Less money, more life

Here's a news flash: In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, most women with children younger than 18 said they would prefer part-time work over full-time positions. A similar survey 10 years ago found the same thing.

Raise your hand if you're surprised that women with children at home would prefer not to get up at 5 a.m., commute an hour or more, track their children via cellphone during breaks and return home at 7 p.m. to check homework and cook dinner. I'm pretty sure your hands are at your sides.

Indeed, part-time jobs are popular with more than just moms. Students, retirees and even small-business owners willingly choose part-time work while they pursue other interests. Others take these jobs when they can't find full-time positions. Still others take part-time jobs as a foot-in-the-door strategy.

The range of part-time jobs available is broader than most people imagine. One can work part time in customer service, of course, but also in such professions as consulting, teaching, accounting, programming and marketing. The trades also have part-time opportunities, as does the executive suite.

One of the nice surprises about part-time work in the last decade has been the increase in the number of employers who offer benefits such as vacation and health care to their part-time workers.

If you're interested in part-time work, these tips may help you get the most from the situation.

1. Think big while thinking small. Many organizations value their workers equally and depend on part-timers for high-level work. Approach the situation as if you were asking for something very valuable, because you are. Part time or full time, you will have access to the company's customers, equipment, files and, sometimes, finances. Treat the job search with the respect it deserves.

2. Get clear on your goals. Are you looking for the social relationships that part-time work provides? Trying to hold your place professionally while you earn a degree or raise kids? Or are you simply trying to bring in some income? Your answers to these questions will help you determine what kind of position to pursue.

3. Don't wait for an ad. The number of part-time positions available far exceeds the number you see advertised. Indeed, your next part-time job may not exist at all until you suggest it to an employer. In many cases, a boss will find it easier to create a position with part-time hours than one that requires more resources. Create a list of companies where you would like to work part time, and approach them directly with your request.

4. Know what you're selling. Do you have bookkeeping skills? A knack for writing? Technological know-how? Maybe you simply want to serve customers at a coffee shop in the neighborhood. Whether your main sales point is that you can network computers or that you live nearby, feature it in all your contacts with potential employers. Your résumé, cover letters and phone conversations all should emphasize these key messages.

5. Don't use full-time job-search strategies to find a part-time job. If you are looking for something outside your full-time field — say you're a former insurance professional seeking part-time hours in a bookstore — you need to downplay your other work life. A résumé that features high-level responsibilities will convince the bookstore owner that you're looking for more than this job would provide. Make a simpler résumé that highlights the skills and personality traits your potential new employers would care about most.

6. Get clear on your goals. Yup, this is the second tip repeated. Besides knowing why you want a part-time job, decide what you want from the specific job that you get. If your goal is to go full time eventually, create a strategy at work that helps you achieve that end. If you want to work part time until your youngest child is in kindergarten, you may be defending against offers to go full time before you're ready. In most cases, sharing your plans with your supervisor will help ensure a good work situation for both you and the company.

7. Enjoy yourself. Part-timers often get the fun parts of a job while avoiding the tedium of cleaning the break room or attending meetings. Enjoy your freedom!

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecare rservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.