Are Part-time Works Counted as Experience?

Embracing Every Step: The Hidden Value of Part-time and Diverse Experiences in Shaping Your Career Path

Today, I received a call from a headhunter looking for a CRM marketer with four years of experience. Despite having only a little over a year's worth of experience across three major companies, I politely mentioned that my experience might fall short.

The recruiter then shared something eye-opening, "Haven't you ever worked in an office role through startups or part-time jobs? If you've been involved in projects, some companies might recognize those experiences as valid for your career."

That moment was a revelation for me. It made me realize how much I had underestimated my own career progress. Reflecting back, I recalled not just my part-time role at a real estate agency, where I worked full-time hours, but also my brief stints at two startups, leading a business for about a year, and several companies I consulted for through actual business case studies at school.

Adding it all up, I had around four years of substantial experience. It seems many people, considering themselves "students" or their work "just part-time," tend to overlook these meaningful periods of learning and the transferable values they imbue.

Whether it was learning Excel functions in a temporary contract role or enhancing sales skills in a service job, these moments contribute significantly to our professional growth. Perhaps it's time to reflect on these seemingly small yet impactful experiences in your own career journey.