Most university graduates in the United Kingdom often think that they will work without interruption throughout their career. However, the international nature of the economy and the peaks and valleys of corporate budgets mean that workers could be made redundant from time to time. As well, young professionals often decide that they want to change careers or find a new job in their industrial sector. Professionals of all experience levels who understand the advantages and disadvantages of part time jobs will be better prepared for future job searches.

There are a number of advantages to part time jobs that cannot be found in most full time positions. For retired workers, part time jobs allow them to supplement their savings and pensions with additional incomes. Young students at the university level can work part time to earn rent money while attending all of their classes. Professionals who have young children or relatives to take care of during the day can take on a night or weekend job to pay some of the bills. Recent graduates can use part time jobs to earn valuable experience whilst paying their bills. Another benefit, of the part time job experience for most professionals, is that it allows time for interviews and a full time job search.

While part time jobs are beneficial to a number of people, there are disadvantages that make full time work more desirable to many workers. The lack of stability in a part time job is disconcerting to many professionals, as part time and temporary workers are often the first people made available for redundancy. Part time workers do not enjoy the same personal benefits as their full time colleagues, with the most noticeable difference in pensions and health care. Finally, part time jobs typically do not offer a direct line to promotions or advancement opportunities.

After weighing the pros and cons of the part time job market, a professional needs to decide the best resource to use to find their ideal position. Recruitment companies are a great resource for part time jobs, as these companies build special relationships with hiring businesses in their community. Local newspapers are also ideal tools for a part time job search, as they offer positions with smaller companies or individual proprietors that do not work with recruiters. Professionals should also speak to friends and family about part time positions with their employer.

Finally, many part time positions are available via employment agencies, who have contracts with corporate clients for their project resourcing. The corporate companies often prefer to use agencies who have the part time personnel on their books for easier administration.