Dear Cindy – Part-Time/Full-Time

Do I have to make it clear on my résumé that I'm working part-time or full-time?

Sincerely,

AL

You often hear the line "don't trouble me with details." However, this is generally a detail that employers want to be troubled with, particularly because it's a way in which an applicant can seriously mislead a recruiter about the amount of experience s/he has. (And, certainly, you don't want an employer to call your references thinking you're full-time because you haven't clarified this, and hear, "Oh no, s/he only works 16 hours a week. Didn't s/he mention this?")

Also, it may prompt reasonable concerns. For example, suppose you're responding to a job post that states it's a 44-hour workweek, and you've worked 15 to 20 hours per week for the past 25+ years, and your résumé doesn't mention this, and you initially neglect to mention this when speaking with the recruiter, along with the fact that you work part-time out of choice, because you've never liked working full-time hours. (Yes, that's a real example.) Part-time work won't bar you from consideration for a full-time job. But it is in an employer's best interests (and your best interests) to be sure that you won't quit within days (or collapse on the job), because you can't handle the hours or aren't happy working so many hours.

So indicate whether you're full-time or part-time. While it's not set in stone, full-time usually means working 32 or more hours per week.

Good luck in your job search.