Whether you’re saving for something special or would like a bit extra spending money, having a part-time job is the perfect opportunity to balance work-life or work alongside your studies.
The flexible working industry has grown in recent years, with the number of remote workers increasing. The advent of technology has also created greater opportunities to work from home, as well as source talent for jobs online. From babysitting to freelance writing, the part-time job market is booming. If you’re looking for a part-time job, you’re in the right place. There are plenty of good ways to make money from your passion or skills on a part-time basis. In this guide, we look at the top 10 the best part-time jobs and ways to earn money.
1. Babysitting Children
Babysitting is one of the best part-time jobs in the freelance market. It can often fit in around other jobs since it’s out of normal work hours. As such, it can be a very profitable weekend job if you don’t mind giving up the occasional Saturday evening. Also, since parents are willing to pay a premium to have their children well looked after, you can expect other perks as well. This might include financial bonuses, a free taxi, and sometimes even snacks or a meal. It’s also a highly rewarding job, involving skills such as the responsibility of caring for another person, patience and organisation.
Looking after children is a great student job that fits well around studying. Babysitting jobs are always in demand, so you’ll have the luxury of being able to work for multiple families and fit it around your personal schedule.
Qualifications required: Some babysitters can get away with just having general experience, others will require references and qualifications. Yoopies, the leading online childcare platform, recommends providing childcare qualifications, a DBS certificate, and experience in First Aid.
To help you find your first babysitting job, have a look at our comprehensive guide on how to become a babysitter.
Discover a wide range of babysitting vacancies in your area through Jooble, our trusted partner.
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2. Office Assistant
If you are at ease with a computer and enjoy office work, then an office job can be one of the best part-time jobs. If you are well organised and can use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, this will be an advantage for you. As well as the financial benefits, there’s also a number of transferable skills you’ll take with you to your next job and career, such as communication skills, team-work, and development of software competences. Be prepared, however, that this can be quite admin-heavy, and could include tasks such as photocopying, transcribing, reception work, and meeting note-taking.
Qualifications required: Since this is a skills-based role, a GCSE English may be required. Experience in researching, note-taking, filing, and reception work may also be advantageous.
3. Tutoring
If you have any academic qualifications or special expertise, teaching can be one of the best part-time jobs to supplement your income. There are many opportunities to fit tutoring in around your lifestyle. It can also be one of the highest paying jobs per hour; private tutors tend to earn around £25-35 an hour, and as tutoring children tends to be outside of school hours, the work is mostly evening based. If you have skills in maths, French or English, this will be especially useful for children in secondary school education. If your skills fit more in sport, then there’s plenty of seasonal and summer jobs for students in sports clubs and summer camps, in the UK and abroad. A job as an activity instructor can earn around £8-10 an hour.
Qualifications required: As a private tutor, it is often a prerequisite to hold a university degree in the subject if not then A-Level or equivalent. Usually, experience as a tutor for a minimum of two years is expected, however, this is not mandatory. DBS checks are usually required when working with children under the age of 16.
To help you find your first tutoring job, have a look at our handy guide on how to become a tutor
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4. Pet Sitting
There are some things you can’t put a value on, such as family and pets. As such, pet owners are willing to pay a premium to ensure their much-loved pets are well looked after when they are not around. Just like babysitting children, pets also need company and care, especially if their owners are on holiday.
Smaller animals, such as cats, rabbits, and hamsters cannot be left for very long on their own for periods of time. With catteries and animal daycare centres in high demand, and with many pets preferring the comfort of their own home, pet sitting jobs can pay handsomely.
Being local will certainly help as many pet-owners need the flexibility of someone nearby.
Qualifications required: Experience with animals is necessary, particularly specialist animals. Animal first aid may be required by some clients.
Find a Pet Sitting job with Yoopies
5. Beauty Consultant
For those that love make-up and cosmetics, a part-time job as a beauty consultant is one of the better-paying roles in the market. Typically, you can expect to earn between £8 and £9 an hour.*
The majority of beauty consultants work in large department stores, for specific brands. The role involves demonstrating products and selling them to customers. You will need good people skills, a creative flair, and a touch of commercial acumen, especially if this is a commission-based position. Also, be prepared that you may be on your feet all day, and will often need to work a combination of weekends and weekdays.
