Is Working Two Jobs For You?

Before you make the jump in to working two jobs, there are a few personal aspects that you will probably want to examine first.

It is estimated that around thirteen million workers in the United States have more than one job, and almost 7% of all US workers are working two jobs or more. Chances are, you’ve met someone or know someone personally who holds more than one occupation at a time.

Whether they have two full-time jobs, a full-time job and a part-time job, or a part-time job and multiple side hustles, Americans are prone to taking on a heavier workload than much of the rest of the world.

If you aren’t one of those people, you may be wondering, “Why do people hold more than one job?” and maybe even, “Should I get a second job?”

The answers to both of these questions are subjective and personalized, but we’ll break down a few of the common ones in this post.

Let’s dive into why people have a second (or third, or fourth, or…) job if you should consider searching for an additional job. If you decide you should, how to start your path and manage your time with more than one job.

It’s all ultimately up to you and what fits your needs, but be sure to thoroughly read and examine your wants and needs to make a decision on your employment status.

Reasons Why People Are Working Two Jobs

The reasons people accept or apply for second jobs are as plentiful and unique as the reasons people drive their cars. Maybe it fits their needs, maybe they are forced to in order to make ends meet, or maybe they found a good opportunity and decided to jump on it.

Whatever the reason, there are a few broad statements that many people with more than one job can relate to. If you don’t understand why people work two jobs, keep reading to see three reasons that answer that question.

Financial Reasons

The first and most obvious reason that people find additional employment is for financial reasons. With the income demographics of the US, the average income is only about $7,000 higher than what is considered low income.

This means that many people are barely living above the low-income line, and spending only $583 per month places them in the low-income category. For this reason, many people pick up second jobs to have a bit more spending money.

Maybe they want a bigger house meaning a larger house payment, a nicer car with a hefty monthly bill, or maybe they simply want to be able to buy expensive wine and on-brand cheese.

Having more money in your wallet can mean anything from more lavish vacations to a bigger retirement fund. Whatever the possession of desire is, the allowance of a higher budget is the most common reason for having more than one job.

Explore New Fields

Another and less common reason to hold another job is to not tie yourself down to one passion.

As humans, many of us are designed to be interested in multiple things and will not be satisfied with only fitting into one category (check out this article on “multipotentialites;” you may be one!).

Because of this, lots of people seek second employment due to being dissatisfied with only one field. While the second job may be related somehow (for example, an art professor also being a museum curator), it can bring about a new sense of satisfaction in employment.

As the saying goes, “Two is better than one;” if you’re passionate about multiple things, pursue them all! Many people will tell you that it’s the way to go.

Gain Experience

A reason for a second job that is seldom talked about is experience. By that, I mean that many people may hold two or more jobs at once in order to bulk up their resume and gain more experience in their chosen field.

A nursing student may be interning at a hospital, but they may also have a good opportunity working at a senior citizen center. Someone in the realtor business may want to work for someone else staging houses while also selling houses.

Getting more hands-on experience in your career field is always a good idea; a second job can help you do just that.

Is It Worth Working Two Jobs?

After reading the statements above, you may be asking yourself, “Is working two jobs for me?” And while it isn’t for everyone, it very well may be the path that pushes you further in your field. A second job may also fulfill you more, and helps you live more comfortably in a financial sense.

Let’s go through a few things to consider to see if getting a second job is worth it for you.

First off, what is your personal life like currently? Do you find yourself with no time for friends and family? Are you constantly running errands with no end? If the answer is yes, then getting a second job probably isn’t for you.

Be sure to thoroughly look into your situation regarding your family, current work-life balance, personal schedule, and mental health.

If you feel that another job may be too stressful and pressuring to you, then it probably will be; but if not, you may want to take the risk and switch to another career or occupation that you love. If you decide on the latter, keep reading to find out what steps you should take.

How To Start Your Journey Towards Working Two Jobs

Once you decide that you want a second job, there are a few things you should do to optimize your experience in job hunting. Keeping two jobs separate and active is stressful enough; you want your job search to be as easy and stress-free as possible.

The first step to securing a(nother) job is to update your resume. If you haven’t sought out a job since the one you currently have, you definitely need to include your recent employment and accomplishments.

Be sure to make your resume is unique, bold and to include that you also currently work somewhere.

Updating your resume is essential to this process; otherwise, you may get questions about an employment gap and you’ll have to answer that your resume is out of date. (This post isn’t here to help you create a great resume, but this one is. Also, click here to find a good resume builder website.)

This is optional, but another good step may be to inform your boss or supervisor that you are searching for secondary employment and your reasons for doing so. The logic behind this is to make sure your employer knows you aren’t looking to leave your job just to acquire a second one.

Who knows, if you express financial concerns, they may even give you a raise!

Searching For That Second Job

After your resume is updated and your employer is taken care of, it’s time to get right into the gritty act of job hunting. If you’ve hunted before, you probably know of some good outlets, but if not, let’s examine some.

First off, Google’s “Explore Jobs” feature is pretty spot on and can save you lots of time and inbox space. Simply type the job you’re looking for and the area (example: nursing home jobs in Knoxville). Google will provide you with a list of openings and where and how to apply to them.

This is a quick, easy way to find lots of jobs and browse the ones that fit your requirements.

Additionally, signing up for sites like Glassdoor and Indeed will ping you any time a job fitting your parameters appears on the market. This is a helpful tool if you’re actively looking to fit into a job fast.

Once your resume is completed, uploaded, and you’re a contender for jobs, congratulations! You’re all set to find secondary employment. Be sure to closely watch your email and phone to look out for employers contacting you.

Don’t let the process overwhelm you; remember that working two jobs is supposed to enhance your life overall!

In closing

In the end, working two jobs is completely up to you and should elevate your life experience, not overcomplicate it. If at all possible, try to look for and land a job that you’re passionate about and will truly enjoy. If you don’t love what you do, you’ll never perform at your peak capabilities.  Obviously, financial needs may trump passion, but when possible, choose things that interest you.

Be sure to do well in your interviews, be respectful to your current employers, know your worth, and take care of yourself. Your physical and mental health should come before everything! Good luck on this new journey of your life!