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[brook]

I've been working part-time in student services for the past 5 years.  This has always been my choice due to our family situation, but now I am on the market looking for a full time position.  I have an upcoming campus interview for a full time position in a similar type department at a different institution, and am wondering how to mention the fact that I have been working part time.

When I applied to the position, the college only required a resume, cover letter and reference list.  This is in contrast to 2 other schools,  where I was required to fill out an online application where it specifically asked about current salary and hours.  For those colleges, the online application was part of the initial application process, so I knew going into the interview process that they had my full disclosure of the hours I have been working.

I know many people here are faculty, and those interviews are very different.  If anyone has experience hiring or interviewing for student services positions, I would be interested to know if you would discount a qualified applicant because they have been working 30 hours a week.  This position would be a higher level position than the one I am in right now.  I am also interested in hearing how you would bring it up during an interview process.  If they ask directly, I will be honest and tell them that I am part-time. If they don't bring it up, I am not sure how or if I should bring it up myself.  I guess I am afraid they will think I am only applying because I need a full time job.  The truth is that I am really interested in the job opening and the school itself - it feels like it would be a good fit for me.  I appreciate any thoughts!  Thank you! 

[zharkov]

Although I would not disguise the fact that you are working just 30 hours, I would not stress that it is "part time."  My logic is that many full time jobs are -- technically -- 35 or 37 hour per week jobs.  You are not far from that number of hours.  I'd figure a part-timer as someone who worked two or three days a week, or maybe 20-ish hours.   

[brook]

Thank you for your reply, Zharkov.  You brought up a good point that it will be important to specify that I work 30 hours a week when mentioning part-time status.  I do everything that a full-time person does in my position (in terms of student case loads, as well as committee work, etc), so I think I can use that to my advantage. 

I'd also like to thank the moderator who moved this thread.  After I posted this it ran through my head that The Administrative Track may have been a better place for this question. 

[dale1]

Agree with Zharkov, as per usual.

I would say that the topic may come up, and that it could be spun as an advantage -- you have to emphasize that the expectations were very similar to a FT position, in terms of outcomes/output.  So you had to manage your time, be efficient in conducting your business, and so on, and probably you did "above and beyond" work including answering e-mails at off hours, that sort of thing that most student affairs/services folks do.

So I wouldn't lead with "I'm moving to FT because of family changes" but that you're ready to take on FT position because you've been highly active for 5 years and know the territory, what the job requires, etc.

Best of luck!

[brook]

Thank you for the replies.  I had my interview and ended up bringing the subject up myself at the end of the day with the SCC.  I did spin it just the way that you had suggested - I think that it went over alright with the chair.  I just didn't want it to become a surprise later on if / when they do a background check.