Job seekers today are increasingly seeking greater flexibility in their work arrangements, leading to a surge in part-time employment opportunities in nontraditional roles such as HR, marketing, and media. This shift in the job market is driven by workers looking to customize their work schedules to better align with their lifestyles. According to recent research from Indeed, the share of part-time job openings has been on the rise since 2022, while full-time openings have remained relatively stagnant across various industries.
In the field of marketing, the percentage of postings for part-time positions has increased by 10 points over the past two years, while in media, there has been a nearly 9-point rise in part-time job opportunities. This trend is enabling employers to attract highly skilled workers who may not be able to commit to traditional full-time roles, while also allowing companies to manage labor costs effectively by employing experienced staff on a part-time basis.
Daniel Culbertson, a senior economist at Indeed, believes that the shift towards part-time work is not just a temporary response to the pandemic but rather a more enduring trend. Employers are recognizing the importance of flexibility in work arrangements to meet the evolving needs of their workforce.
One company that has embraced part-time employment is Little Leaf Agency, a three-year-old agency specializing in sexual wellness communications. Founder and CEO Kathryn Byberg has found success in employing part-time staff, including new mothers, working parents, and Gen Z employees with side hustles. These part-time arrangements allow the agency to access top talent while maintaining cost efficiency and flexibility in scheduling.
Similarly, Indicate Media, a technology B2B PR agency, has incorporated part-time roles into its workforce post-pandemic. Founder and president Todd Barrish highlights the benefits of hiring specialists on a part-time basis to work on specific campaigns and projects. This approach allows the agency to leverage expertise efficiently while providing staff with focused tasks and clear objectives.
The rise of freelancing opportunities post-pandemic has also contributed to the increase in part-time work, with freelancing as a side hustle becoming a common practice for many workers. Data from Revelio Labs shows a 40% increase in freelancing since 2019, with millennials being the largest group of workers engaging in freelance work to supplement their primary income. The challenges of stagnant wages, widening inequality, inflation, and student debt have pushed many millennials to seek additional sources of income through freelance work.
Overall, the shift towards part-time employment in nontraditional roles reflects a broader trend towards greater flexibility and customization in the modern workforce. Employers and employees alike are recognizing the benefits of part-time arrangements in meeting the diverse needs of today’s workforce while maintaining productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
