Finding The Right Part-Time Job: 5 Practical Tips

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Start a new career that works for you with 5 practical tips for finding the right part-time job.

Trying to find the right part-time job that suits your needs,interests and career aspirations?

Finding the perfect opportunity is challenging in today’s job market, but more than possible with the right guidance.

Finding the right part-time job in five steps

In this article, we’ll provide tips on finding the right part-time job with 5 practical tips:

1. Understanding your part-time job needs.
2. Where to find the part-time job you want.
3. How to make the right impression with your application.
4. Performing well at your interview.
5. Evaluating job offers.

1. Tap into your skills and interests

Before applying for jobs, take some time to understand your skills and interests. After all, you want to find the right job that motivates you to get out of bed!

Here are some points for self-reflection:

• What type of role do I want? Do I want to freelance and enjoy a flexible schedule, or do I prefer fixed hours?
• Will the job help me in my career exploration journey? (For those who lack clarity).
• Will the part-time work help me earn transferable skills like teamwork and time management? 
• Can I balance a part-time position with my other responsibilities? (School/college).
• Logistical considerations. For example, can I conveniently travel to my potential employer?
• Does the job give me the required experience that will strengthen my CV?
• Will the job contribute to my professional development?
• Will I be doing things I find interesting? 

Remember to use a student loan calculator to determine your ideal salary range to cover college/university student debt payments. This tool allows you to plan effectively and make sure your dream job supports both your interests and your financial needs.

2. Learn how to source part-time jobs

Once your ideal opportunity is well-defined, you can look for jobs via various mediums.

Job search platforms

Job search platforms provide a convenient way to browse and apply for part-time job opportunities. Websites such as Jobillico offer filters to narrow your search based on job type and location so you’re not flooded with hundreds of unsuitable vacancies. 

You can also upload your resume, and we’ll send your profile to employers where we feel there’s a skills and experience match. 

Use your personal network

Ask your close circle (family and friends) if they know of any job vacancies.

Tell them exactly what you’re looking for and give them a copy of your professional resume so they can refer you to appropriate jobs.

By being clear about the type of role you want, you’ll stand out amongst others who may have also approached them for job searching assistance.

This way, if they happen to know someone hiring or come to hear of a vacancy, they’ll immediately think of you.

Employers often place significant value on personal recommendations, as they come with a level of trust and endorsement that is difficult to achieve through standard applications. It’s no wonder that 65% of all openings get filled through referrals.

Expand your network

If you’re a student, you might not have a professional network, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start building one.

There are two ways to build a network:

1. Online
2. Offline

Part of online networking is registering for online job search portals (as mentioned above). You can supplement your online efforts by creating a LinkedIn account.

LinkedIn has a jobs portal that provides extra visibility by identifying the hiring manager and anyone in your current network who has associations with the company (e.g., an existing employee). You can approach either of these groups directly to develop rapport.

You can also connect with recruitment consultants who specialize in part-time work. They can link you with appropriate vacancies once they get to know you and understand your skills and interests.

Build your offline network by attending local job fairs.

When attending job fairs, you are presented with many hiring companies. Introduce yourself and your skills/experience with each employer, and ensure you hand them your contact details.

As long as you make a good impression, you’ll be front of mind. So, even if the employer doesn’t have a suitable opportunity for you now, they will contact you when an appropriate vacancy arises.

Finding the part-time job that’s best suited for you is all about planting as many seeds as you can. The more people who know you exist and are aware of the type of role you want, the greater your chances of landing a great job.

3. Make the right impressions with your application

Once you’re presented with suitable job opportunities, do not make the mistake of sending generic applications.

As tempting as it can be to turn applications into a numbers game (more applications = more chance of getting a job), you’ll often be passed up if there isn’t something about your application that stands out compared to others.

Here are the steps you need to take to customize your application:

1. Read the job description and personal specification carefully to understand what skills and experience the employer values the most.
2. Emphasize those skills and experiences by using the right keywords in your cover letter and creating a direct and personalized one-page resume. 41% of recruiters scan your resume for relevant skills before they read anything else.

For example, if a vacancy requires people to be good at solving problems or good communicators, talk about those experiences the most. To find extra room to discuss relevant experiences, feel free to omit any experience that doesn’t add value.

It’s worth the extra effort, given how 61% of expert recruiters say a customized application is a guaranteed way to stand out.

4. Prepare for a job interview

You’ve made it to the interview stage! Now, it’s time to ‘wow’ the panel. 

To prepare for the interview, you need to do four things:

1. Research the most commonly asked interview questions for the job title being hired for and learn how to answer them.
2. Remind yourself of the skills and attributes the employer cares most about, and tailor your answers. For example, if you’re applying for a customer service position, your answers should focus on key customer service attributes (communication skills, friendly demeanor, problem-solving, etc.).
3. Nearly every interview ends with an opportunity for the interviewee to ask their questions. Have some questions locked and loaded–it shows you have a genuine interest in the role. Good questions to ask include whether they offer any long-term career progression and training opportunities.
4. Once the interview ends, thank them for their time and follow up after a few days to demonstrate your enthusiasm.

5. Evaluate the job offer

Accepting a job offer as soon as you receive one with minimal deliberation is a common pitfall. As much as you want a job, finding the part-time job that’s RIGHT for you is the important part. When navigating job offers, look for things beyond the salary:

• Key responsibilities
• PTO policy
• The hours
• Location

Return to the answers you gave to the self-reflection questions. Is the role conducive to your answers?

Wrapping up

Over the course of your life, you’ll spend more time at work than with your family and friends (even in jobs that offer remote work). As a result, finding the right part-time job is crucial. 

Using 5 practical tips for finding the right part-time job swill help you source a job that pays well enough to earn a living while providing career progression and a sense of fulfillment.

To get started, do the self-reflection exercise and register on Jobillico to access and apply to appropriate vacancies. 

Good luck!