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Multiple Jobs? How Would You Do It?
MikeDawg asks: "With so much uncertainty in the current job market for tech workers, and with varying financial situations; are you required (or want) to work a second job? I'm in one of those situations. I work as a bartender during the days and weekends, and I work as a mainframe operator during the night. Often browsing classified ads for positions, I see ads for jobs that pay a minimal amount more than my current tech job, and a possibility for less stability (see this Slashdot Article). Do you think it would be a better idea for someone to work two somewhat secure jobs, getting paid a little bit less, or going for a higher paying somewhat insecure job? I also run into varying conflicts such as scheduling if I would like to try and maintain two jobs, which is never fun (Don't even ask about how happy my girlfriend is). So my question to you out there, would you rather work 2 secure jobs, that pay a little bit less than what you could be making, or would you rather get paid a touch more, and work for 1 less secure employer?"
Don't even ask about how happy my girlfriend is.
Don't worry, it never crossed my mind.
This space intentionally left blank.
If you are looking at jobs that pay marginally more than what you are currently making, maybe you can ask for a raise.
Scope out how much you could get paid for your job and ask for it. You won't get a raise magically (employeers like to pay less) but if you present your case to them logically maybe, if you are worth it, they will give you what you need.
I would rather work for myself, have absolutely no stability between jobs - but rake in piles of money.
If you have the option: keep one stable job - but your 2nd should be something that is risky but with potential for serious personal wealth if you strike it rich.
Start a small business doing something that you have always loved. Lean on the stable job for a while, letting it support you until your "dream" job takes over and is obviously the one thing that you should be doing (although it may take a while to figure out how to become profitable). Your job will be as stable as you make it - and vastly more rewarding than bartending or babysitting somebody else's computer.
My suggestion to you is to remember that no amount of money or paycheck is worth your happiness. If working two jobs for the added security helps bring you to a higher level of satisfaction with yourself, then do it... because that time spent at your job is coming out of your life!
Some people require the security. Some people require the money to survive. Some people are trying to save up for a better day. Some people want the benefits that Starbucks offers because the lame staffing company won't give out benefits. If I were you, I'd check my motivation and reasons for holding down two jobs and determine how important your reasoning is in your life.
"Would you rather be right, or happy?"
So much depends on factors that you don't mention here:
- What is your financial position, do you have savings to tide you over if your insecure job goes tits up?
- Does the insecure job offer things like exposure to technologies that would make finding another job easier?
- Could you use the free time you get from the new job to look for an even better job?
You have to weigh all the factors.
Maybe you should see if you can eliminate some unnecessary expenses. I mean, in the last three months, I've managed to demonstrate to myself that I can cover all my bills and still eat at only half the pay rate of my last job. Were it not for the car payment, I'd actually be making more on unemployment than I'm spending.
Canthros
I have a very secure job that pays a little less.
I've got great benefits though, and that more than makes up for the lower salary.
Don't even have one job, you insensitive clod!
She sure seemed happy last night.. thanks for working late!
Do you have one? I would rate long-term prospects over job stability. No the two are not the same. A job can be beneficial to your development, even if it doesn't last very long, and vice versa.
I've worked two jobs and juggled a university-education on the side and thought it was worth it because I was getting something out of it. What I got (appart from my degree) was a massive mental and physical breakdown. I'm still a little traumatised by it.
Two jobs may bring you money and stability during times of uncertainty, but these may continue for a while! And in the end you will have to find something more substainable anyway. Why not do that now?
Use fg, ctrl-z, bg and jobs.
"When given the choice between making more money and staying where you are, consider everything you love about your current situation. Consider your co-workers, your friends, and everything that depends on you at your current job.
Then quit being such an idiot and take the money."
I pass this onto you, and all of Slashdot, in the hopes that you will find it useful.
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Hey, I know plenty of girls who would be delerious
to have a boyfriend with one job, leave alone two.
Why, with two jobs, you should be able to get at
least two girlfriends. Maybe twins. Not
that you have time for that.
-I like my women like I like my tea: green-
It depends.
Reasons to avoid this insecure job:
o the company has a bad business plan
o the company has a boss who knows nothing about his business
o the company is incredibly small
o the company is going through layoffs
o the company has problems shipping products
o the company often requires insanely long hours (i.e. cars are in the parking lot at all hours)
o you get paid in a delayed fashion (not weekly/bi-weekly)
o your contract isn't ironclad (even if it is, you could still have problems)
o your employer doesn't like design documents (bad if you're an independent contractor)
o you've got a family and kids
Reasons to take/keep a job:
o the job looks good on paper
o this experience could get you another job in the future
o the job pays considerably more
o flexible hours
o your work at this job directly effects your success
o your very happy at your job
o your job is fun
Frankly, we've got no details about the job. So, I couldn't tell you either way.
What do you mean my sig is repetitive? What do you mean my sig is repetitive? What do you mean....