Looking to make a few extra quid or try out a new line of work? No matter how many hours you want to work, you need a part-time job CV that stands out from the crowd. Approach this search the same way you would a full-time job hunt and you’ll be well on your way.
Resume.io’s guide presents expert advice for job seekers, along with dozens of CV examples and an intuitive CV builder. Let us help you elevate your CV to excellence to give you the opportunities you seek in part-time work. This CV guide, along with the corresponding CV example will cover the following topics:
- The market for part-time workers
- How to write a part-time job CV (tips and tricks)
- The best structure for a part-time job CV
- Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional CV layout and design hints.
The market for part-time workers
What do part-time workers do? Anything and everything. Whilst many part-time positions are retail-based, most industries and public sector employers advertise part-time jobs. Post-pandemic work includes more options for part-time jobs in which you work from home if that happens to be your preference.
Approximately 8.1 million people in the UK work part-time hours, up from the depths of the pandemic, but still below pre-pandemic numbers, according to Statistica. The average part-time worker’s wages were £615 per week, Trading Economics data revealed.
Highest paying part-time work*
| Company | Average part-time pay rate |
| Royal Mail | £11.53 |
| NHS | £11.34 |
| Aldi | £10.26 |
| Lidl | £9.92 |
| John Lewis & Partners | £9.92 |
| Amazon | £9.79 |
| Boots | £9.45 |
| Sainsbury’s | £9.31 |
| Morrisons | £9.27 |
| Tesco | £9.26 |
*Source: Breakroom
How to write a part-time job CV
Before you start writing your part-time job CV, you must understand what sections to include. Your resume should contain the following elements:
- The CV header
- The CV summary
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
Choosing the best CV format for a part-time job
The best CV format for a part-time job depends on your reasons for seeking employment and your work history. We typically recommend the reverse chronological order approach.
The reverse chronological CV format works well if you are continuing in the same field with a steady employment history. It showcases where you are now and how far you’ve come since you entered the job market.
CV summary example: professional portrait
The summary section of your part-time job CV could make all the difference, especially if you are a career changer or just starting out. It’s your opportunity to explain how your experience will add value to your desired position.
These 3-4 lines describe your work style, highlight your top career wins, and generally answer the question: ‘Why do you want to work here?’ Be specific about the value you bring.
For additional guidance, look at our other CV examples. They include a supermarket CV sample, retail CV example, teaching assistant CV sample, delivery driver CV example, and consulting CV sample.
Highly dynamic part-time worker with an aptitude for clerical and administrative work. Punctual, reliable, and committed to serving as a productive and positive team member.
Employment history sample: your career story
The employment history section of your part-time job CV should enumerate the successes you have achieved in your career. Build a story in upside-down pyramid form with your greatest and most recent accomplishments at the top. See our copyable CV example.
Administrative Assistant, The Buckley Group
Jun 2019 - Aug 2022 Cambridge
- Supported a team of 25 office members with exceptional administration support.
- Managed inquiries and requests from clients, typically totalling 200+ messages per week, with speed and precision.
- Maintained employee work calendars meeting schedules.
- Communicated company vendors and partners as required.
- Recorded minutes during meetings and distributed follow-up communications.
- Maintained and updated the office filing system as needed.
- Assisted the HR department with employee on boarding and training arrangements.
- Handled a variety of clerical and administrative tasks as needed.
Receptionist, Dunbar Associates
Apr 2014 - Apr 2019 Cambridge
- Answered the main telephone line and email address and directed calls/emails appropriately and promptly.
- Handled and followed up on 200+ inquiries per week.
- Welcomed visitors and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
- Offered clerical support to 20+ team members, handling an assortment of tasks.
- Sorted and processed incoming and outgoing mail.
- Organised and managed various services offered to staff and company partners.
- Accepted deliveries and ensured their delivery to the proper locations.
CV skills example for a part-time job
The skills section of your part-time job CV gives a snapshot of your talents. Although it seems short and snappy, you should give it special attention. Ensure you have the attributes your prospective employer seeks by analysing the advertisement first.
Optimise for the ATS
HR departments use ATS applications because they do the initial sorting of CVs. To rise to the top, use keywords from the original job posting in your application.
- Administrative Support
- Agile Project Management
- Interpersonal Communication
- Good organizational skills
- Basic Accounting
- Ability to Multitask
Resume education example
The education section of your part-time job resume tells employers what degrees you have earned. Use reverse chronological order here as well. If you have a degree higher than high school, you may eliminate your high school experience from this section.
University of Cambridge, Associate of Science in Management Studies, Cambridge
Sep 2011 - May 2013
CV layout and design: first impressions last
First impressions matter. Start with section headings that stand out so recruiters can find what they need. Use a legible font and maintain margins of at least one-half inch all around. If you do use colour, do so sparingly unless you are in a creative field and wish to show off your design sense. Lastly, use Resume.io’s expertly-designed templates to save yourself time.
Key takeaways for a part-time job resume
- A part-time job can put extra cash in your pocket or offer a path to a new career.
- The best part-time jobs will earn you wages of more than £10 per hour.
- Your part-time job CV can be adapted to any opportunity you seek.
- Use Resume.io’s resources to get your CV in shape faster.
