How to Find a Part-Time Job

There is a bevy of benefits to part-time employment—some that you may not have considered during your job search: For starters, part-time jobs usually offer a lot more flexibility with your work hours, which means you can more easily find a job that fits your availability and lifestyle.  

Part-time work can allow you to pursue other things while you’re making money. That might be education, as many students work part-time while earning their degree; the chance to spend more time with your children or family; or the ability to volunteer for a cause you care about. 

Work-life balance is often easier to achieve with part-time employment, too, as fewer hours in the office can mean more time with your friends and family, or to spend on a passion project. Part-time work also allows you to expand your skillset; meet and network with people in your field or industry; and pivot into a full-time role—if you have the desire to do that, of course.

While many industries offer opportunities for part-time employment, some are better suited for those who can’t commit to 40 hours a week. So, if you’re looking for a part-time position—or a little flexibility with your hours—consider looking to these industries for ample opportunities: 

• Healthcare
• Foodservice
• Retail
• Delivery
• Education (especially online education)
• Administration
• Customer Service
• Marketing
• Hospitality
• Design
• Writing

Besides concentrating your search in industries that offer part-time positions, there are a lot of things you can do to find a part-time job. Here are some tips for finding part-time employment:

Search Glassdoor. You already know that Glassdoor supplies 64 million people with job listings and valuable information on companies, salaries, and interviews in order to find the opportunity that best suits them. But Glassdoor can help you find part-time work, too: You can start your part-time job search here by using Glassdoor’s jobs section, and typing “part-time” as a keyword into the search bar. This way, you’ll populate a list of part-time only opportunities. (You can also filter company reviews so that you only see what part-time workers think of the company, too!) 

Think about the job you want. Not all part-time positions are created equal. Some part-time jobs require as few as 20 hours a week, while others ask you to clock in more than 30 hours a week. Some come with benefits and perks, while others are benefit-free. Some require physical labor, while others allow you to work from the comfort of your home. So, before you begin your search, consider your schedule, your needs, and your desires—and then target job listings and apply for jobs that meet those criteria. 

Take the search seriously. Even if you’re looking for part-time work, a job search can be a full-time job. Be sure to set aside time each day to search for new job listings, prepare and edit your application materials (like your resume and cover letter), and set aside time to practice for your interviews. Luckily, Glassdoor can make this much easier: You can set up job alerts so that relevant listings come to you. You can search Glassdoor’s collection of interview questions—categorized by company, position and region—so you’ll know what to expect if you’re called in.

Now that you’ve found a part-time job you want, here’s how to stand out from other applicants: 

Hone your resume. Don’t be tricked into thinking that you won’t need a resume to apply for a part-time job. On the contrary, many—if not most—employers seeking to fill part-time roles will want to read your resume. So, make sure it’s in tip-top shape: You’ll want to revise your resume for each job for which you apply, adding in crucial keywords and editing your experience to best match the qualities and qualifications the employer is looking for in its ideal candidates.  

Quantify whenever possible. It’s one thing to say you’re good at something. It’s another thing to show it—preferably, with numbers. Whether on your resume, application, or in an interview, it’s important to show a potential employer the qualities and accomplishments you’ll bring to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a customer service role, it’s not enough to say you had satisfied customers. Instead, considering saying, “100 percent of customers gave me positive feedback during post-call surveys,” which packs a much bigger, more meaningful punch. 

Go above and beyond. When it comes to your application, going above-and-beyond what is required of you can help you stand out from a pile of other applications. For example, if an application says a cover letter is optional, send one. Not only does it give you an opportunity to share more about why you’re the right person for the role, but it will also show the employer you are taking the opportunity seriously and putting time and effort into the application process. 

Here are some additional resources that will help you find—and land—the right job for you: 

7 Side Gigs You Can Do While Waiting to Get Hired

6 Ways to Pay the Bills When Pursuing Your Passion

9 Great Companies for Working Mothers

The 8 Best People to Choose as Job References

14 Must-Have Skills for Entry-Level Workers