Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Jobseeking plus > Part-time work: quick guide
Part-time work: quick guide
Depending on your situation, part-time employment is a great way to balance your work and personal commitments. Whether you want to earn an extra income or carry on in your career whilst cutting back on your hours, it's an ideal solution.
How it all works
Part-time work simply means you work fewer hours. You still have the same statutory employment rights as full-time workers.
However there are different types of part-time work available. You can pursue a straight forward part-time vacancy, or reduce your hours at work, for example. Job sharing is a different form of part-time employment. It's where a full-time job is divided between two part-time workers to suit everyone's circumstances. Job shares are split in a number of ways. For example, you could opt to work afternoons whilst a colleague chooses the mornings. Alternatively, you could split the week up working alternate days or a set timetable.
Career change
If you want to go part-time and change your career at the same time, it's not as complicated as it seems. Look at the skills you hold. If you're an ex-teacher, for example, there is a lot of choice for you in terms of part-time work, as your administrative and communication skills will be very high. You'll also be able to multi-task, hold people's attention, explain complicated topics and assess ability or comprehension. A customer service role could be ideal. It's more a case of where your interests lie.
Also don't rule out creating your own career; which might enable you to freelance or work from home. I'd recommend that you take our psychometric questionnaire, Knowing you. The results will indicate jobs that you are well suited to.
Hot sectors
Hot sectors for part-time jobs include retail, call centres, hospitality and catering. What these industries have in common is a high-volume requirement for staff and a "customer service" focus.
If you can find a job that is linked to a personal interest, you will be working towards a common goal. So whether it's a receptionist for a music firm, working in a fashion store or helping in the kitchen at a local restaurant, you'll be far happier if you're following your interests.
Going for it
Whether you're looking for part-time work, your first job or to gain experience in a new direction you'll need to start with a CV. Take a look at our advice on writing a CV and our CV checker; don't forget that skills gained from hobbies and general life events are just as valid as work-based skills!
If you are qualified in a specialist field such as accounting but the jobs advertised want experience in other areas, there is always a way around the chicken/egg scenario. Local trades people struggle with their accounts because their skills typically lie in other areas. You could try contacting the businesses in your area and offering to help them out with their accounts. You are qualified and studying for higher qualifications so it's not as if you have a credibility issue. This is also a great way of building up a professional network, and the practical business experience that you will gain will be invaluable.
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