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Third of part-time workers struggle to find full-time work

November 12, 2014

Part-time workers still struggle to find full-time jobs even as full-time, permanent employment nears pre-recession levels, according to a CareerBuilder study released today. The survey found 32 percent of part-time workers want to work full-time but haven’t been able to land a full-time job.

Of those seeking full-time work, 31 percent said they are the sole breadwinner in their household, and 39 percent said they struggle to make ends meet financially. One in four part-time workers who want full-time jobs said they currently work two or more jobs.

“Though we’re seeing an uptick in full-time, permanent hiring, many workers are still having difficulty finding positions in their field of expertise,” said Rosemary Haefner, VP of human resources at CareerBuilder. “For some, a part-time job is just a means to a paycheck; for others, it’s a preferred work arrangement or stepping stone.”

When asked why they believe they have struggled to find a full-time job, part-time workers looking for full-time work gave the following responses:

  • There aren’t as many jobs available in my field as there were pre-recession: 54 percent
  • I don’t have the skills necessary for in-demand jobs: 51 percent
  • I haven’t looked for full-time jobs on a regular basis: 31 percent
  • I don’t have the education needed: 29 percent

Haefner suggests those looking to make the transition to full-time employment approach a part-time job as an opportunity to learn a new skill set, make new professional connections or explore a new career path. They should also seek out companies they are interested in working for and join their talent networks so they will be first to hear about new job openings with those companies.

Reasons workers said they took on a part-time job include: 

  • I needed a paycheck: 47 percent
  • I want to work part time: 43 percent
  • I like the flexibility of a part-time job: 36 percent
  • I’m working part time while attending school: 22 percent
  • I’m working part time while I take care of family: 16 percent
  • I want to gain experience in this particular field: 5 percent

Thirty-seven percent of part-time workers said they receive benefits from their employers, and 9 percent receive the same benefits as full-time workers.

The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 301 US part-time workers. The survey was conducted between Aug. 11 and Sept. 5, 2014.