Shifting Gears: Balancing Part-Time Jobs and the Pursuit of Full-Time Careers

Amid difficulties in landing full-time positions, many individuals are undertaking part-time opportunities to sustain themselves financially. The challenge remains whether to mention these temporary roles in applications for more permanent employment.

Kevin Hannegan: The Balancing Act

Kevin Hannegan is navigating the waters of job searching after being let go from his directorial role in publishing in early 2024. His journey has included a range of part-time gigs, including driving for a delivery service, assisting in venue transformations at a local center, and completing various home repairs for friends. Though proud of his resilience, he's unsure if these roles belong on his résumé.

Opinions around him are divided: some say including them demonstrates his ongoing work ethic, while others suggest omitting roles irrelevant to his career field. Regardless of whether he lists them, Hannegan is aware that gaps in his employment will raise questions.

Job-seekers like Hannegan are figuring out whether to add nontraditional work to their job applications. The risk lies in explaining a résumé gap, whereas listing unrelated roles might not align with their career goals.

The Dilemma of Showcasing Work Experience

An individual who recently wrapped up contracts at major tech firms now finds himself scheduling different types of employment. While initially uninterested in lower-paying jobs, the continued job search has led him to take roles such as a tour guide and a postal service worker. His decision to leave these off his résumé stems from a concern over potential employer bias against those not working within their field.

Industry experts, like Indeed's Priya Rathod, recommend detailing all work experiences, emphasizing the competencies developed even in brief or unrelated positions. Employers, she notes, recognize the competitive job market and may value the initiative shown by continued workforce involvement.

Crafting a Narrative Without Employment Gaps

Some job seekers aim to illustrate continuous engagement in their desired fields, even when it requires creative framing of their experiences. A millennial from San Francisco lists himself as operating a communications consultancy, which sees minimal business activity, simply to portray an active professional status.

Similarly, Miles Bradley, impacted by layoffs, maintains a leadership title in a startup seeking funding. To exhibit ongoing involvement in tech, he retains this role on his résumé. According to Lisa Rangel of Chameleon Resumes, having a current position indicated, whether real or projected, aids visibility to recruiters who may prefer already employed candidates.

Considering Unlisted Side Ventures

Juan Pelaez has managed to avoid employment gaps by keeping part-time engagements with past employers. Alongside this, he has dabbled in acting as a background figure in films, a choice he's contemplating revealing in his job applications to possibly enhance prospects.