Part-time jobs on the rise

After applying to more than 75 full-time positions for more than six months and receiving only one call back for a lackluster interview, Jackie Pervus has changed her employment plan. A sign for a part-time counter employee position in a local sandwich shop that had recently opened drew her attention.

She filled out an application and was interviewed right away. After securing that position and holding her first paycheck after such a long dry spell, she was inspired. She now holds two part-time jobs and is looking for a third.

"It just made sense, and now my bills are getting paid," Pervus said.

And, possibly more important, something else has returned to the 52-year-old mother of three's personal portfolio.

"I have confidence again, I feel good again," she said.

Part-time positions are on the rise as employers attempt to cut corners to stay in business. While the pay and benefits can be less than a full-time position, often considerably less, there are some positive points for taking that part-time job while continuing to search for full-time employment.

Part-time work is defined by federal law as a position that requires less than 1,000 hours a year, or 17.5 hours a week. However, part-time employees are finding that they can work 30 hours a week without the benefits of a full-time position as companies try to find ways to cut corners and remain in business, particularly small establishments.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics show that women made up 25 percent of the part-time female wage and salary workers in 2003 and only 11 percent in total were men, often young men.

In 2006, a BLS survey showed that part-time workers chose the positions due to lifestyle or monetary needs based on child care, school or retirement, with the average hours worked at 21 per week. But some high-paying jobs can be part-time jobs, including physical therapists, dental hygienists, production assistants and pharmacists.

Part-time positions have increased since the economic downturn in 2007. Students, retirees, parents of young children and now many previous full-time employees who find themselves unemployed are finding that part-time work is a fruitful alternative, albeit with a few negatives such as the lack of bonus opportunities or significant annual raises. Part-time employees often do not receive medical and dental insurance.

Not so for some local companies.

Benefits are available for many employees on a store-to-store basis, said Dina Mitchell, area developer for Tropical Smoothie Cafés Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Ventura region. The need for part-time and night-shift employees is a constant necessity for this growing company.

"A majority of our shifts are filled by entry-level employees, which creates a high turnover," she said.

Therefore most stores have opportunities for part-time employees throughout the year and increased need in the warmer months.

Tropical Smoothie Café began in Florida in 1997 and has expanded its franchise business across the country and increased its menu offerings to include grilled flatbreads and other lunch items.

There are quite a few potential avenues for part-time employees to turn their positions into careers with the Tropical Smoothie Café franchise.

"If we have the need, and the employee is willing and able, they often end up as full time," Mitchell said.

And they take care of all of the company's employees, whether full time or not.

"Each location usually offers special discounts for food and free smoothies," she said.

Tropical Smoothie Café is currently hiring for management and front-of-store positions.

Managers are trained according to the Tropical Smoothie Café business model, and, while previous restaurant experience is a plus, it is not required. Each franchise store has bonus and incentive plans for all of its employees, including part-timers. Those that show a strong desire to excel can often rise to full time and other more permanent positions rather quickly, Mitchell said.

Most local stores are still in the process of hiring for holiday shifts and night shifts, which can be difficult to fill.

During the application process, Tropical Smoothie Café weeds out the job seekers who seem to be truly hungry for work and the potential to turn the part-time into a full-time job.

"Motivated job seekers usually prove their enthusiasm to take on additional responsibility or more hours soon after starting employment with us," she said.

Mitchell offers this advice for job seekers looking for full-time work but interviewing for a part-time position.

"Make the owner/manager aware of your goals at the time of the interview," she said.

Employers commented that often they see that part-time employees may not be as invested in their future with the company compared to full-time employees, something they try to do something about.

"Part-time employment is a great way to test out a job and learn if business expectations match your own," Mitchell said.

The advantages of hiring part-time employees is that costs can be lower for small businesses, which may have otherwise been forced to close altogether without its part-time employees.

Goodwill of Southern Nevada's Career Connection program assists people in finding part-time and full-time employment, said Kathy Topp, director of marketing and community affairs at Goodwill of Southern Nevada.

