want part-time job, even if "overqualified" - how to present to employers

[Anonymous]

I am seeking part-time employment (about 20 hours a week) to be home more with my kids. I have over 10 years experience in a professional capacity (advanced degree, content expert) but I am prioritizing limited work hours over the type of job I am pursuing. So I am applying for some jobs that are more junior, more admin asst in nature.

The question is, what should I say in a cover letter to be considered for more junior part-time positions? I am concerned they will think I am just desperately applying for this while I seek a more senior full-time job. And, if I get an interview, also not sure what to say. Unsure whether I should volunteer the fact that I have kids and am seeking part time to be home more, since they are not allowed to ask if I have kids, and of course people could have any number of reasons why they want part-time work.

[Anonymous]

I'll be interested to see what others think about this, especially about the specific language to use.

Personally, I would establish early in the cover letter that you are looking to make a change, but would not give reasons or details. So something like, "Currently I am a successful full-time Content Expert at a busy firm, and I am pursuing a career shift to a part-time position in [target firm's field]." Then the rest of the letter is all about your experience, how you would add value, etc., with a strong suggestion that they would be getting a lot of bang for their buck in hiring someone of your credentials.

At the interview, I would be frank about seeking fewer hours, but vague about the reasons. So, something like, "Due to family obligations, I need to limit my hours. That's why I was so excited to see your part-time position advertised -- because it would allow me to work part-time while still [insert positive thing about the content of the job]. I am a great fit for this position because [substantive discussion, leaving the hours issue behind]." I don't think there's anything wrong with them knowing the details of why you want to work part-time, but you don't want that to be the focus of the interview. You want to acknowledge that you are making a career change for personal reasons, and then move forward with selling yourself.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I did something like this, within the same field. I just addressed why my skills were a good fit, etc., and then put a little line in my cover letter about how a part time schedule would suit me well. That was all, and it worked.

[Anonymous]

OP:

I have hired a few people recently and a couple of applicants looked great on paper but in the interview talked a lot about their families and desire for work-life balance. This office has that but hearing it during the first round interview was a turn-off. Be careful of that.

My workplace LOVES overqualified people and again, we have great balance. But we want to hear about US in the interview...

I hope you find this helpful.

[Anonymous]

I have interviewed for jobs I knew were fulltime and waited til I was offered the job before disclosing I only would take part time. They offered it to me anyway. I took it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have interviewed for jobs I knew were fulltime and waited til I was offered the job before disclosing I only would take part time. They offered it to me anyway. I took it.

Interesting. I was going to suggest the exact opposite - that OP either only apply to positions that are part time or let it be known that she is only available part time early on. Many jobs don't lend themselves to being part time, and for many jobs (especially lower-level type jobs that OP mentions) they want you there 100% of the time. I am hiring right now, and anything less than full time would be a non-starter.

[Anonymous]

Ok those "hiring right now", what are you hiring for? Maybe we can make some matches.

[Anonymous]

OP here. thanks for the suggestions. I am applying to positions that state that they are part-time.

I would not try for full-time positions and then spring it on them that I will only do part-time, as one PP suggested. I would not expect that to work, especially for a lower-level job. I'm glad it worked for you, PP! Maybe, for a higher level, niche-qualifications position, it could work to pursue a full-time position but only as a part-timer, but I would state the part-time interest up front, and see if they wanted to entertain it at all or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be interested to see what others think about this, especially about the specific language to use.

Personally, I would establish early in the cover letter that you are looking to make a change, but would not give reasons or details. So something like, "Currently I am a successful full-time Content Expert at a busy firm, and I am pursuing a career shift to a part-time position in [target firm's field]." Then the rest of the letter is all about your experience, how you would add value, etc., with a strong suggestion that they would be getting a lot of bang for their buck in hiring someone of your credentials.

At the interview, I would be frank about seeking fewer hours, but vague about the reasons. So, something like, "Due to family obligations, I need to limit my hours. That's why I was so excited to see your part-time position advertised -- because it would allow me to work part-time while still [insert positive thing about the content of the job]. I am a great fit for this position because [substantive discussion, leaving the hours issue behind]." I don't think there's anything wrong with them knowing the details of why you want to work part-time, but you don't want that to be the focus of the interview. You want to acknowledge that you are making a career change for personal reasons, and then move forward with selling yourself.

Good luck!

+1 I would definitely stress that you like the part-time aspect so they won't think you're taking a lower level position and hoping to move up fast. A lot of people do that (which is understandable) but it can make it hard for places to keep good people in the part time/lower level positions.

[Anonymous]

Have you gone to websites like Momcorps and Flexforce Professionals? My impression is that they are geared toward people like you, OP.