Part time jobs are all around you on any given day. Some require a little experience but most do not. When it comes to making a living, you must do whatever is necessary and many times that may mean part time employment.
Jobs
When you think about part time employment, the first image that comes to mind is flipping burgers at a franchise or mom and pop burger joint. These are one example of a part time job but are not the only ones.
Bank
Did you know that many banks hire their tellers on a part time basis to begin with? The compensation is not the greatest in the world but it does put you in a prime position for other job opportunities.
Banks often employ their own cleaning crew as well. This part time employment will give you the flexibility of working evenings without having to work all night. This is a perfect part time job if you are a student or taking on a second job for more income.
Retail
Nearly all large retailers hire cashiers and loading/ unloading staff on a part time basis. This keeps their overall costs down while providing more jobs in the community. It is also a way for them to evaluate your work ethic and abilities while considering whether to offer you full time employment with benefits.
Fast Food
Fast food restaurants have one of the highest turnover rates of any sector. This is largely because they hire mostly teenagers and young adults for whom this is a temporary stop on their career road.
One redeeming factor in these types of jobs is they are normally very willing to work around school or other schedules. They will work you as little or as much as you need.
How to Get a Part Time Job
Now that you know where a few employment opportunities lay, the question is how you can put your best foot forward to land a part time job. Your strategy will differ based on your schedule and needs.
If you have a completely open schedule, in other words, if this is not a second job and you are not in school, then your first order of business is to mark your availability as wide open. Companies seeking part time help need them to be flexible. When it comes time to make out schedules, it is much simpler if there are not five people with five different days they can or cannot work. Therefore, if you really need this part time job you will be far above the rest if you can work anytime.
Be clear and concise about any reasons that you have to have special scheduling. Do not just say that you cannot work on Tuesday, explain that you have 8 hours of class that day, or submit your other work schedule to them. It is not that they will automatically think you are lying, however many people use excuses to get out of working nights or weekends. The more transparent you are the better your chances.
Treat the part time opportunity seriously. Do not treat the position as something that is beneath you. When applying for a part time opportunity you want to give the potential employer every reason to believe that you will treat the job with the same respect as you would a full time position.
Be neat and courteous when on your interview. Most part time jobs will require some level of working with the public. If you go to the interview with messed up hair and stained clothes you are not likely to get a call back.
Call your potential employer to check on the status of your application. This one tool is severely overlooked by job seekers of all calibers. After you have placed your application, give the company a few days to a week to go over it. If you have not heard from them then you should call and ask to speak to the manager or whoever is in charge of hiring. When you get them on the phone, immediately give them your full name, and explain you are inquiring about the status of your application.
Calling a potential employer has many benefits. First, it puts a voice to the application; you are no longer just a group of random information on a piece of paper. Be personable and smile while talking to them, unbelievably it will change your tone of voice and you will come across as friendly. Secondly, it brings your application to the top of the pile, which is never a bad thing! Finally, if there are any issues with your application like reference phone numbers or availability you have an opportunity to rectify the situation.
Part time employment opportunities are all around you every day. With a little persistence and patience, you will soon have the perfect part time job.
