Julio couldn’t remember ever working just one job. He’d always had a side hustle. His main job working construction hadn’t changed much since his start. Oh, he’d gotten pay raises and even now did a lot of supervision. He was also working for a more-reliable company than the one with which he had started. But Julio knew his day job wasn’t going to change much for him. He did his daily construction work and went home, and his company paid him. Julio’s side hustles were entirely different. They changed constantly. They also amused, engaged, and challenged him. Julio also learned and grew in his second jobs. And all of that was why he’d always had a second job. Oh, sure, the income was helpful, at times even important. But Julio didn’t really work his side gigs for the income. He worked his side gigs for himself.
Definition
A second job involves a part-time role earning extra income, whether on a contract or employment basis, supplementary to a full-time job. A second job, sometimes called a side gig or side hustle, implies its subsidiary role to the main job or day job that undergirds the worker’s finances and serves as the worker’s career. Most American workers have only one job at a time. Only about one out of twenty workers have multiple jobs. But still, that means that around nine-million workers hold second jobs, which is a lot of extra employment. And as this chapter highlights, second jobs can offer workers substantial advantages, beyond the extra income they earn. If you’re in a solid career but have a yearning to explore other opportunities, consider taking on a second job. If you’re in the wrong career or in a career that looks like it will soon be ending, and you don’t have other obvious prospects, then seriously consider taking a second job to see what develops from it.
Examples
Delivering pizzas may be the classic second job, one that often comes to mind when a worker with a weekday job needs a little extra income. Pizza delivery, or food delivery more generally, can make a good second job because of its evening and weekend hours, and little to no need for training or equipment other than a vehicle, which most workers already have. Food delivery also requires little or no loyalty and has few if any disqualifying conditions. Workers with poor employment histories and even criminal convictions may still qualify for the job. But other second jobs abound, and for workers at all education, skill, and experience levels. Some employment roles, not just pizza delivery, even depend largely or solely on second-job workers. Adjunct teaching is an example. If you’re interested in extra work, don’t hesitate to look around your field for opportunities, even if you’re in a high-skill field. I’ve taken on extra outside work, even while a full-time lawyer and full-time professor.
Income
A big reason workers take a second job is their need for extra income. Supplementing your income is a perfectly sound reason for a second job. You might, though, consider informing your employer not only of your taking on extra outside work but also of your need to do so. Your employer may have attractive internal options, whether a pay raise, promotion, or overtime hours. If income is your reason for taking a side job, be sure the job you take earns you extra income, counting the hidden costs. Pizza delivery may pay cash tips, but it can also put expensive wear and tear on your vehicle. And again, if income is your reason for a second job, be sure your second job doesn’t convince your employer to pass you over for advancement that would have provided you that income. Income-based second jobs may be best in careers where you have little or no clear prospect for advancement and increases in income.
Security
Income security is another reason workers take second jobs. Your first job may be providing sufficient income but not providing reasonable job security. You may see layoffs or reductions in force coming in your day job, without a clear path into a replacement job. Under those circumstances, a second job can not only give you an income stream to build a rainy-day fund for a potential job loss but also provide continuing income while you find a new day job. Your second job might even become your day job. You don’t have to be employment insecure, even if your day job is in fact insecure. A second job can provide the security that a day job does not. Job security is a solid ground for pursuing and holding down a second job. What you learn in your second job may even supplement and amplify your skills in your day job, giving you greater day-job security.
Challenge
The sheer challenge of a second job is another reason some workers take one. Day jobs can become routine. Indeed, we may prefer them to be routine. But too much routine, without enough challenge and excitement in one’s life, can become a problem. You don’t have to take on an expensive and hazardous hobby like bungee jumping or skydiving, or engage in risky behavior like drinking, gambling, or drugs, to satisfy your inherent need for excitement and challenge. A second job may do. If you need some spice in your life, to stretch your wings and exert yourself, and to meet new people and go new places, a second job may be your answer. A second job can certainly do a lot of other good things for you, your family, and your community, while supplying you with a needed and refreshing challenge.
Opportunity
Another reason why some workers pursue second jobs is the opportunity to develop something that in itself builds and holds value. Many small businesses, and a few large ones, started as someone’s second job. Second jobs in some fields and sectors can grow. What began as selling a few flowers out of one’s plot out back can grow into a full-fledged nursery business. What began as mowing a few lawns up and down the street can grow into a full-fledged lawn and landscaping service. What began as cutting a little hair on the side can become a full-fledged cosmetology business. Custodial services, tax preparation, extermination services, and a hundred other fields invite second-job entrants, soon becoming day-job businesses. Individuals skilled at arts, crafts, personal services, professional services, and a host of other fields may find opportunities through second jobs to build their own individual and family business. Don’t hesitate to build yourself some equity through a second job.
