However, second jobs are not appropriate for everyone. Depending on your circumstances, there may be more effective ways to boost your income. In this article, we\u2019ll help you decide whether a second job is right for you \u2013 and if it\u2019s not \u2013 what other options might be available.<\/p>\n
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Should I Get a Second Job?<\/h2>\n
In many cases, working a second job will help you reach your financial goals faster. However, before taking the plunge, you should consider the following points:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Will your existing employer allow you to take on a second job?<\/li>\n
- There may be some tax implications (it is your responsibility to inform the IRS of changes to your income)<\/li>\n
- Cities and urban areas tend to have lots of part-time\/flexible work, whereas rural areas have fewer opportunities. Nevertheless, there are plenty of second jobs you can do from home.<\/li>\n
- What are your family commitments? Could you fit a second job around these commitments?<\/li>\n
- Working two jobs requires lots of energy, pre-planning, and a positive attitude.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To help you decide if a second job is right for you, we\u2019ll explore each of the above points in a bit more detail. Let\u2019s begin by discussing the pros and cons of working a second job.<\/p>\n
Advantages of Working a Second Job<\/h3>\n
The primary reason for working a second job is to increase your income. But there are some additional benefits to working a second job:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Develop your Skills \u2013 <\/strong>Let\u2019s assume you\u2019ve worked as a health aide for ten years. During this time, you\u2019ve developed strong interpersonal skills, but you\u2019ve never had the chance to develop your IT skills. If you found a data-entry job that you could do in the evenings, this would allow you to become more IT savvy. Working two jobs can diversify your skill set and make you more employable.<\/li>\n
- Refocus \u2013 <\/strong>If you feel unfulfilled or bored during your leisure time, you could occupy yourself with a second job.<\/li>\n
- Job Security \u2013 <\/strong>In today\u2019s economy, many of us worry about losing our job. If you have two jobs in separate industries, the likelihood of losing both at once is quite slim.<\/li>\n
- A Low-Risk Way of Trying a New Career \u2013<\/strong> Working two jobs allows you to try out new industries\/companies without committing to them exclusively. Indeed, many full-time freelancers started by freelancing around their day job.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While second jobs can offer you a lot, they are not all created equal. Some second jobs offer very few of the perks listed above and might be more hassle than they\u2019re worth. That\u2019s why it is essential to choose a second job that fits in with your lifestyle.<\/p>\n
Disadvantages of Working a Second Job <\/strong><\/p>\n
There are some potential downsides to working a second job. For example:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Less Money than it\u2019s Worth <\/strong>\u2013 If you\u2019re hiring a babysitter so you can work a second job, this might not be worth your while. Also, when people start working two jobs, they tend to spend more money on takeout coffee and high-energy snacks to get them through the day. Finally, there\u2019s the issue of taxes (more on this below).<\/li>\n
- Burnout \u2013<\/strong> Everyone\u2019s threshold for burnout is different, so try to tune into your own needs before taking on a second job. Ask yourself: Am I already very stressed in my main job? Or, could I handle some additional activities? Could I cope with more physical activity in my day? Will I have the support of my family if I work a second job? <\/em>Remember, burnout could result in you losing both<\/em> jobs so you should be reasonably confident you could cope with a second job before committing to it.<\/li>\n
- Weight Gain \u2013 <\/strong>Working a second job can lead to poor eating habits if you don\u2019t plan ahead.<\/li>\n
- Relationship Problems <\/strong>\u2013 If you\u2019re working all hours of the day, your family may start to feel neglected.<\/li>\n
- Problems at Your Main Job <\/strong>\u2013 Working two jobs can land you in trouble with your primary employer \u2013 especially if your employer believes there to be a \u2018conflict of interest\u2019 (more on this below). Even if your employer allows you to moonlight at another job, it\u2019s your responsibility to make sure your job performance is not negatively affected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Can an Employer Forbid Me from Getting a Second Job?<\/h2>\n
Employment law is pretty complex, and laws are not the same across all states. If you\u2019re considering the possibility of taking on a second job – first take a look at your employment contract.<\/p>\n
Many job contracts will include a \u2018non-compete\u2019 clause. Some non-compete clauses forbid you from taking on any<\/em> other paid work, whereas others forbid you from working in a job where there might be a \u2018conflict of interest.\u2019<\/p>\n
