I found a part time job by avoiding retail.

[MrsBrady]

I am 36, and have gone back to college to finish my music degree.

But I needed a part time job to help us out so it won't be so squeaky at the end of the month.
(try to save SOME for tuition and need $$ for my car payment too)

Part time jobs are not too hard to come by, but there are less now than there seemed to be before.
My background is in all kind of professional admin and recruiting...but I'm a musician and have done every kind of job to get by.
I didn't think it would be too hard for me to find work...the problem was....

Could I find a job that paid a little better than crap?
and
Could I find something with off hours to accommodate a strange music school schedule?

The retail jobs all paid like 8 per hour. No office job would work with my schedule. I didn't want to wait tables or work in a bar (didn't' want to be around smoke or drunks).
But I also knew I couldn't be too picky with the way things are right now.

I applied at a couple of book stores that said they were hiring for the holidays. Got no calls back from my applications or my follow ups.
Then I realized. They are probably just now realizing that the won't NEED any holiday help.

So I had applied to one of the three valet companies at DFW airport. I figured that people that use valet won't be hurting for cash (wealthy and people that travel for business) as much as most of us.
And I was right. Their business has fallen off some, but they are still doing ok. AND turnover is high for a valet company. Probably can "move up" fast if I stick around.
So the hiring manager hired me on the spot when he realized I was looking for something I could keep for a while and maybe even after I finish with school.

My first week was last week. $10 per hour, plus everyone splits credit card tips. If I get any cash tips they are mine to keep.
It's easy work. I worked two nights in training. Friday night I shuttled cars back and forth and didn't even have to deal with customers.
Someone suggested I pick up a sunday morning shift...lots of departures and no one wants to work on Sundays. I might do that after I get the hang of things.

There ARE some over 30+ people there. Some working a 2nd job. Some just wanting a low stress way to make a living with the hours they want.

So....? Anyone else looking for part time work? What did you find?

[crispini]

1. Good idea! Might have to check that out. nt

[Fran Kubelik]

2. ooooh. That's a great idea.

Thanks! :patriot:

[Delphinus]

3. Yep,

work a 30 hour week job now and am looking for something to help pay off bills.

We don't have an airport like that ... but your story gives me hope.

[midnight]

4. What a interesting take on part time jobs that pay above crap......

[suninvited]

5. I have one full time job

and two part time jobs. Office admin for an oil well service company full time, and then on the weekends I clean offices (my best paying job, about $35 an hour) and I cook at a local grill (my favorite job, but my lowest paying at $9 an hour)

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Talk about yer priorities...

cooking pays less than cleaning.

:crazy:

[LanternWaste]

6. I put in an application for a part-time job...

I put in an application for a part-time job at the liquor store across the street from my apartment just last night.

20 hours a week-- evenings and all day Saturday. Perfect way to supplement my income and finally start putting some money into my savings.

Just stocking, shelving and unloading-- no direct contact with people, which is really great-- as I get too much of that during my full-time job, and just want to to some mindless, automaton work.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

[MrsBrady]

7. ok! *crossing fingers*

liquor should be recession proof!

[CoffeeCat]

13. ...and actually, I read that...

the demand for alcohol, tobacco and other indulgences--actually goes
up during a bad economy!

People self soothe with this stuff--and need an escape.

[DemoTex]

8. I used to be a regular at Park-Ride-and-Fly at DFW. I always used their valet service.

The employee parking lot was way too dangerous. Since I was usually gone for days at a time, I wanted my car in a secure location. Besides, PR&F gave airline employees a good discount.

When I returned from my trip and got on the PR&F bus the airport terminal, I knew that my car would be waiting by the door (cool or warm, depending on season) at the PR&F facility. I got to know most of the valet parking people, and they all knew me (and knew that I tipped well!).

Good luck in your part-time job. I bet you get to drive some cool cars, too!

[CrispyQ]

9. I've never understood why just because one works part time

means that your skills are now worth a fraction of what you could command if you worked full time. :wtf: Because you are working fewer hours, your skills are not worth as much? I honestly believe it lies in a collective mind set that wants to penalize you for not working the standard 40 hours a week.

Years ago I worked at a grocery store that was open from 6am to midnight. They depended on part time labor. They would have had a very difficult time scheduling if they had only full time employees. Fortunately, it was also union, so they could not pull that lesser pay crap.

Our society is genuinely fucked up.

For those thinking of starting their own business, it's not a bad idea to find a way to serve rich people. But do it now before everyone is out of work & thinks of the same thing!

I'm glad you were able to find decent work that fits into your schedule. The work doesn't sound to bad, either! :thumbsup:

[CoffeeCat]

10. Everyone...please check with your area schools!

I'm a stay-at-home mom who is grappling with my career situation (or lack thereof!).

Eight years ago, I quit a very demanding job in high-tech public relations, to stay
at home with our babies.

Now that they're in school--I'm trying to figure out if I should leave my PR career
in the past, or just take a part-time job doing something.

A friend of mine suggested working for our area schools. In our area, a teacher's
associate pays $11 an hour. These jobs are part time and you don't need a degree or
teaching experience.

Also, there are jobs working in the school lunchrooms. In our area, these jobs pay
$15 an hour. Some of the jobs were 30 hours per week; others were 15 hours per week,
working only the lunch hours (10:30-1:30).

I was astounded that working as a lunch lady paid $15 an hour. I am actually contemplating
this! It's just a bit surreal--to go from pitching stories to the "New York Times" and
writing press releases--to serving meat loaf to kids! To tell you the truth, working
as a lunch lady would probably be harder work!

Anyway--I urge everyone to get on your local school Web sites and look for a link to jobs.

I imagine that there is great job security with these jobs. Schools aren't going to disappear
when the economy worsens.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. I have two P/T jobs, but...

they end up with maybe 50 hours a month all told. One pays 13 bucks, the other 9.50. I have a few other gigs bringing in some more money, and SS starts next year, so I'm not hopelessly broke. Just broke.

The good thing is that they are both gummint jobs, so I get reimbursed at 58.5 cents per mile. Most months I make twice as much on the mileage as the pay.

[gorbal]

14. Not exactly low stress

I'm a CNA and when I look in the job ads where I live, about half the jobs on offer are CNA jobs, so I'm better off staying certified.

I used to work as a personal care attendant, and I really preferred that except that you could not get health insurance. It's just really nice working for one person only. You get to know them and you don't have to deal with all the backbiting and dishonesty you get when you work with a lot of people.

What can be really nice is working as a live-in, as you don't have to pay rent, you just have to be prepared for a certain degree of responsibility. Even if your boss is really in charge, everyone treats you like you are.

[deepthought42]

15. I work p/t at a bookstore...

at least I hope my job is still there at the end of the semester when I go home....