By Melanie Fischer
Have you been looking for a full-time job but only been able to find part-time positions? Earning money through part-time work is better than not earning money at all, but it's not always optimal.
Maybe you've been thinking about trying to get two or more part-time jobs to earn the same amount of money you'd earn with one full-time gig. But beware: This can be more difficult than you might think.
Here are some pros and cons that you need to think about when it comes to part-time work:
Pro: Part-time job hours can be flexible.
It may be that you're only able to work during morning hours or on weekends. In this type of situation, you may be able to find one part-time job to fill your morning hours and another part-time job on Saturdays or Sundays. Most full-time positions don't offer this type of flexibility, so working one or more part-time jobs may provide you with the work-life balance you need and want.
Con: Extra commuting.
One aspect of a 40-hour-a-week job is that you normally go to your job at a specific time of day, stay there for eight hours and then go home at the end of your shift. With two or more part-time jobs, it's likely you'll spend a considerable amount of time commuting from one to the other (unless you work from home). The time it takes to get to and from numerous part-time jobs can significantly extend your workday.
Have you been looking for a full-time job but only been able to find part-time positions? Earning money through part-time work is better than not earning money at all, but it's not always optimal.
Maybe you've been thinking about trying to get two or more part-time jobs to earn the same amount of money you'd earn with one full-time gig. But beware: This can be more difficult than you might think.
Here are some pros and cons that you need to think about when it comes to part-time work:
Pro: Part-time job hours can be flexible.
It may be that you're only able to work during morning hours or on weekends. In this type of situation, you may be able to find one part-time job to fill your morning hours and another part-time job on Saturdays or Sundays. Most full-time positions don't offer this type of flexibility, so working one or more part-time jobs may provide you with the work-life balance you need and want.
Con: Extra commuting.
One aspect of a 40-hour-a-week job is that you normally go to your job at a specific time of day, stay there for eight hours and then go home at the end of your shift. With two or more part-time jobs, it's likely you'll spend a considerable amount of time commuting from one to the other (unless you work from home). The time it takes to get to and from numerous part-time jobs can significantly extend your workday.
Pro: If something happens to one job, you still have the other.
You may have greater job security if you have two or more part-time jobs instead of one that's full-time. If you work several part-time positions and you lose one of them, you will still retain a portion of your income while you look for a replacement for the other.
Con: Switching gears.
Besides the extra time it takes to get from one part-time job to another each day, working more than one part-time job in different industries can be hard on your body and brain. It can also be difficult to concentrate on one job while thinking about the other.
Pro: Gaining broad professional experience.
Don't be discouraged if you're working one or more part-time jobs to make ends meet while searching for a full-time position. You can absolutely succeed professionally by working this way. One benefit of working several part-time jobs is that they will expand your professional skill set. Additionally, you may be able to use multiple part-time jobs as leverage against each other if any of the employers eventually offers you a full-time position.
You may have greater job security if you have two or more part-time jobs instead of one that's full-time. If you work several part-time positions and you lose one of them, you will still retain a portion of your income while you look for a replacement for the other.
Con: Switching gears.
Besides the extra time it takes to get from one part-time job to another each day, working more than one part-time job in different industries can be hard on your body and brain. It can also be difficult to concentrate on one job while thinking about the other.
Pro: Gaining broad professional experience.
Don't be discouraged if you're working one or more part-time jobs to make ends meet while searching for a full-time position. You can absolutely succeed professionally by working this way. One benefit of working several part-time jobs is that they will expand your professional skill set. Additionally, you may be able to use multiple part-time jobs as leverage against each other if any of the employers eventually offers you a full-time position.