When it comes to careers and working, not everyone can work a full time schedule. Typically 35 to 40 hours or more per week is considered full time. Family responsibilities or medical difficulties can make it difficult or even impossible for a professional to be on the job for that many hours. Part time jobs can allow professionals to work on a reduced schedule.
While looking for part time employment, professionals can find jobs in any occupational field and for every schedule. Part time jobs can be a former full time job that reduces the hours or jobs that began with a low amount of hours.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a majority of the people who worked part time in 2006 were doing so for personal reasons. For example, some people were unable to secure consistent child care or were retiring from full time work. During 2006, part time employees averaged about 21 hours of work per week.
A common form of part time work was seasonal jobs, which are only available during certain months of the year. Seasonal jobs can be:
- Agricultural
- Harvesting
- Holiday customer service
- Holiday retail
- Tourism
Seasonal work may or may not be considered part time, depending upon the number of hours worked each day. Generally, most workplaces count seasonal jobs as part time because they are not available during the entire year.
Employers may use seasonal work as a way to select full time employees. This is especially true in the retail sector. Because holidays can be extremely hectic and stressful for retail employees, employers will want to retain those who perform well under the circumstances. However, this is a relatively unlikely method of moving from part time to full time status when compared with simply applying to a full time job.
Part time employment was also somewhat common among high-paying jobs. Among the high-paying part time occupations the BLS recorded were:
- Chiropractors
- Dental hygienists
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapists
Some employees or employers may turn a full time job into part time for the good of the employee or the business. Part time work can be a way for older people to transition from full time employment into partial retirement.
However, part time work is not for everyone. It typically pays less money than a full time job. In some cases, this can be a considerably smaller salary. Most companies will not extend health benefits or other job perks to part time employees. In some occupational fields, part time workers can be among the first to be let go if a business experiences tough times. Part time employees may also have uncertain or frequently changing schedules.
Part time jobs can fit any schedule or personal circumstances. Although such employment may not be right for every professional, it can make the difference between being unemployed or working flexibly. For professionals with circumstances that prevent them from working full time, they should consider part time employment as a way to continue earning money.