Part time jobs are a great way for people to earn extra money, gain experience, or balance work with study or other commitments. In a place like Derby, there are many businesses, shops, and service industries that need part time staff. For students, parents, retirees, or anyone wanting flexible work, part time jobs offer useful opportunities.
Derby has both large employers and smaller local businesses. For example, retail shops in city centre, cafés, hotels, warehouses, delivery services, care homes—all need part time workers. Because the cost of living is rising, many people look to part time roles to supplement income.
Types of Part Time Jobs You Can Find in Derby
There is a big variety of part time work in Derby. Some of the common roles include:
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Retail roles – Working in shops, supermarkets, collecting goods, serving customers, till work.
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Hospitality – Café, restaurant, hotel work: waiting tables, barista work, kitchen assistant, cleaning.
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Delivery & driving roles – Driving vans, delivering parcels, courier work. These often have flexible shifts.
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Warehouse & logistics – Picking, packing, sorting goods, night shifts in warehouses.
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Healthcare and care homes – Helpers, carers, domestic assistants. Some roles require qualifications, others may need basic training.
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Remote or flexible roles – Customer service, admin, online tutoring. Some jobs allow remote work or hybrid.
Different sectors have different demands. For example, weekend or evening shifts are common in hospitality and retail. Drivers may need specific licences. Remote roles may need good computer skills.
Typical Pay Rates and Work Hours
Part time jobs in Derby offer different pay depending on role, hours, and employer. Some things to expect:
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Entry-level retail or hospitality roles might pay close to minimum wage or slightly above.
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More skilled roles, such as care assistant or driver, often pay higher per hour.
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Remote or flexible admin roles may vary depending on responsibility.
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Some roles pay enhancements (evening, weekend shifts).
In terms of hours:
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Many part time roles ask for 10-25 hours per week.
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Some roles are shift-based: evening, weekend, early morning.
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Some part time roles are temporary or fixed term; others are ongoing or permanent.
Where and How to Find Part Time Work in Derby
To find good part time jobs in Derby, try multiple approaches:
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Check online job boards and websites regularly (they update often).
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Local recruitment agencies are useful, especially for warehouse, retail and driving jobs.
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Visit shops, cafés or businesses in person—sometimes they post adverts in windows or prefer local hires.
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Use social media and community groups (local Facebook groups, community centres).
Also, make sure your CV is ready and shows any previous experience or skills. Even if a job seems simple, reliability, friendly attitude, and punctuality are very important.
Key Skills and Qualities Employers Look For
Even for part time work, employers expect certain skills and qualities. Some of them are:
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Good communication and customer service skills (for retail/hospitality).
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Flexibility with hours—willingness to work evenings, weekends, or shift work.
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Punctuality and reliability—showing up on time, consistent attendance.
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Basic numeracy and literacy—being able to cash up or write simple reports.
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For driving roles, a valid driving licence and a good driving record.
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For remote roles, basic computer skills, ability to work independently.
Showing these qualities can make a big difference when applying.
Benefits and Challenges of Part Time Work
There are many benefits:
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Flexibility to balance with studies, family or other part time work.
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Less stress than full-time roles sometimes.
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Gains in experience, references, and skills — useful for future work.
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Opportunity to try different sectors.
But there are challenges too:
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Sometimes low hours make income unpredictable.
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Shift work or irregular hours may disrupt routines.
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Fewer benefits (some part time jobs don’t offer full holiday pay or sick pay).
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Commuting costs or getting to job sites can eat into earnings.
Understanding both sides is important before committing.
Practical Tips for Applying Successfully
If you want to secure a part time job in Derby, here are some tips that help:
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Tailor your CV for the job. Even for simple roles, mention any relevant experience (customer service, teamwork).
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Be honest about availability. If you cannot work weekends or evenings, say so. Employers value reliability.
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Prepare for the interview. Simple questions about how you handle customers, availability, work ethic. Be polite and friendly.
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Follow up after applying. Visit the store or send message to show interest.
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Keep applying and stay persistent. Part time roles may fill fast, so checking frequently helps.
Real Examples: People Working Part Time in Derby
Here are some real examples of part time roles in Derby:
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Nursery Practitioner / Nursery Nurse roles where people work mornings or afternoons and may have permanent or flexible hours. (Some roles pay around £12-13 per hour.)
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Retail Assistants in shops like supermarkets or clothing stores working 10 to 20 hours per week, often during busy times like weekends.
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Warehouse Operatives doing picking and packing, sometimes with evening or weekend shifts.
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Delivery drivers, applying for part time shifts or “zero-hours” work, sometimes courier or parcel delivery.
From talking to people, many part time workers say they value being able to earn while also having free time for study or family.
How Part Time Jobs Might Change in Future
Part time work is evolving. Some trends to watch:
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More remote or hybrid roles, especially for admin, tutoring, customer service.
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More flexible scheduling: for example, apps that let you pick shifts rather than fixed hours.
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Increase in roles that combine digital skills (social media, basic tech) even for part time work.
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More employers may offer better part time benefits (pro rata pay, holiday, sick leave).
Adapting to these trends may give job seekers an edge.
Conclusion
Part time jobs in Derby provide valuable opportunities for many people — students, parents, or those wanting extra income. They offer flexibility, experience, and a chance to build skills.
If you’re looking for part time work, understanding what roles are available, what employers want, and how to apply well will help you succeed. While there are challenges like unpredictable hours, the benefits often outweigh them — especially if the job fits your lifestyle.
FAQs
Q1: What pay can I expect for part time jobs in Derby?
It depends on the role. Entry level retail or hospitality roles tend to pay around minimum wage or slightly more. More skilled roles like drivers or care assistants often pay higher.
Q2: How many hours do part time jobs usually require?
Typically between 10-25 hours a week, though some roles may have fewer or more depending on business needs.
Q3: Do part time jobs offer benefits like holiday pay or pension?
Some do; full benefits are more common in more formal or regular part time roles. For very casual or temporary work, benefits may be limited.
Q4: Can part time jobs in Derby be remote or at home?
Yes. There are remote or flexible work options in admin, tutoring, or customer support. These are growing, especially with technology.
Q5: What first steps should I take to get a part time job?
Update your CV, know your availability clearly, apply regularly via job boards and local stores, and present reliably in interviews.
