Posted on by Helen Boyd

Interview Question

I am sick of being asked the interview question, “So why are you looking for part-time work? Why not full-time?” and answering, “I’m a writer. I work part-time so I have time to write” and having the interviewer look at me like a dog that’s been shown a card trick.

5 Replies to “Interview Question”

  2. Hi Helen —

    Take heart…part-time work does exist! With all the educational institutions in NYC, there must be some that need part-time instructors (say, for one or two classes). Are you looking at teaching anything other than gender studies? Also, have you thought about teaching English as a Second Language? There’s a crying need for ESL teachers, and if you get a TESOL certificate, you can teach as much or as little as you want, anywhere in the world. Adult education or night classes are another possibility. None of these gigs pays a lot, but if you cobble a couple of part-time teaching jobs together, you should be able to get by — and you’ll have the time you need to write. Just my four cents!

  4. Answer:

    “I like to focus my core competencies so that I can assist the company maximize its returns. I find part time work allows me to do that more so than full time work.”

  5. Projected next question by interviewer:

    How do you do that?

    Answer:

    “I have found that I can contribute just as much part time by concentrating my efforts in shorter periods of time. I like to “hit the floor running”, focus and get the job done in the shortest amount of time possible.”

    Catrina

    P.S. Above all, don’t say you are an author doing other things. It sounds like you are asking for work that you do not think is a priority…. i.e. that your real job is writing. They don’t give a dxxn about that. You will kill yourself. (They won’t say it. But the interviewer will be thinking, “So get out of here! We want somebody who thinks “this job” is important…. not something else.”

    Keep the focus on how you can contribute to “their” goals.

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