How can I tell potential employers I only want to work part time?

Question

I am a single woman with no children.I currently work full time.I have ageing parents who also take up a considerable amount of my time.Between work and my parents there is no time left for me.In my current circumstances I could afford to work part time, although this would not be possible with my present employers, who do not like employing part time staff, but what reasons can I give to new potential employers as to why I want to work part time?If I say I need more time to spend with my parents, will they think I'm a liability? On the other hand, if I say I want more time to myself, will employers think that I'm not committed to my job, which I am? I would like to spend some of the extra time doing voluntary work; is this an acceptable reason to give? If I do obtain part time employment, will I ever be taken seriously by employers again? After all, there may come a time when I need to return to full time work.

Answer 1

If you are working full-time from 8:00am to 4:00pm daily, tell your employer that you plan to work from 6:00am to 10:00am and from4:00pm to 8:00pm so that you have an interval of 6hrs in daylight to serve your ageing parents. This is similar to part-time job.

Answer 2

First of all, let me say that I think it's commendable that you are taking care of your parents. Many would just "dump them" into a nursing home and forget about them, which is terrible!

A couple of suggestions:

1) Put an objective on your resume saying that you're looking for part-time work. This way, it's clear and employers will know right from the start that you're not seeking full-time.

2) Apply only for part-time or temp work, or something flex that would work around your situation.

3) If an employer asks why part-time, then explain that you are helping out in caring for a family member and just don't have enough time to devote to full-time. But you DO have enough time to do part-time work. This makes you look good! You're showing responsibility, flexibility, and caring for others.

And you could put their mind further at easy by letting them know that it would not intefere with your being able to work part-time. After all, you're doing it full-time now, and are handling it OK. You just want some more time to devote to your family rather than work, which is perfectly understandable.

Answer 3

Apply for part time jobs, and explain about your ageing parents and that would like some time left over to pursue other activities - like voluntary work, education.

When you do decide to back to full time employment, tell them you were looking after your ageing parents, and during that time just worked part time to keep your hand in and to be aware in the changes in offices/shops/working environment.

Answer 4

Why don't you apply only for part-time jobs? Then there need be no questions asked or answered. Many employers actually prefer part-timers these days, as it cuts down on their tax and insurance obligations. Any half-decent employer usually advertises half-decent posts as .....Job share considered..... Good luck

Answer 5

just be honest. i took care of my grandfather for a few years and had to quit working completely because he needed someone with him all the time. i took a 3rd shift job so i could put him to bed before i went to work and get him up when i got home but even that didnt work. he fell out of bed one night and had to sleep on the floor because he couldnt get up. i quit my job that day and just lived off my savings, and my credit cards the last year.

Answer 6

Rule huge variety one...safeguard huge variety one! If those skills make you seem over qualified for the pastime then do not tell them. it is going to easily seem as in case you want numerous pastime at the moment and could go away once you handed your tests. on the different hand, in case you imagine it might want to be sensible you in this pastime it might want to no longer be a foul theory to tutor it because it is going to tutor that you're formidable.