According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 292,000 new jobs created in December 2015. This is a healthy number, but it is made up in large part by part-time jobs. Is that a bad thing? For some people, the availability of part-time instead of full-time jobs can be frustrating. But to others, part-time jobs are exactly how they want to spend their work time, and the online job boards need to start paying closer attention to job hunters who prefer part-time work.

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Part-Time Jobs Are Taking Over

According to Indeed.com, 13 percent of the jobs posted on the website are part-time jobs, and that number continues to rise. When Indeed.com polled its current job hunters about their part-time positions, a staggering 89 percent indicated that they will be keeping their part-time jobs as the New Year starts.

Why Are So Many People Working Part-Time?

While the economy is creating more jobs on a monthly basis, incomes are flat right now. For many people, working a part-time job is how they make ends meet or have money to go on vacations. The Indeed.com poll indicates that half of all surveyed workers keep their second jobs to keep up with the rising costs of living. When base wages in a full-time job cannot keep up, workers are forced to take on part-time jobs to make ends meet.

Some Generation X Workers And Baby Boomers Like This Approach

According to USA Today, the members of Generation X and the Baby Boomer generation like part-time jobs because it allows them to set their own schedules. Many members of Generation X like the freedom a part-time job offers as they prepare to start their own businesses, and Baby Boomers like the additional income offered by part-time jobs as they enter retirement.

The downside to the part-time job trend is that workers are not getting benefits to go along with their wages. Some workers are holding down two and three part-time jobs to pay the bills, and they are forced to find their own health insurance and other benefits. While this saves companies money, it can become inconvenient for workers.

What Online Job Boards Can Do To Help

Online job boards have never been known for focusing on part-time employment, but that is starting to change. Many job boards are offering separate sections where employers can list part-time jobs, which makes it easier for workers to find the jobs they want. Online job boards also need to start offering the same kind of detailed search options for part-time jobs that they offer for full-time jobs, to help bring workers and companies together.

Until wages increase, part-time jobs will continue to be prominent in the American workforce. Online job boards that want to bring in extra revenue need to focus on the rise in part-time jobs, and start giving job hunters and companies the options they need to fill these important positions.

George N Root III is a professional freelance writer who has expertise in topics such as Internet marketing, business, advertising, and personal finance.