13 Qualities You Should Look for in a Part-Time Employee

When you’re dealing with consistent logjams at work, it’s important to hire part-time employees to cover your busy periods. Part-time employees can improve your productivity at work by increasing your bandwidth, without putting a burden on your operating expenses. However, if you’ve never hired part-time employees before, do you know what to look for? Should you find someone that has a flexible schedule or that can work regular hours, for example? Here are 13 qualities you should look for in a part-time employee.

1. Flexibility

One of the most important qualities your part-time staff should have is flexibility in their schedules. As a part-time employee, they could be working different shifts on different days on a regular basis, so being able to have open availability is a great idea. This flexibility makes it easier for employers to make schedules and fill last-minute requirements for staff. At Noble HRS, we love when employees have flexible schedules and are able to work different types of shifts.

2. Reliability

Our clients routinely tell us that having a reliable employee is worth their weight in gold. If they have a part-time employee scheduled for a shift, the employer needs to know that you will show up and that you will be on time. We’ve experienced part-time employees that have been late consistently or missed shifts, and they never last long in the workplace.

3. Honesty and integrity

No matter which industry you’re in, honesty and integrity are vital in part-time employees. Employees should be truthful about tricky situations. For example, if they notice a safety violation at work, it’s important to let the manager know so they can rectify the situation before anyone gets seriously hurt.

4. Problem solving ability

In a manufacturing or warehouse environment, things happen at a fast pace. Sometimes, issues can come up quickly and require fast-thinkers to resolve problems. If your part-time employees are good at diagnosing issues and are creative at coming up with solutions, they will go far at work. While having a good understanding of the workplaces processes is key to problem solving, employees also need to know how to think on their feet.

5. Conflict resolution

When there are a lot of different personalities at work together, conflicts are bound to happen. Some can be small and minor while others can cause major issues at work. Opt for part-time employees that understand how to diffuse tense situations and how to come to a resolution with other colleagues. It’s important to not place blame on others while getting to the bottom of the issue. Showing respect for others while standing up for oneself is key.

6. Friendly attitude

Part-time employees typically work different shifts on different days. As a result, they may not work with the same people each time. They will be meeting new faces on many of their shifts, so it’s important for them to be friendly and outgoing. Look for part-time employees that know how to start up a conversation and build up a rapport with their coworkers quickly.

7. Teamwork

In almost every workplace, teamwork plays a vital role. Part-time employees need to be able to get along with others and collaborate with their colleagues. This means helping out their co-workers if they are busy and also asking for help if they need it. Being able to share responsibilities and accomplishments with their teams leads to a happy and thriving workplace.

8. Desire to learn

Education isn’t just what happens in a classroom. You can learn anywhere, especially at work. Part-time employees who love to learn are valued greatly by employers. These employees have an innate curiosity and enjoy learning about new processes, systems, products, and services. They ask a lot of questions to expand their knowledge and like to try out new processes to gain hands-on experience.

9. Generosity

Employees that like to share their expertise and knowledge with others are a benefit to any organization. If you have a part-time employee on your team that has been with you for many years, they have built up a wealth of knowledge and experience. If they are able to provide mentorship to new part-time employees, they can help get them up to speed quicker.

10. Communication

Having strong communication is essential to any workplace. Employees need to be adept at sharing their thoughts and ideas with their colleagues and managers. Looks for part-time employees that are great with oral communication and know how to have a clear and direct conversation. In some positions, you may need a part-time employee that has strong reading and writing skills as well.

11. Leadership

Regardless of whether a part-time employee has a leadership role, having leadership skill is a big benefit. Natural leaders have confidence and the ability to motivate others. They can encourage colleagues to work more effectively as well as help resolve issues and institute new processes.

12. Initiative

Have you ever had an employee that only does tasks when they are asked? These types of employees are not valued by employers because they require constant supervision and micromanagement. If you want to improve productivity in the workplace, it’s best to work with part-time employees that have initiative and get started on tasks on their own.

13. Growth mindset

Employees that are always looking to improve for the future are an asset for any business. They understand the importance of growth for themselves and for the company as a priority. Look for employees who have an understanding of the company’s future goals and how their own career goals align with the company’s.

Having trouble determining the qualities to look for in a part-time employee? Call Noble HRS



If you need to hire part-time employees for your workplace but don’t know where to begin, Noble Human Resources Solutions has your back. We have a large candidate pool we can access to find the perfect part-time employees for your organization. All you have to do is fill out this short Employer Contact Form and tell us about your needs. Then you can sit back as we handle the recruiting and staffing for part-time employees, permanent roles, and everything in between.