Using part-time work to gain full-time skills

Suppose you're a recent graduate who wants to pursue a career in advertising, but you haven't found a suitable job yet. Instead, you’ve taken a position as a waiter to make ends meet. While you didn't go to University to be a restaurant server, you can still develop skills employers value while in that role, including:

• Interacting with customers
• Managing multiple priorities
• Problem-solving 
• Thinking on your feet and taking initiative

Working part-time while looking for a permanent role is hugely valuable once you are out in the ‘real world’. Singapore offers many options for part-timers, and you can make use of these positions to develop marketable career skills that enhance your CV.

Well articulated on your resume, these job skills can give you an edge when applying for an entry-level account management position in advertising. Those same skills could also translate into a sales position, or something entirely different. It’s all how you frame it and what you learn from the experience!

Part-time payoff
To maximise the payoff from a part-time job, define the job you're seeking, and then review job postings to identify the skills you'll need to land that job. Now you're ready to look for part-time jobs that would help you build skills.

For instance, if your goal is an entry-level sports marketing job, pursue a part-time position at a local gym. Although you may start with checking in members, you could offer to help coordinate the facility's member events. Doing so would let you demonstrate strong work communication skills, as well as multitasking and event-planning skills.

Other possibilities include:

Bringing Your Skills to the Job Search

Once you've developed these skills, you need to convey them effectively in your job search:

• On Your Resume: Feature your newly acquired skills in your Qualifications Summary. In addition, a bulleted work skills list helps recruiters see if you have the skills they're looking for. 
   
• In the Interview: Prepare behavioural-based stories that articulate how you developed and used those skills. Think of some challenges or experiences you’ve had in your part-time job that somehow helped you develop your skills.

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