7 Reasons Part-Time Jobs Look Good on Your Resume

By Gregory John "G.J." Vitale on November 21, 2013

“It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll.”

You may ask, “GJ, what does this famous line shouted by AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott have to do with resumes and post-graduation job searches?” Well good-question-asking reader, it should encourage yet sober your career aspirations. Not many people are lucky enough to strike gold directly out of college. Most of us will have to work our way to the top, taking the scrub work in stride, sucking up to bosses, working on projects we may not find all that invigorating and, yes, smiling when all we want to do is scream and yell and break things.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

The point is, we all have to have a job before a career…and a lot of times, a part-time job before a job job (yes, I meant to write “job” twice). Potential employers understand that, so I would encourage you college students not to be afraid to include those less-than-ideal, part-time jobs on your resume. Here are 7 reasons why:

1. Better than nothing

It might seem a simple answer to a much more complicated issue, but, honestly, sometimes the simplest reasons are the best. A full resume stocked with part-time job experience looks a whole lot better than an empty one.

2. Professional experience

Whether it’s part-time or not, potential employers want to see that you’ve at least spent some time on some professional scene. Getting your feet wet is a big and important step in the job world, and no employer is going to want to hire that guy or gal who’s never had at least some working experience. Two summers as a McDonald’s fry cook, although not a glamorous position by any means, not only show others you can handle yourself in the workplace, but also give you invaluable experience. You have to learn the ropes at any new job you get, so having done it at least a couple times before will leave you better prepared for that job you actually want.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

3. Multitasking ability

If you are in college and managing to work at the same time, that shows you have the ability to multitask. Potential employers should respect your ability to keep a job while attending classes full time, so I doubt they will be disappointed to hear that job is actually a part-time gig. If they are any self-respecting institution, they will commemorate any professional work experience that was accomplished alongside coursework.

4. Time management ability

Multitasking goes hand-in-hand with time management. Juggling classes and extracurriculars is hard enough as it is; adding on a job, even a part-time one, is a load not many can handle. Employers will recognize that. This will also prepare you for stretches down the road when you think, “Man, there is no way I can make all these deadlines/finish all these projects/finalize all these deals.” At those crossroads, you can stand back and remember the 20 things you were handling back when you were in school and working simultaneously and retain the confidence that you can get through it.

5. You look like a go-getter

Every employer wants that “must have desire for success” quality in a new employee. With the inclusion of a couple part-time jobs on your resume, you may illustrate that quality, or at least show the potential for it. If you are working, even if it is only part-time, it shows you have the drive to stay busy and ambition to seek opportunities.

6. Company recognition

Your part-time jobs could serve as a recognition tool for your potential new employer. Chances are, they didn’t start at the positions they are currently in. Who knows? Maybe he started out as a McDonald’s fry cook, too. Even if he didn’t, maybe he really respects McDonald’s as a business or really likes their fries (and hey, you make ‘em!). The point is, it won’t hurt to try. Although they’re are a long shot, connections like these could happen.

7. Diverse job history

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Part-time jobs are often a cool way to show your diverse experience on an otherwise-bland piece of paper. You were a camp counselor for three summers in a row getting paid to organize fun events for overweight teens? To me, that would be different and catch my eye. Obviously an internship at Morgan Stanley is more impressive, but if your employer is looking for more than just a number-punching robot, they will appreciate the not-so-fancy jobs as well.

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