers and educators.
My Employment Lawyer
(MEL) is a free resource about the laws and rights of U.S. workers. Go to the FAQ section sorted by topic or send a specific question using the "Ask MEL" feature. Although this Web site doesn't focus on part-time workers, try typing "part-time" into the search bar to find related articles.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
has a "Work/Life" section that addresses the issues of part-time permanent employees, such as holidays, insurance and retirement. For more resources, visit "Handbooks & Guides" or "Forms" for downloadable files.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
