Moonlighter

Strategies for finding and surviving a second job:

• Check your main employer’s policies. Before you even consider looking for a second job, take the time to check your current employer’s policies about holding outside employment.
• Understand your reasons for taking a second job. If your reasons are purely monetary, you may be able to talk to your current employer to pick up extra shifts rather than take a second job.
• Consider a trial basis. Moonlighting in short doses — to accomplish some short-term goals — usually works better than working multiple jobs for long stretches of time. (The majority of moonlighters are short-termers.)
• Find a job that interests you. Perhaps your main job is a boring office job. Try something fun like being a tour guide or other more unusual job for your second one. Or start your own business.
• Consider second jobs that are less stressful. If your first job is a pressure-cooker, find a second one that is relaxing to you, such as pet-sitting or tutoring.
• Find jobs that are geographically close to each other — or to your home. Your time will be limited enough without adding a long commute to your second job.
• Seek out new opportunities with new employers. If you are contemplating a career change, but are not sure of your next career, use second jobs to test out some of your career ideas.
• Reduce your load. If you are working multiple jobs, it’s probably time to cut some of those extracurricular activities.
• Carve out time for significant others. You must find a way to schedule some time with your family and friends or those relationships will suffer — and if you have a partner, be sure s/he is okay with your plans.
• Know when it’s time to quit. Whether it’s when you reach your financial goal or when you are beginning to mentally or physically break down, you must reduce your load… though that does not necessarily mean quitting your second job (if it has become your new career passion).