? QUESTION
“Sital, what’s the best way to secure part-time work for back to work mums? There seems to be nothing around and I keep getting rejected. What do you suggest?”
MY ANSWER
Before I answer the question, let me make you aware of some quick points worth bearing in mind about finding part-time work.
Some quick points about part-time employment
• Part-Time vacancies are often not advertised
A large proportion of part-time roles are not advertised – they’re simply filled by contacts and referrals. In some segments of the market, 75% of part-time roles are filled via employee referrals
• Part-Time vacancies are often created for a particular person
A significant number of part-time roles are created after an employer or business leaders comes across someone. E.g. The business have a need, but not a vacancy. We then come across an old contact or referral with the skills and experience we need – so we create a part-time role for them.
• You need to be work harder to find part-time employment
If you’re after part time work, you need be more proactive than most job seekers.
Whilst there are some exceptions in certain industries (e.g. retail, catering and hospitality sectors), on the whole, there is a huge demand for part-time work but simply not the supply of opportunities. So you’ll have to work harder and be much smarter in your approach than others (i.e. spending a couple of hours a day applying for jobs online is not enough).
The 7 Strategies
So bearing these points in mind – here are some suggestions for mums looking for part time work:
1. Be more specific about what you want
Many back-to-work mum’s often say “Oh I’m looking for something part-time work. Do you know anyone that’s hiring? You know, something I can do during school hours”
What does that mean?!?
Such statements are far too vague.
What can you do? What type of employers and teams are you targeting? What type of roles?
It’s much better to say: “I have XYZ skills and experience and I’m looking to work with ABC type companies. Who do you know I can speak with?”
This makes it much easier for people to refer or recommend you.
2. Forget job titles
Whilst I’m asking you to be more specific – don’t limit the opportunities coming to you by pigeon-holing yourself with a job title.
Instead of talking about job titles, focus on articulating:
a) The type of target employers and teams you’re looking to work with
b) The kind of problems and goals which they may have
c) The type of work you can do to help them solve their problems and/or achieve their goals
d) The results and benefits they’ll get as a result of working with you
Most people simply talk about point c) – What they can do. And consequently get pigeon-holed.
Instead, I suggest you spend very little time talking about what you can do – and more time describing the target employers, their problems and the results you can help achieve. You’re much more likely to be referred to someone that way. And much more likely to open yourself to a wider range of opportunities in related jobs and roles which may not have thought about. .
3. Don’t waste too much time applying via websites and recruiters
Whilst sitting at home applying for jobs online may be the easiest thing to do (especially when you have a young family to look after), it’s usually the least effective way to find work.
Remember, something like 75% of part-time roles are being filled via contacts and referrals – so by just applying for jobs online – you and the rest of the back-to-work mums are only applying for one-quarter of the part-time jobs out there. And so it becomes a “numbers game” – and the reason why so many mum’s find it so hard to secure interviews for the right kind of roles.
It’s not because “there are no jobs out there” – it’s because you’re taking the wrong approach!
So instead of spending all your time on websites and applying to recruiters – your part-time job search strategy should be focused around speaking with contacts and networking. More specifically you should be networking with warm contacts - people who know you well.
4. Approach ex-employers and ex-colleagues first
Even if it’s several years since you worked – approaching your previous employer is the first thing you should be doing.
And DON’T approach HR – but instead approach ex-managers and ex-colleagues. They may still refer you to HR but you’ll have more success if referred to them via a line manager than approaching HR direct.
Also – approach ex-colleagues who have moved on from your previous employers. People that know your work, trust you and like you will be best placed to refer you onto their contacts
“Boss, I think you should meet Sharon – we both worked together at XYZ company 5 years ago – she’s excellent and just the kind of person we need right now.”
That type of recommendation comes from people who have worked with you – not recruiters who hardly know you.
So re-activate relationships with old contacts, old friends and ex-colleagues. Use www.LinkedIn.com as a really simple way to find old contacts and network professionally without it feeling weird or awkward. If you’re not familiar with LinkedIn, here are 10 tips you can use to find opportunities using LinkedIn.
5. Approach friends and family
Once again – the people who know you well are most likely to recommend you. So don’t dismiss anyone – the mum’s you meet on the school run or at your weekly “coffee mornings” will know people – even if they haven’t worked for a number of years.
6. Think Small
Many people automatically turn to big companies when searching for part-time work. Yet large corporates are often the least flexible when it comes to working hours and flexible roles.
Small and mid-sized firms, on the other hand, are much more open to flexible working patterns. Be it part-time work, working from home, job sharing etc.
So don’t rule out working for a smaller firm. Even if you’ve always worked in large firms - use the strategies in this article to target smaller firms who would jump at the chance to have someone with your skills and knowledge – but had never thought they could attract someone like you to their business.
7. Don’t ask for a part-time job. Instead offer to “help out”
Many firms these days are cutting back and may have a complete freeze on external recruitment. So the minute you tell your friends that “I’m looking for a job” the automatic reply will be “our company isn’t hiring.”
Or if you say “I’m looking for part-time work” even more people will just shut down and say “Oh, our firm doesn’t have part-time roles.”
But the reality is that although there are fewer “vacancies” in the market (when compared to 5 years ago) – there are lots of problems and plenty of work to do (and a tough market creates more work for a business, not less).
Businesses are struggling, many teams have fewer employees, are very lean and under significant pressure to achieve more with less resources.
So instead of asking for a “job” – you should start talking to people who know you and say something like:
“Do you know of any businesses or small business owners who are struggling to cope with their current workloads? Maybe a company who can’t afford to hire staff but maybe needs some occasional help?”
or
“I’m looking to support any local small businesses looking for help with xyz (the type of skills / work you have experience in). Who do you know that is overloaded with work and maybe needs some help. Maybe on a part-time basis to keep the costs down?”
If they have a need and they can see clear commercial benefits of having some part-time resource they will create a role. And if you’ve been highly recommended by a mutual contact – you’ll be the front runner for the role.
Some Final Questions For You?
Which ONE of these 7 strategies do you need you need to focus on right now to speed up your job search?What’s the next step? The one call, email or action you can take to move you forward?What would happen if you took that step TODAY?
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