Questions to ask when looking for a part-time job vary depending on personal situations, such as being a college student or stay-at-home mom. Consider factors like transportation, time commitment, benefits, and alternative options like volunteering. Also, consider the employer’s perspective.
Since there are many different reasons you might look for a part-time job, the questions you should ask vary. Are you a college student who needs a part-time job to help support yourself while you graduate? A stay-at-home mom looking for a part-time job as a reintroduction into the workforce? Someone with another full-time job who needs a little more income to make ends meet? What you need to consider depends on your personal situation.
If you are a college student: can you devote enough time to a part-time job without hurting your grades? Is your local transportation or public transport adequate to get you to an off-campus job? Can you safely report to your part-time job? Remember, most business owners don’t care if you take a test tomorrow – they just need someone who can do the job they’re paying for.
If you’re a stay-at-home mom preparing to join the workforce after your youngest child enters college: Is a part-time job something you can switch to a full-time job? Will this job be a resume enhancer? If you’re a single parent, know that part-time jobs rarely offer benefits. If you need a health coverage plan, you’ll need to find a full-time job.
If you’re lucky enough not to need the income of a part-time job, but are just looking for an interest outside the home or a way to give something back to society, volunteering is a viable alternative to a part-time job. often transition into paying positions within the organization for which they volunteer.
If you need a part-time job for additional income simply because your full-time job isn’t paying all the bills, you should ask some serious questions. Are you in debt because of reckless spending? Consider a consolidation loan and debt counseling instead of, or in addition to, finding a part-time job.
If you’ve been a prudent spender and still can’t earn on your paycheck, ask yourself if your full-time job is paying you what it should? Are there other jobs in your field that pay better and might remove the need to work another job? Consider asking for a raise at your full-time job before looking for a part-time job, but whatever you do, don’t use your financial situation as an argument for a raise, especially if other people in your paying class are sending kids to school. college on the salary you are having trouble living.
If there is no alternative to taking a part-time job in addition to another full-time job, make sure the pay is sufficient to offset the additional costs for you. If you have to drive 45 miles and pay for parking, the increased costs can eat into the pay you receive and you’ll be no better off – and significantly more tired – than before you took on a part-time job. Ideally, of course, working a high-paying part-time job as a trial job is ideal if you’re considering leaving your current job. But be warned – your current employer will see this as disloyal and will not consider it a step up if they know you are looking elsewhere.
In all cases, consider your potential employer’s position. As you ask yourself questions about how part-time employment can benefit you, either financially or improving your future employability, take a moment to consider how employment can benefit your employer. If you know the answer to that, you are much more likely to be selected than someone whose motives are purely financial.
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