Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question, “what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.
Most people who are looking for a job will automatically assume that they have to be searching for something full time or that most employers will only offer a full time working option, and although like everything, working full time certainly comes with a lot of benefits, such as more money, sometimes a part-time working option could actually be the better choice for you, and should perhaps be something you think about from a long-term strategy point of view.
There are some very real benefits of working part-time, and this option might be better suited to you and your lifestyle.
More Time
Whilst it may be pretty obvious, it’s most definitely a good benefit of working part-time that you should consider. Whether you need more time during the week to take care of other things, or simply don’t want to spend eight hours per day every day in the office, then working part-time will definitely free up a good amount of hours for you during the week.
Better Work/Life Balance
Part-time can be the ideal compromise for those seeking a better work/life balance. This is especially true for parents who want to be there when their kids return from school, but who also don’t want to stay home all day. It can also be good for those caring for relatives or who just simply have other commitments that they need to work around, but that typical working hours don’t really offer the freedom to do.
Can Focus On Other Things
When working a typical 8 to 5 schedule, plus the hour or two needed on each side for a commute to and from the office, then it really doesn’t offer much time for things like appointments that are typically held during business hours. Whether it’s a doctors appointment, or even just extra time to focus on studying for your online MBA in business intelligence, working part-time will definitely offer you the freedom and flexibility in your schedule to focus on doing these things without having to take time off or squeeze in studying in the evenings after a long day at the office.
Can Still Make The Same Or More Money
Many people hold a misconception about working part-time where they think that it means less money, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Depending on what your job is, and what your qualifications are, you may be getting paid for your level of skill and not necessarily for the hours you work, so working part-time could bank you just the same or even more than someone working full time. Another important thing to consider is that, if you’re a working parent, depending on where you live, you may be eligible for extra support in the form of working tax credits and other government incentives. You may also find you pay fewer taxes, so overall you could actually find yourself better off financially each month by working less.