Top Part-Time Job Options During the Pandemic

Every fall, hundreds of thousands of Americans apply for part-time and temporary work. Some do it to boost their income, others to pay down debt, or enjoy an extra-festive holiday season. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, that push has come much earlier. Whether to supplement cut hours, keep productive, or simply make ends meet, people are searching for part-time job opportunities at an unprecedented rate.

With novel coronavirus entering its second wave and fierce competition, the employment environment may seem an opportunity desert—and in some ways, it is. But many companies have begun adapting to the environment while others have managed to thrive it in. This means there are part-time job options available if you know where to look.

Going remote part-time

The economic downturn and unique workplace requirements of the COVID era have led many companies to slash their full-time workforce. Jobs are slowly returning, but rather than repopulate expensive office space, many companies are experimenting with a remote, part-time workforce.

For example, with the shuttering of school doors nationwide, parents have found themselves full-time caregivers and educators. Anxious and lacking formal training, they have turned to e-learning platforms to expand their children’s educational options. In turn, these platforms are hiring part-time workers to meet demand. Similarly, historic unemployment has led many people to seek online tutors and trainers to help them develop new, marketable skills.

Looking beyond education, many occupations previously caged to offices and cubicles are now migrating to the online wilds. Demand has increased for remote accountants, assistants, therapists, data entry, graphic designers, social media managers, and content creators. And with all this recruiting, the recruiting field has also seen a bump in at-home workers.

When the pandemic subsides and the economy rallies, some of these jobs may shift to full-time gigs. If not, they can still help an off-track professional develop new skills and lessen resume gaps.

Essential work even more essential

Essential work remains essential, and the pandemic has increased demand for these services. Grocery stores, for example, have seen an influx of traffic as people began eating out less and cooking more dinners. Many continue to hire, especially for positions in delivery and curbside pick-up.

The same holds for other consumer staple industries. Retail stores need clerks and personal shoppers. Pharmacies need more clerks and technicians. Package delivery companies need drivers. Restaurants need cooks and delivery people. And home improvement stores are onboarding new employees as people finally tackle those languishing home projects—one advantage of spending more time at home.

Internet retailers in particular have witnessed a hiring boom as more people shop online. Already this year, they have been hiring for drivers, warehouse personnel, and remote customer service representatives. Though it is difficult to predict anything in 2020, it seems likely that these seasonal plays will need additional staff to meet the rush—albeit with positions and work conditions different from previous years.

Like any other job search

When looking for part-time work, even remote work, treat it like any other job search. Visit trusted job boards like Washington Post Jobs. Be vigilant for job-search scams. Write professional cover letters, tailor your resume, and practice common interview questions. And consider your needs, your skills, what tasks you are comfortable with, and your career trajectory.

None of this is to say that it will be easy to land a part-time job. As previously mentioned, unemployment is high, and the competition fierce. The unknowable nature of the novel coronavirus means that it is impossible to predict economic shifts, what future phases will bring, or when we will enter those phases. But do not grow despondent. Part-time job options exist even in the pandemic, and if you set yourself to the task, you can find one to help you weather this difficult time.