Maybe you’re new to the working world and don’t know what you want to do yet. Maybe you’ve just had a big change in your life circumstances and are looking to re-enter the workforce after some time away. Or maybe you’re just feeling a little overwhelmed and burned out from the past few years. 

Have you considered working a part-time job, instead of a full-time one? 

There are plenty of benefits to taking a job that requires less than 40 hours per week. Granted, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. 

Consider this: 

• More flexibility in your life. If you’re juggling a lot — family, obligations, maybe caring for a relative or getting established in a new city — the idea of working a full-time job might seem like it would leave no time for anything else. Working a part-time job instead means you’ll have more time in your day, and in your week, allowing you to make time and space for the things that matter to you without giving up a paycheck. The other side of that is that your check wouldn’t be as substantial as what a full-time job would provide. 

• Keep your momentum going. Instead of tapping out of the career force, a part-time job allows you to take some time away while still working. You won’t have an employment gap on your resume; you’ll continue to use and sharpen your skills and you’ll stay on top of the important changes in your field. On the other hand, as a part-time employee, you might still miss out on some of the new developments if you’re restricted in how much training you can receive while on the job. 

• Save some money along the way. If you’re taking a part-time job to raise a family, or care for elderly relatives, this can help reduce the amount of money you’ll need to spend on services like child care or health assistance. You will continue to earn while taking on this important role for your family too. Or, if you’re new to working and don’t know what you want to do, working part-time means you’re still bringing in a paycheck, which can allow you to start saving for the future. There will always be expenses, of course, and a part-time job typically doesn’t pay as much as a full-time one, but if it’s the best course of action for this time in your life, it can be a winning option. Keep in mind, as well, that not all part-time jobs are eligible for some benefits, including health care coverage or retirement contributions. 

• Gain experience. For those looking to try a new career, or those who haven’t had much job experience, working a part-time job can be a great opportunity to pick up new skills and try out new jobs without committing to a permanent course of action right away. Part-time jobs can sometimes become full-time ones, when conditions are correct, and you’ll have the knowledge and experience after a few months on the job to know whether that’s something you want. As a downside, however, working part-time might mean you’re only introduced to a few responsibilities and tasks, limiting how much you’re really able to learn on the job. 

• Decide how to spend your time. Part-time work means, if you’re interested in trying a few things at once, a person could have multiple part-time jobs on different days or in different lines of work. That might allow for income close to what one full-time job would provide, without being limited to one thing. Working part-time also means you can go back to school, if you wanted, to earn a degree to specialize in a different line of work, all while continuing to provide for yourself and/or your family. Granted, you might not be able to pick and choose your schedule as much with some kinds of part-time work, as the jobs might offer unusual hours outside the normal Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Then again, that shift in hours might work well for someone who is sharing parenting or family care needs. 

Part-time work allows you to continue to work and gain experience without having a gap on your resume, bringing in income without being locked in to 40-hours per week. But it might be just the thing you need! 

If you’re looking for a good part-time job with a reputable company, contact Davis Staffing. We partner with great companies looking for permanent, temporary, full- and part-time employees and we’d be happy to help get you started. Contact Davis Staffing today and let’s get to work!