Given the wide range of opportunities in the hospitality industry, you may be considering whether to take a part-time (PT) position such as a dining room host/hostess or a full-time (FT) position such as an executive chef. Depending on what suits your career goals, part-time and full-time jobs each have their plusses and minuses. How do you decide what’s best for you?

When deciding on whether PT or FT is what you want, consider things like your:
1. Expenses – How much do you need to cover your bills? Do your children need day care?
2. Family – Do you want more quality time with your children or aging parents?
3. Lifestyle preferences – Do you want free time for outdoor recreation, creative pursuits, etc.?
4. Career goals – Do you want to climb the corporate ladder?

Pros of Part-Time Employment

If you like to have free time to pursue hobbies, artistic endeavors, or more time with your family, PT work provides you with the flexibility to create a schedule that works for you. Working less hours and fewer days a week may be what you need to look after children, get a college degree, or achieve the work/life balance you seek.

When your goals are career-oriented, and you’re just getting started, working a PT job can give you the on-the-job experience you need to get your foot in the door of a company. While you’re learning new skills and demonstrating your abilities, you’ll also be able to assess the company culture to see if this is indeed an environment you want to work and grow in.

Part-time employment can be less stressful and better for your well-being. You may start each day with an exercise class, run, or bike ride before heading to work. Since your hours are limited, your on-the-job responsibilities may not be as cumbersome and intense as someone in a full-time position.  

Some examples of PT hospitality jobs include: server in a restaurant, dining room host/hostess, hotel barista, bartender, reservationist, or front desk agent.

Cons of Part-Time Employment

It is rare for a PT employee to receive a benefits package that includes health insurance and/or paid time-off. If you’re not covered on a spouse’s health insurance plan, you’ll need to cover this expense on your own and that could be costly. In some instances, depending on the number of hours you work, you may accumulate some paid sick time.

While PT work can mean less stress, it can also be more stressful because, in some cases, you may not be guaranteed a set number of hours. In other instances, some PT employees are ‘on call’ – making it difficult for you to plan your personal schedule (outside of work) in advance.

You may need to work more than one PT job. If your expenses are high, one PT job may not be enough to cover your monthly budget. If that’s the case, you may need a second PT job in order to meet your financial obligations.

Pros of Full-Time Employment

What you’ll hear about most often, when it comes to FT employment, is access to a benefits package. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 63% of U.S. employees said that compensation and benefits are an important factor, second only to respectful treatment when determining job satisfaction.

While a business is not required to give a full-time employee health insurance and/or paid time-off (i.e., vacations, personal days, sick time), it is fairly common for FT employees to receive one, both or all three.

Full-time positions usually offer better financial compensation than a part-time job. Because you’re usually working more hours, and are in a salaried position, it’s likely that you’re going to earn a greater income. In some cases, such as sales positions, you may be incentivized to earn an annual bonus in addition to your annual salary.

Some examples of FT hospitality jobs include: executive chef, restaurant manager, concierge, director of human resources, director of sales, or front desk supervisor.

Cons of Full-Time Employment

While a FT position is typically 40 hours/week, many employees (especially those wanting to advance their careers) may find themselves working 50-60 hours a week. More hours usually mean you’ve taken on more responsibilities in the workplace. This may make it challenging for you to find a satisfying work/life balance and therefore, burnout can be a potential result.

According to Gallup.com, employees who consistently experience high levels of burnout are two times more likely to strongly agree that the amount of time their job takes makes it difficult to fulfill their family responsibilities. Even scarier, burned-out employees are 23% more likely to visit the emergency room.

Related to the number of hours required in a FT position is the level of flexibility that comes with your position. If you have children, will you be able to respond if the unexpected call comes from school  letting you know that your child is ill? You may find that the dream vacation you’ve been planning may be postponed because of a company retreat or executive visit. Or, your attendance at your child’s music recital may be delayed by a last-minute emergency meeting that you’re required to attend.

Be it part- or full-time, understanding the pros and cons of each option beforehand will help you make the decision that best fits your lifestyle preferences, financial needs, and/or career goals.