One Job or two? You choose
In 1997, I was laid off by AT&T. It was a huge lay off and many people were affected. While I was upset by the layoff, I was excited about the possibilities of re-employment. I’d been with AT&T 15 years and it was time for a change.
At the time, I was laid off I heard about another employee also laid off. I didn’t know him well but he was part of my division. He had evidently had a side printing business and so after the layoff he just went to his printing business full time.
The requirements of my job with AT&T never gave me enough time to spend with my family. I was working easily 60 hours and more a week. I could not figure out how someone could have a side business and a full-time job. It seemed to me that he couldn’t do a great job with either one because he was stretched so thin.
There was something else that went bothered me about his business and that was his lack of loyalty. I’d always been a very loyal employee and now I felt the company was not loyal to me. I was a few years away from retirement. I’d done my job really well, had tons of awards for the work and accolades from my managers and this is what I got!! Seemed to me that having a side business was paying off for this fellow. Clearly, he had the right idea.
Fast Forward to 2017 and the idea of having a full-time job with a part time one seems more than likely. I have several friends on Facebook with other businesses that rent a room in their home on Airbnb. Last year the person who picked me up at the airport was also a full-time management consultant working from home. Just recently I read that a couple had bought a franchise when one of them was out of work and kept it after that person got a job so they could fund their 401K.
In a survey by Fast Company magazine says, “As many as 81% of traditional workers they surveyed said they would “be willing to do additional work outside of [their] primary job if it was available and enabled [them] to make more money.””
My change in attitude toward second jobs began when I began my coach training. Many in my classes worked full time. Since in order learn the skill of coaching you needed to practice, many instructors suggested that students take on some pro bono clients. As we progressed through the training, many began to charge for coaching and then instructors would advise not quitting your day job until you knew you could replace your income or at least live on what you were earning.
Today there are many ways people can supplement their income using online websites. I know several people who are Uber or Lyft drivers. The beauty of this is you can regulate your hours so as not to conflict with your full-time job.
People who are crafty can make something to sell on Etsy. This is one way to test a product before you spend money on starting a business. Task Rabbit is another site that you can use to see if the service you offer is of interest to enough people so that you might start a business of your own offering it.
In fact, as a SCORE counselor I often recommend that clients test to see if the product or service they are offering is attractive to others. Selling a product online or in a Farmers Market are two ways to test your product or service.
There are 3 different reasons people will give for having a second job. Some do it to build a skill that they need to gain to advance in their career, some do it for the money, and some do it as a backup to the full-time career just in case they are let go from their full time job.
I’m Curious.
What about you? Are you working two jobs? Is the reason you are working the job one of the three above or do you have a different reason. Let me know.
Vacation Time
I’m no longer skeptical about second jobs and I’m ready to endorse them if you can handle it. Let’s not forget however that down time and vacation time are very important. Is it possible to get a vacation from both jobs so that you can relax and get away from everything?
Coaching Opportunity
What is the right solution for you? I can help you to decide. I can be your sounding board, listen carefully to what you want, and reflect back to you what I heard you say. Sometimes just that is enough for people to see clearly what the right direction is. If you still have no clear path I will use some coaching tools to help you to understand yourself more and what you have to offer. In the end, you will have clear vision of your direction. One job or two-the choice is always yours to make. Call me at 781-598-0388 or email me at asparker@asparker.com.
