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Why Having a Part-Time Job is Just as Good as a Full-Time Job

The policies of the modern workforce are slowly evolving. Now days, you can find lots of part-time job opportunities that provide the same compensation, perks, and room for career growth as full-time work.

A full-time job is typically described as a profession that requires you to report to your employer and render 40 hours of work each week. On the other hand, a part-time job takes half the time.

There’s also the gig economy that has facilitated the boom of part-time opportunities today. This phenomenon involves hiring independent contractors or freelancers on a per-project basis. You can find part-time jobs in any industry, from accounting to publishing and even education.

To convince you further, here are the reasons why having a part-time job is just as good as a full-time job:

  1. Application Process

The application process for part-time employment is similar to that of applying for full-time work. You have to send in your resume to the recruiter detailing your professional experience and skills that you’ve gained throughout the years. If you’re in the creative field, you’ll still be required to show a portfolio of your past works.

You can also find job sites that allow you to filter posts for part-time and full-time careers. Creating an account with these platforms enables you to apply for work with just a click of a button.

Your resume continues to be a crucial document for your application process. Check out these tips to help you catch a recruiter’s attention with just this piece of paper:

  • Mind the Layout – Take note of how you format your resume. Make sure that you break it apart into logical parts so that the hiring manager can skim through it. Recruiters have to sift through hundreds of resumes a day, so you can make it easier for them to read your file by using the appropriate layout.
  • Stick to Readable Font – You should also use a font face that’s clear and professional-looking. Steer clear of cursive or artsy types. Moreover, choose a font size that’s just right so that the recruiter won’t have to squint their eyes to read through your file.
  • Use Reverse-Chronological Order – When writing down your work experiences, you should start with your current job role and list down the previous ones according to the most recent year. Do the same for the education section.
  • Keep It Short and Sweet – Resist the urge to add fluff to your resume. Keep the descriptions of the work you did in the past concise and straightforward. Ideally, this application document shouldn’t exceed two pages.
  • Fill the Gaps – If there were times when you took an extended leave from work, you should address those gaps and explain what happened during that period that caused you to forgo working temporarily. Most recruiters are forgiving and understanding, so you shouldn’t be afraid to disclose this information.
  1. Pay

A lot of people are scared to leave their full-time jobs because of the misconception that part-time work pays less than its 40-hour counterpart. However, there are part-time opportunities that provide the same compensation as long as you have the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver excellent output.

Many full-time jobs still pay by the hour, and you can find this arrangement with part-time work as well. Another setup is getting paid per project or for every task you complete, like for writing and data entry jobs.

There’s a chance that you can even earn more when you’re freelancing because you can get as many gigs as you want. Just make sure to learn how to keep more of your money so that your efforts won’t go to waste.

Before you take the leap and quit your full-time job, you have to ask yourself which setup works more for you and your family financially. Aside from the monetary benefits provided by your employer, you should consider other employee perks like paid sick leaves, health insurance, and retirement plans.

  1. Opportunities for Growth

Similar to how the pay setup is the same with full-time work, there are lots of opportunities for growth with part-time jobs nowadays. Promotions still happen, although you have to put your best foot forward so that your boss will notice how much you’ve contributed to the company.

Nonetheless, the skills that you acquire with freelancing will always be yours even when you’ve parted ways with your employer. The freedom to accept as many jobs as you want can also help you explore non-linear opportunities in other industries or job roles.

These are a few skills that you’ll gain when you go through part-time work:

  • Communication – Working with others is crucial in the workplace, even more so when the team isn’t in the same office. Collaboration is made possible through clear communication, which is why you’ll learn this valuable skill when you go freelancing.
  • Time Management – Regardless of how many clients you have, you need to be able to handle your resources efficiently, especially your time. You’ll be adept at creating schedules to complete your tasks and deliver the required output on time to your employer.
  • Self-Motivation – Discipline is a skill that most part-time workers have honed. This is because, unlike in a full-time setup, there isn’t always an external force that helps drive you to complete your responsibilities as a worker. In a freelancing arrangement, you can only count on yourself to get the push you need and succeed in your chosen career.
  • Flexibility – Often, part-time work is more exciting than having a regular desk job because you have to continue fulfilling your obligations to the company even with changes in schedule, production, and also with the tools you’re using. You get to learn how to think on your feet and make quick decisions on how to go about your responsibilities.

The Perks of Part-Time

Some may even argue that a part-time job is better than working 40 hours each week. However, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all model because the effectiveness of this arrangement depends on your financial situation, personal relationships, lifestyle, and skills.

To learn more about the part-time setup, these are the perks you enjoy with a freelancing job:

  1. Flexible Hours

The primary advantage of working part-time is having full control of your schedule. You’re not required to work 40 hours a week and report to the office at a particular time. This means that you can do the tasks at your own pace.

You can find employers who aren’t as strict when it comes to the time as long as you provide top-notch output. These bosses are more concerned that you do the job correctly the first time rather than waste precious work hours into creating something that is not of quality.

Companies also benefit from a part-time work setup because flexible schedules have been found to reduce absenteeism. With this, employees can efficiently work around activities that may require them to take time off from work in a 9-to-5 arrangement, like doctor check-ups and other appointments.

  1. Less Stress

Working part-time may also minimize the risk of workers experiencing burnout because they don’t feel as much stress with their jobs. The traditional setup puts a lot of pressure on employees because they have to render a specified number of hours within a particular time frame each day.

Moreover, less stress reduces the chances that you’ll binge-eat on junk food. Thus, you can make the right decisions and opt for healthier meals.

Some tips to help you manage stress at work:

  • Identify Your Stressors – Know what factors trigger your anxiety and address them appropriately. Some people find it difficult to cope with excessive workloads, while others wither in workplaces where they don’t get the support they need. Keeping a journal and reviewing it regularly can help you monitor the things that stress you out.
  • Be Conscious of Your Choices – It’s easy to look to alcohol and food to alleviate the tension that you’re feeling. However, you always have the choice to go for healthier options, like exercising or expressing yourself through art.
  • Learn How to Switch Off from Work – In today’s digital world, you may have fallen into the trap of thinking that you have to respond to inquiries from the office ASAP. However, you have to create boundaries and separate your work responsibilities from your personal life.
  1. Money Savings

If you freelance from home, you get to save money from commuting to and from the office. You also reduce the cost of eating out, especially since you don’t have to be in a rush every morning and skip your breakfast.

  1. Improved Work-Life Balance

Because of the flexible work hours, you can improve your work-life balance and foster healthier personal relationships. The rest you get from spending quality time with your family each day can give you the boost you need to face another workday ahead.

  1. Enhanced Creative Thinking

A part-time schedule can free up time for you to pursue passion projects and hobbies that you’ve always wanted to do. This can aid in boosting your creative thinking, which may be the reason why artists work so well with this working arrangement.

Conclusion

A part-time and full-time job has the same application process. Moreover, you can also gain the same pay and opportunities for growth given that you have the experience and skills for the role in the first place.

A part-time work arrangement might be even better for your situation because it provides you with flexible hours, less stress, money savings, improved work-life balance, and enhanced creative thinking.