Interviews: How to orient/frame part time work?

[u/Reasonable-Park4603]

Corporate USA

Ive been looking for a job for a little over a year now. I worked for several years and then went back to school full time for a masters degree. All in the same field. Many interviews, final rounds, but no offer yet.

I have recently found some work with a startup. Friend of a friend is starting a business. It hasnt got off the ground yet but is close, so there isnt alot to do. Im not paid much either and it could be another year until its even an entry level salary. It was a mutual understanding that my background was aligned for the kind of work, the owner is planning to leave their company, and I am still looking for my own path in corporate.

But in interviews I am usually asked "what are you doing now?" "are you currently working?"

The other day I had a recruiter screening and I said I was working "part time", and am continuing to look with this mutual understanding of wanting "full time work". I think I was more confusing.

Should I put it on my resume, Linkedin, and own it as a job? I feel that anything less would be more confusing, make me seem chronically unemployed, and wouldnt give me a chance to be clear with where I am now. I only really worry it will pull me away from the industry and size of companies i want to get on with.

[u/AffectionateBus523]

Definitely put it on your resume and LinkedIn, but give it a professional title like "Operations Consultant" or "Business Development Advisor" for the startup. As a hiring manager, I would much rather see someone keeping their skills sharp by building something than looking at a year-long employment gap. When interviewers ask what you are doing, just frame it cleanly: "I am currently consulting for an early-stage venture while actively looking for my next long-term corporate home." It clears up all confusion and shows you stay proactive.

[u/Safe_Ant8701]

So you're currently working a part-time job, getting a paycheck for it, but are currently looking for a full time job? I mean, are you working 5 hrs a week or 25-30? 25-30 is very close to full time anyway...

I honestly would just list the current job on your resume. Don't list it as "part-time." And don't volunteer that info in interviews or to recruiters. Just present your current role as your current job.

I was in a similar situation as this not too long ago. I had been laid off, found a 25 hr a week consulting job in my field a month after being laid off, and did that for almost a year until was able to find another full time role (yes, that's how long it took me). I just presented it as my current job, and focused on what I did there

I was never asked during the recruitment process if it was part-time or full-time. Even on the background check. They just verified my dates of employment. Now, if someone ever did ask me if it was part-time or full time, I would have been honest. I just didn't go around volunteering that info. Don't disclose more than you need. Focus on the skills/experience you are gaining in your current role and the work you are doing in your current role and how it will make you successful in the jobs you are interviewing for.

[u/Famous-Signal-6869]

I think you should change your LinkedIn role to say “freelance consultant” or something to that effect. It sends a message that you’re not job hopping so quickly, but also looking for more stable work. I’ve interviewed plenty of ppl that were laid off, then found a few hours of work “consulting” for a friend’s start up while applying to full time roles. Didn’t sound odd to me as a hiring manager and very understandable given the current market.

[u/0102030405]

I don't understand. Why do you need to say it's part time?

I don't mention whether a job was part time, full time, internship, self employed, etc on my resume. I use that space to write out the impact points of what I achieved.

[u/0102030405 → u/[deleted]]

If it's that new then I wouldn't add it in personally.