Does availability matter to employers?

Ginniajo asks:

“I have gotten several interviews but no hires, and I’ve been looking for a job for the last five months. My friend went down the road to Starbucks, applied, and had a job a week later. I’m wondering if this is because he offered to work all holidays and weekends, whereas I’ve been keeping Sundays off and making room for my part-time job.”

Hi, Ginniajo! The short answer is it’s very possible that your availability is affecting your appeal to potential employers. While being qualified and having a great interview are big parts of getting hired, being able to show up when an employer needs you is critical. After all – it doesn’t matter how awesome you are, anyone can do the job better than someone who isn’t there!

Think about it from a manager’s point of view:

When managers have a choice between two equally qualified candidates, they’re likely to hire the one who makes their job easier (the one with the most availability).

You may want to consider whether one full-time job would cover your expenses as well as two part-time jobs, and, if so, consider looking for full-time employment that can replace your current part-time job. Letting an employer know that their schedule is your schedule can make a big difference in the number of job offers you receive.