Interest
Another reason workers take second jobs is out of pure interest. Many workers with a good day job find recreations to pursue outside of that job, on evenings, weekends, and vacations. But some workers take those occasions to pursue more than just recreation, out of their peculiar skills and interests. They may paint, sculpt, draw, or write, and then take their creations to art fairs, enjoying the travel and community while paying for it out of their sales earnings. They may serve as paid hunting or fishing guides on evenings and weekends. They may even develop a bed and breakfast business out of a second home or cottage. Those workers might not do any of these things for money, security, or equity, to build a business. They may instead do them purely to be as engaged as positively as possible in their own lives and the lives and interests of others. Don’t hesitate to take or make a second job out of your interests.
Service
The above sections show several advantages that second jobs can provide, in income, security, opportunity, and interest. But you don’t have to accept a second job for its advantages. Sometimes, the gain from your second job is not your gain but someone else’s gain. Plenty of us have taken second jobs or extra work primarily because someone needed us to do so. You might have a family member or friend who needs your help in their business because of a seasonal rush, personal health issue, or other emergency or temporary circumstance. You might have a charity or cause ask you to provide paid or volunteer contract services or take a part-time paid or volunteer role, to assist the charity or advance the cause that you already support. You may have a school ask you to teach as an adjunct to educate and mentor students in your field in which you have special expertise. Plenty of second jobs arise not out of the worker’s needs and interests but out of the needs and interests of others. Don’t hesitate to say yes to those opportunities, even if they are not directly in your interest, if you recognize a broader responsibility and interest to serve.
Selection
The prior sections suggest that you should take care in your selection of second jobs. Have your reasons, whether based on your own interests or the interests of others. But also evaluate the impact of your second job on your health, family, finances, and day-job career. Taking a second job on a short-term basis as a tryout may be fine, just to learn some things. But don’t take a second job that costs you your health, family relationships, or relationship with your day-job employer. Be wise in your selection of second jobs. Don’t take a second job in which you risk serious injury or that can harm your reputation and relationships. Don’t take second jobs with disreputable companies or co-workers. A full-time pastor who takes a second job as a bartender or nightclub bouncer might have made a poor choice of second jobs.
Sensitivity
Especially, show sensitivity toward your daytime employer. Think carefully whether you should disclose your second job to your employer. Disclosure may be necessary and appropriate to ensure that your daytime employer has no objections. On the other hand, disclosure may signal to your daytime employer that you aren’t dedicated to your day job, when to the contrary you just need the extra money. But likewise, your disclosure that you need the extra money may indicate to your daytime employer that you are irresponsible with money. Think these things through. If you have someone at your daytime place of employment in whom you can confide to give you advice on the subject, such as a trusted supervisor or mentor who likes and protects you, then do so. Follow their advice on whether to take the second job and how much or little to disclose to your daytime employer. And never take a second job that creates potential conflicts with your primary job, such as working for a competitor of or supplier to your daytime employer, without full disclosure and your daytime employer’s strong support and encouragement.
Future
You’ve seen above that second jobs can point you toward your future. Your second job may become your day job or provide a bridge to your next job after your current job ends. Second jobs can also supplement your skills and experience in ways that advance your position in your current job. Second jobs can also build your network and reputation, leading to professional or vocational leadership positions that then increase your influence and standing with your day-job employer. If your day job begins to feel like it isn’t offering you the challenge, growth, and opportunity you need for your greatest personal, professional, or vocational development, then a second job can be the window through which you look, and the door through which you walk, into that brighter future. Pursue a second job thoughtfully, but welcome a second job if it brightens your future.
Journal
Review your Career Journal reflections in light of this chapter’s discussion about second jobs. Add relevant reflections to any sections you see, where you could include experiences, skills, and opportunities related to second jobs. Consider the possibility of taking on a second job to advance your career or investigate career opportunities. Record your second-job thoughts and plans in your Career Journal, and record what you learn as you implement those plans.
Key Points
A second job supplements full-time work in one’s main career.
A small percentage but large number of workers have second jobs.
Workers take second jobs for extra income and for job security.
Workers take second jobs for the challenge and opportunity.
Workers take second jobs out of interest and to help others.
Avoid second jobs that harm you, your family, or your main employer.
Be sensitive in disclosing your second job to your main employer.
Never take a second job that conflicts with your main employment.
Use a second job as a window and door to your future.