Taking another job is not what most people want to do in their free time. Sometimes, these situations arise out of necessity rather than a person’s wants.

It can be for multiple reasons such as needing more income, wanting more variety in your work, or wanting more job security.

While the pandemic has made holding multiple jobs even easier with remote options, some Canadians worked many jobs before more workplaces became remote. In 2018, almost 6% of Canadians worked two or more jobs.

When faced with the decision to take another job, how do people come up with their answer? With many factors to consider such as availability, location, and pay, the thought process can be overwhelming. To lay out the advantages and disadvantages of working multiple jobs, here are some points to consider:

Advantages of Taking Another Job

1. An Opportunity to Make More Money

It seems simple enough: the more jobs that you work, the more money that you make. Additionally, adding another job to your schedule ensures better job security. Not every job is reliable, and some people need constant income as time goes on.

2. An Opportunity to Try Something New

No fixed rule says that every job needs to be in the same field of work. A second job can be your chance to explore a new field. You can be a writer by day, and a truck driver by night. Not only does trying a new type of job expand your thinking, but you can also gain new skills. Superheroes are not the only people that can enjoy dual lives!

3. An Opportunity to Meet New People

Another job means another social circle. This is a chance to make new connections! Expanding your number of connections is a good chance to form important relationships. You never know when someone can make a good friend or a good future reference.

Disadvantages of Taking Another Job

1. Too Many Jobs, Too Little Time

During the 24 hours each day, there is only so much that someone can do. Ask yourself if the additional pay is worth working more hours. Depending on if your job is considered part-time (working less than 30 hours per week) or full-time (more than 30 hours per week), the added hours may be too much to handle.

2. The Risk of Burnout

Having so much work to do is not only time-consuming, but stressful. You risk burnout, an exhausting feeling, which is not only unhealthy but also poorly affects your job performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes burnout as something that evolves from work life, if not dealt with correctly. It is important to prevent burnout because it can happen multiple times. The continuous strain on your body is not good long-term.

3. Worse Quality of Work

Related to the risk of burnout, going from one job immediately to another is not so simple. If there are no breaks in between, the quality of the work you do is going to suffer. You could produce brilliant results at the first job, and horrible results at the second job, because you started with 50% of your energy. If you lack time, you could be stuck in a loop of making terrible work.

Tips for Handling Two Jobs

1. Try to Find a Job with Flexibility

More flexibility in a second job means that you have more time to plan a schedule. Remote jobs are some of the best options for flexibility. There is no travel time! You will have more time in between your two jobs, as well as potential time to yourself. Some remote jobs do not have fixed work hours, so you can still reasonably plan your own schedule.

2. Plan a Goal

Each job is a stepping stone to a goal. While it can be tough to handle two jobs sometimes, remember that it does not have to be like this forever. A goal helps keep your motivation in check. The excitement of inching closer and closer to the finish line motivates people to keep going.

3. Keep an Organized Schedule

If you take on multiple jobs, your personal schedule will become busier. To make sure that you keep track of everything, write down a schedule. Keeping a planner, writing down reminders in your phone, or keeping a desk calendar are just some ways to plan and visualize your schedule.

Sources:

Augustine, Avery. “How to Balance Multiple Jobs (and Your Personal Life, Too!).” The Muse, https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-balance-multiple-jobs-without-losing-your-mind. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

Buhl, Larry. “Moonlight: Pros and Cons of a Second Job.” Monster, https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/moonlighting-pros-and-cons-of-a-second-job-hot-jobs. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.

“Career Burnout.” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/career-burnout. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

Moore, Dene. “Worker Burnout Is Becoming Endemic and It’s Everyone’s Job to Treat It.” The Globe and Mail, 7 Feb. 2022, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/future-of-work/article-worker-burnout-is-becoming-endemic-and-its-everyones-job-to-treat-it/. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

Postmedia News. “1 Million Canadians Juggling Jobs, Working 50-Hour Weeks: StatsCan.” Toronto Sun, 30 Oct. 2019, https://torontosun.com/business/money-news/1-million-canadians-juggling-jobs-working-50-hour-weeks-statscan. Accessed 15 Apr. 2022.

“TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT IN B.C.” WorkBC, https://www.workbc.ca/jobs-careers/explore-careers/types-of-employment-in-bc.aspx. Accessed 17 Apr. 2022.