"We offer free resume help, one-on-one individualized career counseling, Internet access, training and support services to help people find jobs," Topp said.

While Goodwill of Southern Nevada doesn't hire a large amount of part-time employees locally, many of its part-time employees move on to full-time positions fairly quickly.

"Goodwill of Southern Nevada only has a about a half dozen part-time employees," Topp said. "We hire for full-time positions and currently have about 400 employees."

The company looks for loyalty and good work ethic in promoting its part-time employees.

"We advise job seekers to be flexible," Topp said. "Hiring managers are often looking for people who are open to different days off or nontraditional hours. As a job seeker, the goal is to get your foot in the door."

And that is key to most part-time positions turning into full-time employment, she said.

"Obviously, most job seekers are looking for full-time employment," Topp said. "However, interviewing for or accepting a part-time position can be a good thing. If you're not working, part-time employment is better than no time. It stops the employment gap in your resume, updates your work history and adds skills to your resume. They key is to let your employer know that your goal is to work full time."

Since Jan. 1, 2010, Goodwill's Career Connections centers have helped more than 850 people find employment, despite the high unemployment rate. The success rate is based on the availability of the centers to unemployed locals and the program's far-reaching connections.

"Our help is 100 percent free to job seekers," Topp said. Call 214-2025 for more information, or visit Goodwill headquarters at 1280 W. Cheyenne Ave at Martin Luther King Boulevard or 3345 E. Tropicana Ave.

Manpower Inc. of Southern Nevada is a temporary staffing agency that has been putting people to work in Las Vegas since 1964.

"Our business is employment and we are seeing significant increases in hiring among our client companies," said Tom Haynie, chief operating officer, Manpower Inc. of Southern Nevada.

"We are always looking for individuals who seek work both part time and full time," Haynie said. "We anticipate significant hiring during 2011."

Temporary employment should not be confused with part-time work. Frequently a temporary position is full time, from 30 to 40 hours per week. Many full-time, temporary positions will transition to permanent positions with the companies that utilize temporary employees, he said.

"We do have part-time positions in our portfolio, those that require less than 30 hours per week," Haynie said. "Many of these opportunities have a short life span and may not transition to permanent work. Nevertheless, a part-time worker who shows that he or she has a strong work ethic has a good chance of being placed on a future full-time assignment."

Benefits can be afforded to temporary or part-time employees, with exceptions.

"We offer all temporary employees, both part time and full time, a choice between two health benefit plans which they can choose depending on their circumstances and needs," Haynie said. "One of the plans is funded by contributions from both the employee and the company and the other is entirely employee-funded."

When applying, employers look at a number of factors to determine who is truly hungry for work and the potential to turn the part-time into a full-time job.

"We have a number of assessment tools that we can use to determine the skill levels of the employees and fit them to the needs of our client companies," Haynie said. "We find that the majority of job seekers who come through our doors are truly looking for work and are willing to accept temporary positions, either full time or part time, in order to have an income. In many cases they continue their job search while working for us and we do whatever we can to aid them in finding adequate employment."

For those looking to supplement their income with temporary or part-time work, Haynie offers this advice on turning a part-time position into a full-time job during the interview process.

"Bring the same level of work ethic to your part-time position as you would to a full-time position," Haynie said. "Employers are looking for workers who show that they want to do the best job they can. The competition is heavy and the worker who shows enthusiasm, motivation and hard work will be the one who successfully achieves a full time position when one becomes available."

Manpower has seen a significant increase in demand for temporary employees over the past several months. This has always been the case when the economy emerges from a recession, Haynie said.

"Employers will look to temporary staffing agencies well before they are ready to put on permanent staff," he said. "This increase we are experiencing bodes very well for the rest of the economy and is a strong indicator that companies will begin hiring permanent employees in the future. As we continue to hear positive news about manufacturing, increases in visitor volume, new industries moving to Las Vegas, etc., we will begin seeing relief in the unemployment rate that has been the focus of so much discussion in the media."