In this case, your contract probably states that you should tell the HR department about the second job before<\/em> accepting it, and they will decide if there\u2019s a conflict of interest or not. If the second job is in the same industry as your main job, this may be considered a conflict of interest.<\/p>\n
![\"Can](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Can-an-employer-forbid-me-from-getting-a-second-job.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIf your employment contract is unclear regarding moonlighting, or you can\u2019t see a non-compete clause, it\u2019s a good idea to contact HR and clarify the policy before commencing a second job.<\/p>\n
Non-compete clauses are more common in office-based, jobs, but they\u2019re also quite common in the healthcare sector. These clauses are not valid in all US states. If you live in California, Montana, North Dakota, or Oklahoma, a non-compete clause is unlikely to be enforceable by law.<\/p>\n
How to Discuss a Second Job with Your Employer<\/h3>\n
Broaching the topic of a second job can be tricky. If your employment contract states you must ask permission from HR, make sure you do this before<\/em> you start working a second job. Also, keep the following in mind:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Try to set up a face-to-face meeting with HR so you can explain your reasons for wanting to find a second job. Besides the additional income, emphasize the other potential benefits of working the second job (perhaps you\u2019ll be more physically active or gain new skills).<\/li>\n
- Be clear about how you will plan your time and handle both jobs effectively.<\/li>\n
- Emphasize the fact that your first job remains your priority and that you\u2019ll be open to regular performance reviews if necessary.<\/li>\n
- Tell your employer which industries you are interested in (as mentioned, if you tell them you are interested in working in a different industry, they\u2019re less likely to be concerned).<\/li>\n
- Keep a paper record of their final decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If your company has a blanket ban on all forms of secondary employment \u2013 you can still ask. Set up a meeting with your manager or HR representative and ask if they would be willing to review their moonlighting policy. If nothing else, this could help you negotiate an internal promotion or pay rise.<\/p>\n
Can an Employer Find Out About Second Job?<\/h3>\n
When you start a second job, you\u2019ll usually adjust your W-4 form at your first job to make sure you are paying the correct amount of tax. Some people are worried that adjusting their W-4 form will give the game away. Although changing your W-4 tells employers your household income\/tax situation has changed \u2013 they won\u2019t know exactly what has changed in your life.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not inevitable that your employer will find out about your second job, but in practice \u2013 they usually do. The longer you work for another company, the more likely you are to be exposed. If your employer does find out about your second job, it\u2019s usually due to one of the following reasons:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Your performance worsens<\/li>\n
- You\u2019re arriving\/leaving earlier\/later than usual<\/li>\n
- You tell someone about your job and word gets around<\/li>\n
- Someone sees you at work (in person or on social media)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If your second job is customer-facing, you\u2019re more likely to be \u2018spotted\u2019 by work colleagues.<\/p>\n
How Much Tax Do You Pay on a Second Job?<\/h2>\n
When starting a second job, one of the most significant risks you face is paying the incorrect <\/em>amount of tax. As you\u2019re probably aware, most citizens are eligible to earn $12,200 of tax-free income. Whether you have one, two, or three jobs \u2013 income above this amount will be taxed. If you fail to declare your situation to the IRS, you risk being taxed twice on the same income.<\/p>\n
When you take on a second job, you\u2019ll need to fill in a W-4 form with your new employer and adjust your W-4 form with your existing employer to make sure the information is correct. If you have two jobs, you should use the Two-Earners\/Multiple Jobs worksheet or the IRS Withholding Calculator<\/a><\/strong> to calculate your tax obligations\/allowances.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nIt\u2019s often best to claim all your tax allowances on your highest paying job and claim zero allowances on your second job. Keeping your W-4 form up-to-date will ensure you are not taxed too much unnecessarily. Even if your taxes are in order, there are some situations where getting a second job doesn\u2019t \u2018pay\u2019 as much as you\u2019re expecting it to. For example:<\/p>\n
- \n
- If your second job pushes you into the next tax bracket \u2013 but only marginally \u2013 you might not see much extra money in your pocket.<\/li>\n
- If you receive Earned Income Credit, you may no longer eligible for this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Finally, if you are planning to moonlight as a self-employed person, filing your taxes can get quite complicated. You may need to budget for some professional tax advice \u2013 at least in the first year of trading.<\/p>\n
