Part-time Job: What is it? Hours and Job-Hunting Hacks

Part-time jobs are the new fad that is on the rise. Generally, the main difference between them and full-time jobs is how many hours the employee works.

The Affordable Care Act by the I.R.S. states that part-time working hours are anything below 30 hours a week or 130 hours a month. Legally, there are no defined hourly limits, but the aforementioned definition is accepted by most.

In the end, though, it is not just about the number of hours worked but a few other things as well. Keep reading to find out more.

What Is A Part-Time Job?

A part-time job, as the name suggests, is a type of employment with a lesser workload than a usual full-time job. The working hours are lower along with responsibility, but so are the pay and scope for advancement!

How Many Hours Are Considered Part-Time?

As mentioned earlier, there is no officially stated timeframe for part-time jobs. But from what is commonly observed in the job market, it typically ranges from 4-6 hours a day. This can add up to 20–30 hours a week and 90–120 hours in a month.

Part-Time Jobs In Today’s Market

In today’s market, part-time jobs are on the rise, and it does not look like it is going to slow down anytime soon. Some of the popular part-time job titles include:

Customer Service Representatives At Call Centers

Customer service representatives through Tele Calling are in demand these days. There are options for both full-time and part-time work in this career path.

To do this job, one must first obtain a thorough knowledge of the company. They must also know its products and services very well. They also must have good communication skills in general.

A calm head is also a plus point as they have to deal with angry and sometimes even outright rude customers. Knowing multiple languages can also be helpful.

Delivery Drivers

With the rise of the internet and, subsequently, the e-commerce industry, delivery drivers are now in high demand. Some companies, like Amazon, pay good hourly rates to drivers.

Sometimes companies even provide vehicles to drivers. However, drivers must meet certain criteria to be eligible for applications. They must not have a history of substance abuse or anything of that sort. Candidates must also have a driver’s license and no criminal records.

The exact requirements vary from company to company, but the aforementioned points are likely to be found in most cases.

Data Entry

This is also a job title that has part-time working options. Sometimes companies even offer the choice of remote work or work-from-home. This can also help one save on travel expenses.

This is a profession that is gaining popularity. Employees working in data entry can range from freshers (both male and female) looking to get their foot in the corporate world to even Stay-At-Home Moms looking to get some extra cash!

One of the most important skills for this job profile is knowing how to use MS Excel. Knowing MS Office in general, as well as alternatives like Google Sheets, Google Docs, etc.

Warehouse Jobs

The warehousing industry also has options for part-time jobs. One drawback of part-time jobs in this industry is that they are often seasonal and contractual.

Lower job security is one factor that worries most people. However, if you need cash immediately and long-term stability is not your concern, then it's worth a try. There is a wide range of blue-collar job titles in this industry that a worker can join on a part-time basis.

One key thing, though, is that aspiring workers need to be healthy and willing to perform a lot of physical tasks if needed. They must also know how to handle stock carefully.

Why Work Part-Time?

Working part-time is a great option if you don’t want to or feel you are not ready to work full-time yet. There could be numerous reasons for that like age, educational qualifications, personal circumstances, etc.

Youngsters

Individuals who choose to work part-time usually have other important commitments like education, family, etc. Mostly, it consists of youngsters looking for some extra cash or to gain some work experience.

Another reason could be that they need more qualifications to acquire a full-time job. Hence, working part-time is the best option for them to start earning.

Another reason for picking part-time work can be their age. Those aged 14-15 are legally incapable of working full-time. They can only work part-time, and that too not during school hours.

Retirees

Retirees can also use work-from-home or freelancing options for part-time jobs to earn money. Also, a common issue in the American economy in recent years has been running out of savings during retirement!

So finding ways to earn money after retirement can be of immense benefit in modern times. Whether it be through part-time work, freelancing, etc.

Role Of The Internet

The Internet has played a massive role in the growth of part-time jobs. So many part-time jobs are digital, making them easy to do remotely as well.

Job Portal Listings

Most job searching sites these days also list part-time jobs. This is not just in the USA but in other countries too. Even the mainstream and popular sites have several part-time options available.

It helps improve connectivity between job seekers and employers and creates a positive impact on the job market. It has also helped speed up the hiring process and added a new dynamic to the recruitment process.

Alternatives To WFO

The Internet makes it easier for workers to perform tasks without being physically present at the office. A lot of part-time jobs like data entry, which was mentioned earlier, can be done through WFH, which has added to their popularity.

Impact Of COVID-19 On Working Styles

Before the pandemic hit us, things like Work-From-Home were considered strange and rare. But after the Corona outbreak, they became the only way to remain productive for companies.

The world may have overcome Corona, but these innovative alternatives still continue to prevail in the corporate environment. The job market has greatly benefited from these new working styles being introduced.

Part-Time work industry has come a long way in recent years, and COVID-19 has played its part in this.

Salaries For Part-Time Work

As per Glassdoor, the average salary of a part-time employee in the USA is around US$18 per hour. This should give us around US$21,000 - 28,000 depending on whether the employee works 4 or 6 hours a day.

However, it is important to keep in mind that these are the averages, and for those just starting out, the salaries will be a bit lower. Likewise, those with more experience can have their salaries go above this range.

There are certain other factors as well that contribute to the salary range.

Job Type

Usually, Part-Time jobs that are office jobs tend to pay better than blue-collar part-time jobs. This is usually because skills for office jobs are harder to acquire and more in demand.

Educational Qualifications

Usually, candidates who have better qualifications have a higher chance of landing a better-paying part-time job. While those who have not completed their schooling tend to get lower-paying jobs, It always helps if a student has completed their matriculation.

Size And Reputation Of The Company

We can see a part-time job with the same level of required qualification paying more in a big MNC than in a normal company. A lot of times, workers are better taken care of and often even have companies provide them with vehicles.

The size of the company and general brand power do have a positive correlation with remuneration. Apart from that, other forms of support in general are also provided.

Skills Needed To Get A Part-Time Job

Don’t think that just because you’re hunting for a part-time job, it's going to be easy! These types of jobs also have certain requirements. Don’t just expect an easier path; rather, expect a different path.

Blue Collar Jobs

These require low educational qualifications and have more to do with the ability to perform physical tasks. Sometimes these involve a bit of task-related training as well.

For example, take a forklift operator at a warehouse. One does not really need a degree or much education at all to perform it. It does require a bit of training, though, like teaching the worker how to drive the vehicle and perform certain functions with it.

Usually, characteristics like physical health, criminal records, etc. are looked at in most blue-collar job recruitment. But nowadays, the trend is starting to change, with education levels also being looked at.

White Collar And Office Jobs

Candidates for these job profiles tend to fall midway in the spectrum of educational qualifications. Usually, part-time office jobs are held by those not educated enough for a full-time role. However, they have enough qualifications to not have to work blue-collar jobs.

For example, consider a telecalling executive at a call center. They may not be very highly qualified, but a lot of them have at least completed their matriculation and have basic communication skills, making them capable of learning how to do the job.

Some basic training may be required to understand company products and services. Also, a bit of explanation may be required to understand the common problems customers may face and how to respond to them.

Typically, a baseline level of education is required, along with basic written and spoken communication skills. They must also know how to operate a computer/laptop and use the internet and various other digital tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)