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Measure the pros and cons first......

Sep 04 '01 Write an essay on this topic.

The Bottom Line Some cases a part time job is more cost than the pay brings in. Think carefully of the pros and cons before you get the job.

There are a lot of things that should be factored in on the
decision to take a part time job.

In these days of financial upset it isn't uncommon to find
people taking a second or in some cases even a third job
to keep their head above water and maybe even get a bit
ahead.

Each person must consider their situation and the various
factors before doing this however.

Single school age folks
1. Can I maintain my grades if I take a job?
2. Can I work a job in with all of my weekend and after
school activities (or vice versa)?
3. Can I find a job that will do more than pay for gas and
upkeep on my car and still allow me time to do the things
that I enjoy?

Married folks (without children)
1. Will I be able to work hours that will allow us to
have "together time" still?
2. Will I be able to find a job that will pay enough to
make the trip worth my time away from home?
3. Will I be able to have a flexible enough schedule for
dealing with the unexpected family visits?

Married or single with kids
1. Are the kids old enough to stay by themselves?
2. IF the answer to #1 is no then will the job pay enough
to pay child care and have enough left over to make the
time away worth my time?
(Child care is NOT cheap especially if you have multiple
children)
3. If the answer to #2 is no then can I find a job that
will be flexable enough to allow for the other parent
(if that is a factor) to come home from his/her job to
take care of the kids?
4. IF the answer to #3 is yes then will there be any time
left in the week or day where we can all be together and
awake as a family?

All categories above
1. Can I find a part time job that I'll like to do?
2. If not can I find one that I won't HATE to do but pays
well?
3. Will I have to buy new or extra clothes for the new job?
(I applied for a great P.T. job a few months ago and got
as far as the interview before I found out that I would be
required to wear slacks and button up shirts with ties
each day. The $10.00 an hour would have been nice but my
first two checks would have gone toward new clothes so I
decided to not accept the position)
4. If I have a social life of any sort what impact will it
have on my job and vice versa?

Some times it's actually a better financial decision to
take a lower paying job or no job at all when you factor
in things like the cost of getting to and from work and
child care if applicable.

Now that I mentioned the questions that deal with the
cons I'll address some of the pros of a part time job.
1. You'll gain work experience (even if it's at a fast
food restaurant it's still experience and shows that you
are willing to work.)
2. You'll get a pay check each week, two weeks, or month.
3. You'll meet new people at work.
4. It'll get you out of the house for a while.
5. If it's a Summer job then it'll give you pocket money
and keep your folks out of your hair and you out of theirs.
6. It'll show others that you are a responsible person who
wants to take care of your own obligations.

Take all of these things into thought and weigh them
carefully before making a decision or starting to fill out
the applications.

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