Second Job Ideas<\/h2>\n
Second jobs need to be flexible and fairly low-pressure if you\u2019re going to maintain them for more than a couple of months. The type of job you choose will be limited by what is available in your local area, and what you already do for a living. Nevertheless, here are some popular second job options:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Retail \u2013<\/strong> Some retail stores hire evening workers to tidy up the displays and replenish stock. You\u2019ll be kept busy so the time should pass pretty quickly.<\/li>\n
- Hospitality \u2013<\/strong> if you\u2019re looking for flexible evening and weekend shifts, consider working in a bar or restaurant. If you usually sit at a desk all day<\/strong><\/a>, working on your feet might be a pleasant change.<\/li>\n
- Security \u2013<\/strong> Depending on where you live, it might be quite easy to pick up some evening security work.<\/li>\n
- Tutoring \u2013<\/strong> Tutoring can sometimes be worked around a 9-5-day job. If you have expertise in a particular subject, you could charge as much as $40-50 per hour.<\/li>\n
- Evening Receptionist <\/strong>\u2013 In bigger cities, gyms, health centers, and law firms tend to recruit evening receptionists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Get a Second Job<\/h3>\n
Securing a second job is not always easy. For a start, you need to be a bit pickier about start\/finish times \u2013 because your new role will have to fit around your main job. However, finding a second job is not impossible.<\/p>\n
Start by looking at job listings websites. Use search terms such as \u201cevening\u201d \u201cweekend\u201d<\/em> \u201cpart-time\u201d <\/em>and \u201cflexible<\/em>\u201d to filter the results. Although recruitment mostly happens online these days, don\u2019t disregard more traditional job-seeking strategies.<\/p>\n
Small, independent shops and restaurants still advertise vacancies in their windows or through word-of-mouth so ask around in your local area. Also, consider whether a previous employer would rehire you on a flexible\/ad hoc basis.<\/p>\n
When searching and interviewing for a second job, consider the following tips:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Be very clear about your availability from the outset. Don\u2019t lie and say you\u2019ll be able to do some daytime shifts if you know you won\u2019t be able to.<\/li>\n
- Highlight your transferable skills. To avoid a \u2018conflict of interest,\u2019 you\u2019ll usually need to apply for a second job that is completely unrelated to your first job. If you don\u2019t highlight your transferable skills, a recruiter might doubt if you\u2019re a good \u2018fit\u2019 for the role. For example, if your day job is in IT, but you want an evening job in hospitality, you should emphasize the communications\/customer-service elements of your IT job on your resume.<\/li>\n
- Finally, it\u2019s important to check that both your current and<\/em> your second employer would be comfortable with you holding down two jobs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"is](\"https:\/\/phlebotomyexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/is-it-worth-getting-a-second-job.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSecond Job Ideas from Home<\/h3>\n
If you live in a rural area, or you already work very long hours, getting a second \u2018traditional\u2019 job might seem impractical. However, thanks to the growing gig economy, it\u2019s now easier than ever to supplement your income while working from home.<\/p>\n
- Hospitality \u2013<\/strong> if you\u2019re looking for flexible evening and weekend shifts, consider working in a bar or restaurant. If you usually sit at a desk all day<\/strong><\/a>, working on your feet might be a pleasant change.<\/li>\n
- Retail \u2013<\/strong> Some retail stores hire evening workers to tidy up the displays and replenish stock. You\u2019ll be kept busy so the time should pass pretty quickly.<\/li>\n
- Burnout \u2013<\/strong> Everyone\u2019s threshold for burnout is different, so try to tune into your own needs before taking on a second job. Ask yourself: Am I already very stressed in my main job? Or, could I handle some additional activities? Could I cope with more physical activity in my day? Will I have the support of my family if I work a second job? <\/em>Remember, burnout could result in you losing both<\/em> jobs so you should be reasonably confident you could cope with a second job before committing to it.<\/li>\n
- Refocus \u2013 <\/strong>If you feel unfulfilled or bored during your leisure time, you could occupy yourself with a second job.<\/li>\n
- Develop your Skills \u2013 <\/strong>Let\u2019s assume you\u2019ve worked as a health aide for ten years. During this time, you\u2019ve developed strong interpersonal skills, but you\u2019ve never had the chance to develop your IT skills. If you found a data-entry job that you could do in the evenings, this would allow you to become more IT savvy. Working two jobs can diversify your skill set and make you more employable.<\/li>\n