Should You Take a Second Job for Supplemental Income?

如果你看着你的lonely retirement account and trying to brainstorm ways to add to it, you might consider finding a second job to add more breathing room to your budget. If so, you’re not alone. Many people are looking for ways to supplement their income these days, as it seems like there is an ever-widening gap between the cost of living and average pay.

At first glance,it seems like taking a second job is the easiest way to supplement your income and make ends meet. And while it can be, there are times when it can negatively impact your goals. Take the time to consider the pros and cons before making the jump.

The Positive Impacts of a Second Job

If you’re barely scraping by with your current job, it can feel like you’re running on a treadmill. No matter how hard you work, you never seem to get ahead. Even if you’re not trying to save money, a second job can still be beneficial. If you want to learn new skills or gain experience in a different field inpreparation for a career change, working a second job can make that happen. Consider all of the positive benefits you might discover.

—Generate More Income

The most obvious reason to take on a second job is to make extra money. With so manypart-time and flexible employment options,这是比以往更容易find a position that fits your schedule. You can generallyfind something that fits around your primary job without creating any scheduling conflicts, possibly even one you can do from home. When you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash, getting a second job is worth considering.

—Facilitate a Career Change

Taking a part-time job in your desired field isan excellent way to test the waters when considering a career change. It’s an opportunity to explore whether the new area is a good fit for you without having to make a significant career shift. Part-time jobs can also bea great way to network and build relationshipswith people in your desired industry. And if you’re worried about the finances of moving into an entry-level role in a new field, working part-time while you transition to a new career can help ease the financial burden. It could be just the thing you need to jump-start your new career.

—Create a Backup

Many peoplefind comfort in knowing that they have a part-time job to fall back on if they ever lose their primary source of income. While a part-time job may not pay as much as a full-time position, it can still provide a steady paycheck to help cover expenses and keep the lights on. Furthermore, many people who start out working part-time eventually find themselves in full-time positions. It can be a stepping-stone to more incredible things.

—Gain New Skills

When you look at your career development plan, are there a few skills you’re missing? A second job isa fantastic opportunity to gain those skillswhile keeping your primary job on track to carry you through to the next goal. For many people, freelancing or working at a nonprofit is an excellent addition to their current career life. While they might not want to make a complete leap over to either role full-time, it’s a fantastic addition to their daily work calendar. Andsecond jobs are often easier to commit to if you approach them with an end date in mind.

Some Negative Impacts of a Second Job

At first glance, there’s a lot that taking on a second job can offer. However, it’s essential to take a step back and consider the potential drawbacks before taking on more work.

—Losing Time You’ll Never Get Back

One of the biggest challenges of working two jobs is finding the time to balance everything. Working long hours means having less time for your family, friends, and hobbies if you’re working long hours. Additionally, working two jobs can be physically and emotionally draining. When you’re looking at the schedule you’d be working,do you have self-care included?Rather than planning to burn the candle at both ends, you need to确保你塔基•ng care of yourselfand getting enough rest. Make sure that you have a plan for managing your time and energy.

—Jeopardizing Your Main Job

Most companies don’t support employees working a second job if it’s in the same industry, if your productivity drops, or if your schedules begin to conflict. Ideally, you should choose a second job that doesn’t overlap with your current responsibilities and perhaps schedule a check-in with your HR department or direct supervisor to verify their stance. That way, you can ensure that your main employer doesn’t assume that you’re unhappy in your job and planning to quit eventually. Instead, you can give the highlights, such as paying off a credit card or learning a new skill,letting them know that it’s part of an intentional short-term plan.

—Negatively Impacting Your Finances

In some cases, taking on additional work can actually harm your finances. You mightdiscover that commuting costs更高的税率,和额外的杂费,如extra meals away from home, additional childcare costs, and any other work clothes, bring the amount you’re making down substantially.Take time to analyze how much you’d truly be adding to your budgetand determine if the extra hours are worth it. If you’re working an hourly job, is it possible that working a little overtime at your current job is an option? How about a flexible job that you can do at home with a low time commitment?

Finding the Best Second Job for You

Holding down two jobs can be a daunting task, butit can also be a great way to earn extra money and gain new skills. Before you take the plunge, take the time to truly analyze if it’s the best move for your career and current financial situation. It’s essential to fully weigh the pros and cons before deciding.

If you've considered all of the variables and decided that a second flexible or part-time job would fit into your schedule, we can help! Take the tour and discover all of the ways that a FlexJobs membership can support your job search and flexible career goals.

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