Does a part-time student job count as employment?

I've recently started working part-time while attending school. Does this job count as me being employed for things like applications or resumes, even if it’s just a few hours a week?

Absolutely, your part-time job is indeed considered employment and you can, and should, include it on applications and resumes. Employment is defined as any work performed or services rendered under a contract of hire. Part-time jobs, temporary work, self-employment, and even unpaid internships all fall under this umbrella.

Listing your part-time job on your resume can communicate to prospective colleges or employers traits such as time management, responsibility, and commitment. It can showcase your ability to juggle academics with work, which can be seen as a valuable skill.

Remember, the key is to highlight transferrable skills you have gained from that experience. Skills such as customer service, team collaboration, problem-solving, and even punctuality are all valuable and can be utilized in future roles. It's not just about the hours you've put in, but also about what you've learned and how you've grown during that time.

For example, if you're working in a coffee shop, instead of simply stating that your job was to serve coffee, you can point out that you communicated with diverse customers, managed cash, and kept a fast-paced work environment organized.