Listing a Part-Time Job on a Resume: Complete Guide
Part-time work is increasingly common across all stages of careers—from students balancing jobs with education to professionals pursuing side gigs or transitioning between full-time roles. Whether you worked part-time to gain experience, supplement income, or maintain work-life balance, knowing how to present this work on your resume can strengthen your candidacy and demonstrate valuable skills.
This guide will help you decide when to include part-time jobs on your resume, how to format them effectively, and how to maximize the impact of your part-time experience.
When to Include Part-Time Jobs on Your Resume
Include Part-Time Work When:
The Experience Is Relevant If your part-time job relates to the position you’re applying for, include it regardless of hours worked. A part-time marketing assistant role is highly relevant when applying for marketing positions.
You Have Limited Work Experience For students, recent graduates, or those early in their careers, part-time work demonstrates work ethic and provides examples of professional skills.
It Demonstrates Transferable Skills Part-time jobs often develop communication, customer service, time management, and teamwork skills that apply across industries.
It Fills Employment Gaps Part-time work during periods between full-time jobs shows you remained productive and engaged.
You Developed Notable Achievements If you accomplished something significant in a part-time role—promotions, awards, measurable results—it’s worth including.
It Shows Career Progression Part-time roles that led to full-time positions or demonstrated growth within a company add value to your narrative.
Consider Excluding Part-Time Work When:
You Have Extensive Full-Time Experience If you have 10+ years of relevant full-time experience, older part-time jobs may no longer add value.
It’s Completely Irrelevant A part-time retail job from a decade ago may not strengthen your candidacy for a senior engineering position (unless it demonstrates specific relevant skills).
Space Is Limited If including the part-time job means cutting more relevant content, prioritize what strengthens your candidacy most.
It Was Very Brief Extremely short tenures (less than a month) might raise questions unless you have a good explanation.
How to Format Part-Time Jobs
Option 1: List Like Any Other Position
The simplest approach is to format part-time jobs exactly like full-time positions:
RETAIL SALES ASSOCIATE
Target | Boston, MA | June 2022 - Present
• Provide exceptional customer service to 100+ customers daily, maintaining 98% satisfaction rating
• Process sales transactions and resolve customer inquiries efficiently
• Train new team members on point-of-sale systems and store proceduresThis approach works well when:
- The part-time nature isn’t crucial information
- The role was substantial (20+ hours/week)
- You want to emphasize the work equally with other positions
Option 2: Indicate Part-Time Status
Include “Part-Time” in your listing:
MARKETING ASSISTANT (Part-Time)
ABC Marketing Agency | Chicago, IL | September 2023 - Present
• Support digital marketing campaigns for 5+ clients
• Manage social media accounts, increasing engagement by 25%
• Create content for email newsletters reaching 10,000+ subscribersOr:
MARKETING ASSISTANT
ABC Marketing Agency | Chicago, IL | September 2023 - Present (Part-Time)This approach is helpful when:
- You want to explain having multiple concurrent positions
- The part-time nature explains the scope of responsibilities
- You’re showing work-study or school-concurrent employment
- It provides context for fewer achievements than typical full-time roles
Option 3: Group Multiple Part-Time Jobs
If you held several part-time positions simultaneously:
CONCURRENT PART-TIME POSITIONS
September 2022 - May 2023
Customer Service Representative (Part-Time)
XYZ Call Center | Denver, CO
• Resolved 50+ customer inquiries daily
• Maintained 95% customer satisfaction rating
Server (Part-Time)
The Downtown Bistro | Denver, CO
• Provided table service in high-volume restaurant
• Managed cash and credit transactions accuratelyOption 4: Create a “Relevant Experience” Section
For career changers or those with mixed experience:
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Digital Marketing Intern (Part-Time)
Tech Startup Inc. | Remote | January - June 2023
• Managed company social media presence across 4 platforms
• Created marketing content that increased website traffic by 35%
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Barista (Part-Time)
Starbucks | Austin, TX | June 2022 - December 2022
• Delivered fast-paced customer service
• Trained 3 new team membersFormatting Different Types of Part-Time Work
Student Part-Time Jobs
When listing jobs held during school:
Option A - Indicate Concurrent Status:
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (Part-Time, concurrent with full-time studies)
University Career Center | Austin, TX | August 2022 - May 2024
• Scheduled appointments and maintained calendar for 3 career counselors
• Assisted students with resume reviews and career resources
• Organized career fair logistics for events with 100+ employersOption B - Place in Separate Section:
WORK EXPERIENCE DURING EDUCATION
Library Assistant
University Library | State University | 2022 - 2024
• Provided research assistance to students and faculty
• Managed circulation desk during evening shiftsFreelance/Gig Work
Part-time freelance work should be presented professionally:
FREELANCE GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Self-Employed | Remote | January 2022 - Present (10-15 hours/week)
• Provide branding, print, and digital design services for small businesses
• Completed 25+ projects for clients across retail, tech, and nonprofit sectors
• Maintain 100% client satisfaction rating on Upwork with 5-star reviewsSeasonal Part-Time Work
For seasonal positions:
TAX PREPARER (Seasonal)
H&R Block | Phoenix, AZ | January - April 2023, 2024
• Prepared 200+ individual and small business tax returns per season
• Achieved 98% accuracy rate on return submissions
• Earned "Top Performer" recognition in 2024 seasonWork-Study Programs
WORK-STUDY RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Department of Psychology | Boston University | September 2022 - May 2024
• Assisted faculty with data collection and entry for longitudinal study
• Conducted literature reviews and annotated bibliographies
• Recruited and scheduled 50+ research participantsDescribing Part-Time Job Achievements
Focus on Accomplishments, Not Hours
Don’t let part-time status diminish your achievements:
Instead of: “Worked 20 hours per week helping customers”
Write: “Provided exceptional service to 50+ customers daily, consistently earning positive feedback and contributing to store’s 95% satisfaction rating”
Quantify Your Impact
Numbers demonstrate value regardless of hours worked:
- “Processed 100+ transactions daily with 99.5% accuracy”
- “Trained 5 new team members, reducing onboarding time by 2 weeks”
- “Increased social media followers by 40% over 6 months”
- “Generated $15,000 in sales during holiday season”
Highlight Transferable Skills
Part-time jobs often develop universally valuable skills:
Customer Service: “Resolved complex customer complaints, de-escalating situations and maintaining customer relationships”
Time Management: “Balanced 25-hour work schedule while maintaining full course load and 3.8 GPA”
Leadership: “Led team of 4 during supervisor’s absence, maintaining operations and meeting daily targets”
Communication: “Presented daily specials and menu recommendations, increasing upsells by 20%“
Part-Time Job Resume Examples
Example 1: Student Resume
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Marketing University of Texas at Austin | Expected May 2025 | GPA: 3.7
WORK EXPERIENCE
Marketing Intern (Part-Time) Austin Digital Agency | Austin, TX | January 2024 - Present • Support marketing campaigns for 3 local business clients • Create social media content that increased client engagement by 30% • Conduct competitive research and prepare client presentation materials
Campus Ambassador (Part-Time) Red Bull | University of Texas | August 2023 - Present • Execute marketing events reaching 500+ students per semester • Manage campus sampling program and event logistics • Track and report engagement metrics for regional team
Barista (Part-Time) Starbucks | Austin, TX | June 2022 - July 2023 • Provided fast-paced customer service during peak morning shifts • Trained 4 new baristas on drink preparation and POS systems • Earned “Partner of the Month” recognition twice
Example 2: Career Changer
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Graphic Designer (Part-Time/Freelance) Self-Employed | Remote | January 2023 - Present • Provide branding and marketing design services for small businesses • Created brand identities for 15+ clients including logos, business cards, and marketing collateral • Developed social media graphics packages, increasing client engagement by average 35%
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Administrative Manager Law Offices of Johnson & Smith | Chicago, IL | 2018 - 2023 • Managed office operations and staff of 5 administrative professionals • Created internal documents and presentations (early design skill development) • Coordinated firm events and marketing materials
Example 3: Return to Workforce
RECENT EXPERIENCE
Bookkeeper (Part-Time) ABC Small Business Services | Denver, CO | March 2023 - Present • Manage accounts payable/receivable for 10 small business clients • Prepare monthly financial statements and reconciliations • Implemented new invoicing system reducing payment delays by 30%
