How to Find the Best Part-Time Job to Match Your Skill Set

One of the interesting findings of the 2016 census was that more and more Canadians are choosing part-time employment. In fact, according to StatCan, only 56.2% of men aged 25 to 54 worked full-time in 2015, while even fewer women in the same age group – 43.7% – had full-time employment. There are many reasons why people may choose part-time work instead. It may be the only work they can find, for instance, but it may also be because part-time work offers more flexibility while they are studying or raising a family.

If you’re thinking about going part-time, it’s best to choose a job where you can make the most of your skills. This way you can earn more and avoid boredom. Looking for the perfect part-time job is very similar to looking for any other job. Here’s how to find the best part-time careers to match your skill set.

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Know what your skills are

Before you start scouring the classifieds for part-time job openings, be honest about what you can bring to the job. Make a list of all your hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable things you’ve learned, such as how to use different forms of technology. Soft skills are more related to your interpersonal abilities and include your work ethic, communication know-how and whether or not you can work in a team.

RELATED: These high-paying Canadian jobs don’t require a degree.

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Consider your interests

There are many part-time jobs in the retail and service industries, but if you’re going to spend all your working hours dreaming of doing something else, you’re probably not in the right job. Make a list of the things that you like doing before starting your job search. If you love the great outdoors, for instance, you may want to consider environmental jobs for people who love nature. Maybe there’s an animal shelter in your area that could use an extra pair of hands or you could become a nature guide on weekends.

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Consider your personality

Your personality has a huge impact on the part-time jobs that are best for you. If you’re outgoing and chatty, you’ll do great in retail or as a bartender. If you’re shy and reserved, you may want to look at some of the best jobs for introverts instead. Many creative careers allow you to work alone, at your own pace and according to your own schedule. Other great possibilities for part-time work if you’re an introvert are data entry, truck driving or construction work.

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Consider your schedule

How can you fit a part-time job into your life? How many hours of your week can you spend working at a part-time job? If you study or have another job during the day, you’ll need to look for part-time evening jobs.

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Can you manage a part-time job?

Your schedule may allow for a part-time job, but does your lifestyle? If you’re already exhausted after a day at work, taking on another part-time job will just add to your stress and be detrimental to your health. It may be better to look for higher-paying full-time jobs with the best work/life balance instead.

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Consider the money

One of your main reasons for considering a part-time job is probably that you want to supplement your income. However, you’ll be sacrificing free time, so you need to think about whether the money you’ll earn will be worth that sacrifice. If you want a quick, short-term income boost, casual part-time jobs may be your best option. There are several weird jobs that can make you extra cash for the holidays.

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Consider location

The best part-time careers are ones that don’t involve hours of commuting. After all, every minute you spend in traffic is a minute you could have used for something more productive or fulfilling, unless you want to write funny tweets about public transit. Look for part-time jobs that you can do from home or that are located close by to cut down on commuting time.

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Consider your resources

Many part-time jobs require some resources on your part. To be an Uber or Lyft driver or to deliver pizzas, for example, you’ll need a reliable car. To be an online tutor, you’ll need a fast, reliable internet connection. It will make more sense to look for a part-time job that you already have the resources for, rather than one that will require you to spend money.

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Look for flexibility

Especially if you’re raising kids, you’ll want a job that allows flexibility. Many of the best careers for moms could easily become the best part-time jobs for moms too. Before taking the job, find out whether you’ll be able to choose your own hours or change your schedule at short notice.

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Be flexible

If you’re willing to be flexible, you will have a wider range of part-time jobs to choose from. Because fewer people want to work nights, on weekends or during the holidays, there is less competition for jobs with these hours. You may even be able to command higher wages if you’re willing to work when nobody else wants to.

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Think about what the job means for your future

Of course you want a part-time job to help pay the bills, but do you want it to lead to bigger things? Be clear about the future you want and how your part-time job will help you get there. There are plenty of easy courses that will look amazing on your resume, but let’s face it: recruiters love experience. How will your part-time job help you gain the skills you need for your dream career?

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Consider freelancing

If you want to switch to part-time work because you want a more flexible schedule, consider doing your regular job on a freelance basis. This way you can choose the projects you want to work on and the companies you want to work for, while still doing what you love and earning good money. You may even find that you’re more productive when you work as a freelancer. Just be aware of the work-from-home mistakes to avoid.

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Do your research

Not all part-time jobs are created equal. Even the same job title can be very different depending on the employer. Be clear about what you want to do and then research the part-time job openings that interest you before you apply. Read online reviews of the employer and ask present and past employees about their experience working there. This will help you get a better idea of what you can expect, as well as what will be expected of you.

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Look for part-time jobs online

One of the easiest ways to look for top paying part-time jobs is to search online. There are many different websites for job searchers. To help you narrow down where to start looking, Betterteam has a handy list of the best job posting sites in Canada. Some are more general, while others specialize in certain niches.

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Reach out to former colleagues

Unless you’ve been guilty of too many habits guaranteed to make you unpopular at work, your former colleagues can be a great source of leads for part-time jobs. They know what you’re like and what you can do, so they’ll be able to match you with suitable jobs. They may also know who is hiring part-time and if you’re lucky, they may even give you part-time work themselves.

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Look on sites that specialize in part-time jobs

While most job sites have postings for part-time jobs too, there are sites such as FlexJobs that specialize in the more flexible career opportunities, such as remote work, seasonal work, freelance work and of course part-time work. These sites will make your search much easier and quicker.

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Use social media

Social media networks are another great source of part-time job opportunities. LinkedIn is an obvious choice. However, don’t underestimate the power of platforms like Facebook and Twitter to spread the word that you’re looking for part-time work. A friend of a friend might know of someone who’s hiring. You can also post in groups that share your interests.

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Contact companies directly

One way to find part-time work is to contact companies directly and ask if they’re hiring. You might get an invitation for an interview before the company has even advertised the job. Have a professionally prepared resume to send to their HR department or to take with you when you visit the company. Even when you’re just popping in to ask if they’re hiring, be sure to dress for a job interview. You want to make a good first impression, after all.

Woman holding a sign that says 'hire me'

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Don’t forget low-tech search methods

While looking online is a convenient way of looking for part-time work, don’t forget the low-tech methods. Local businesses may post job advertisements on the notice board at your local library or community centre. They may also put up a sign in the window to say that they have a job opening available. Also think a little more creatively: if you’re looking for a job walking or grooming dogs, for instance, look for advertisements posted at the vet’s office.

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Be careful of scams

Unfortunately, scammers know that job seekers can be an easy target. If a job advertisement promises earnings that sound too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Other warning signs that a job posting may be a scam include asking for a payment upfront or for highly personal information such as your bank details or social insurance number before you get the job.