Qualifications required: This is dependent on the role, and some brands will offer bespoke training to new starters. Beauty qualifications are a bonus and may mean you can earn more.
*Survey by Glassdoor, October 2016
6. Cleaning
If you hate tidying at home, perhaps this isn’t the ideal role for you. But, if you enjoy making things spick and span, a part-time job as a housekeeper or cleaner could be perfect for you! Often earning between £8-£10 an hour, depending on location and experience, cleaning homes and office spaces are becoming increasingly popular. Employers will prefer previous experience, however, that’s not to say it’s impossible to find a job without experience. Be prepared for hard physical work, tidying someone else’s space isn’t light work and most Employers will expect a premium service for their pay.
Flexible hours are a plus and with short shifts, you’ll soon be able to fit in multiple cleaning jobs around your personal schedule. Housekeeping is a varied role with different tasks available such as ironing, laundry, DIY, gardening, or light cooking.
Make sure to discuss with your Employer whether you will supply cleaning materials and at what cost.
6. Freelance Work
Freelance jobs are becoming increasingly popular as a form of flexible part-time work. With sites such as Fiverr and Upwork, finding a freelance role in a few clicks is easier than ever. There is a role for almost any skill, from writing, blogging, translation, photography, copywriting to technical work such as SEO, Google analytics, or data reporting.
Freelance work is particularly advantageous as it is usually remote, meaning you can work during your free time from the comfort of your own home. Depending on the task, you could earn more than the minimum wage fast. Whilst it may be a tad challenging to get your first job, one of the perks of freelance work is the more jobs you do, the more likely you are to land more jobs.
Be prepared to compete with others for jobs on freelance job websites. You’ll need to ensure your profile sells your expertise and skills well.
7. Carer or Companion
If you enjoy looking after people, becoming a carer, care assistant or companion could be the right job role for you! With an aging population, demand for elderly assistance, care, and companionship are on the rise.
Care workers provide support for someone who is unable to look after themselves, usually an elderly person but this can also include people with physical and mental disabilities. The role involves physical tasks such as cooking, washing, medicine administration, and helping elderly people go to the bathroom. If you enjoy striking up a conversation and listening, a companionship role is a perfect opportunity to get to know someone from a different generation and help battle loneliness. Whether its a regular phone call, a cup of tea or a chat, being a companion is a great way to earn a little extra money and give back to your community.
When looking after vulnerable people a DBS check is requested, and qualifications in care will help you stand out from the crowd.
8. Creative Work
If you’re creative and have a knack for creating digital art, sketching, or crafts, consider selling your products on sites such as Etsy. If you have the time, a business on the side can quickly become profitable, and the best bit, you’ll be doing work you genuinely enjoy.
From personalised tote bags, illustrations to birthday cards and handmade jewelry- getting creative can be more than just a hobby.
8. Temp Work
If you have a busy schedule, or a schedule that changes regularly, temp work is a great way to fit some extra hours of work around everyday life. The best part, no commitment. This is particularly useful for students who have deadlines and exams, or are only available during term time. Online job agencies such as Indeed, Monster, and Reed are good places to start.
Temp work can include roles such as seasonal retail work, last-minute waiters/waitresses, bar work, event work, and even DIY. Pay varies from minimum wage upwards.
9. Nannying
Whilst nannies traditionally work full-time or on a live-in basis, some families are looking for a nanny on a part-time basis. Earning often between £10-£15 an hour, a part-time nanny is a great job with many benefits. A passion for childcare and skills such as organisation and patience is required. Tasks include picking children up from school, home-work help, and light cooking, as well as taking children to activities and bath time. If you enjoy playing with children and teaching them new skills, a part-time nanny job is one of the most secure roles, with contracts usually running the entire school year.
What’s more? You may be able to earn some extra money with extra babysitting hours or weekend work.
10. Local Shop and Retail
Working at your local grocery store or supermarket is a popular part-time job, particularly for students. Offering perks such as supermarket discounts and extra pay per hour for unsociable hours, it is a popular and flexible choice. Many offer ‘overtime’ outside your contracted if you wanted to earn extra money. Most supermarkets, such as Tesco, Asda etc will advertise online. For smaller local supermarkets, your best bet is to go directly with your CV and ask the manager or visit their website.
Tasks vary from cleaning, stock replenishment, stock count and checkout.