Part Time Jobs in the United States

Part-Time Jobs Overview

Part-time jobs typically involve working fewer than 35 hours per week, or however many hours an employer deems “full-time.” Although full-time jobs often provide more benefits—such as health insurance and paid-time off—there are many reasons you might prefer to work a part-time job.

Part-time work is often ideal for:

• High school and college students.
• People with health limitations and disabilities.
• Single parents.
• Parents who do not want to pay for costly childcare.
• People caring for aging parents.
• Full-time employees looking to supplement their income.

You can often find part-time work doing administrative jobs. You can start your search with some of the job titles below:

• bank teller jobs
• customer service jobs
• receptionist jobs

Part-Time Job Training and Skills

The training and skills you need to work part time depend on the type of job you’ll be doing. Plenty of part-time jobs require little or no experience. So, if you’re applying for your first part-time job, employers will look for basic soft skills such as:

• good communication.
• interpersonal skills.
• basic math skills.
• the ability to follow instructions.
• punctuality and a good work ethic.
• organizational skills.
• problem-solving skills.

Many high-paying part-time positions require experience and specialized credentials. For example, part-time nurse practitioners need at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Part-time psychologists must complete a doctoral or professional degrees and a residency.

Update Your Resume

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or applying for your first job, always provide a resume that highlights your skills and credentials. If you’re a student or a recent grad, keep in mind that many skills you develop while in high school can by applied to your first job. In addition to academics, extracurricular or volunteer experience can help you demonstrate your value to employers. Check out Monster’s high school resume template to learn how to create an effective first draft.

Cover letters aren’t just for high-paying, full-time jobs. Attaching a cover letter to your resume is a great way to get your resume into the “yes” pile. Check out our samples and templates to learn how to create a cover letter that gets results.

Interviewing for Part-Time Jobs

Pursuing a part-time opportunity can require full-time preparation. But putting the time in to get ready for an interview in advance will give you a leg up on the competition. With practice, you can get over your interview jitters and build a good rapport with your interviewer. Start by studying common interview questions you may encounter, including:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want this job?
• What are your goals?
• Why should we hire you?

How Much Do Part-Time Jobs Pay?

If you’re applying for a part-time position, you likely want to know if you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Part-time job pay varies by job type, location, educational background, and level of experience. Most part-time workers get paid hourly rather than earn a yearly salary. For example, cashiers typically earn $11.21 per hour and waitstaff earn about $11.33.

Find out how much you can earn in your area by using Monster’s Salary Tools. Just enter your job title and location into the search bar to get a pay estimate.

Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?

At Monster, we strongly suggest making company research a part of your job-seeking journey. Having more insight into a company will help you steer the conversation during an interview. Plus, it will help you determine which employer is the right fit for you. Monster’s company profiles provide several basic details on employers across a variety of industries, including:

• company locations and headquarters.
• company size.
• mission statements.
• workplace photos and videos.

Find Tons of Part-Time Jobs at Monster

Once you’re ready to look for part-time opportunities, set up your profile at Monster. We’ll match your skills and credentials with jobs in your field to make the process as easy as possible. And if you want to get free job notifications, we can send them straight to your phone to make it simple to apply.