Volunteer Treasurer Denver Community Center | Denver, CO | 2021 - 2023 • Managed $200K annual budget for nonprofit organization • Prepared financial reports for board meetings • Implemented new donation tracking system
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Accountant XYZ Corporation | Denver, CO | 2010 - 2018 [Previous full-time experience listed]
Addressing Part-Time Work in Special Situations
Multiple Concurrent Part-Time Jobs
If you held several part-time jobs simultaneously, you can:
Option A: List each separately, indicating part-time status Option B: Group under one heading if they’re similar Option C: Select the most relevant and omit others
Part-Time During Job Search
If you took part-time work while seeking full-time employment:
- Frame positively as maintaining professional engagement
- Highlight skills developed or maintained
- Show you remained productive during transition
Part-Time for Work-Life Balance
If you chose part-time work intentionally:
- No need to explain personal choices
- Focus on achievements and contributions
- Let the work speak for itself
Part-Time to Full-Time Transitions
If a part-time role became full-time:
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Tech Solutions Inc. | San Francisco, CA | June 2022 - Present
Promoted from Part-Time Sales Associate | June 2022 - December 2022
• Exceeded sales quota by 30% in first full-time quarter
• Manage portfolio of 50+ client accounts
• Generated $500K in new business revenueCommon Questions About Part-Time Jobs on Resumes
Do I Have to Disclose That a Job Was Part-Time?
No. There’s no requirement to specify part-time status. Include it when it adds context or explains your situation; omit it when it doesn’t add value.
Will Employers Think Less of Part-Time Experience?
Not necessarily. Employers value:
- Relevant skills and achievements
- Work ethic and professionalism
- Demonstrated capabilities
The quality of your experience matters more than the hours worked.
How Far Back Should I Include Part-Time Jobs?
Generally follow the same rule as other experience:
- Include relevant recent experience (last 10-15 years)
- Earlier part-time jobs can be omitted unless highly relevant
- Focus on what strengthens your current candidacy
Should I Include Hours Worked?
Usually not necessary. The achievements and responsibilities tell the story. Only include hours if it provides important context (e.g., “10-15 hours/week while completing full-time graduate program”).
Tips for Maximizing Part-Time Experience
Focus on Achievements Over Duties
Transform responsibilities into accomplishments:
Duty-focused: “Responsible for customer service” Achievement-focused: “Delivered excellent customer service, earning consistent positive feedback and contributing to store’s top regional satisfaction scores”
Highlight Relevant Skills
Connect part-time experience to your target role:
For leadership positions: Team training, shift supervision, conflict resolution For customer-facing roles: Client relations, communication, problem-solving For technical positions: Systems knowledge, accuracy, process improvement
Use Strong Action Verbs
Start bullets with impactful verbs:
- Achieved, delivered, exceeded
- Managed, coordinated, led
- Developed, created, implemented
- Improved, increased, optimized
Quantify When Possible
Numbers add credibility:
- Customers served per day
- Sales generated
- Error rates/accuracy
- Training completed
- Awards/recognition earned
Using Professional Tools
Creating a professional resume that effectively presents both full-time and part-time experience can be simplified with the right tools. Platforms like 0portfolio.com offer templates and guidance to help you format various types of work experience consistently and professionally.
Conclusion
Part-time jobs can be valuable additions to your resume when presented effectively. The key is to focus on what you accomplished and the skills you developed—not on the hours you worked. Whether you’re a student, career changer, or professional with diverse experience, part-time work demonstrates initiative, capability, and real-world skills that employers value.
Remember these key principles:
- Include part-time jobs when they add value to your candidacy
- Format consistently with your other experience
- Indicate part-time status when it provides helpful context
- Focus on achievements and skills over job duties
- Quantify your impact whenever possible
- Connect your experience to the role you’re seeking
Part-time experience is legitimate professional experience. Present it confidently, highlighting the skills and accomplishments that make you a strong candidate for your target position.
