How To Get a Second Job (With Tips and Job Info)

Updated 4 June 2023

Finding a second job is an excellent way to earn an extra income and learn some new skills along the way. Additionally, a second job can open up a lot of possibilities for career changes in the future. Knowing what to look for requires careful planning, especially if your second job isn't similar to your primary occupation. In this article, we explain how to get a second job, look at various opportunities that may be suitable for you and provide tips on how you can obtain a secondary role.

How to get a second job

It can be difficult finding a second job that suits your needs and provides you with additional income. Here are four tips on how to get a second job you can follow that might help:

1. Decide what hours you can work

To find the right second job, you need to take a look at how much free time you have available to work. You may want to assess your current schedule and decide when you could feasibly work your second job. This means you might only be available on weekends or during the evenings, so ensure that the job you're applying for is the right fit for you.

2. Create your own second job with a side gig

If you're struggling to find the right type of work for a second job, then you can always create your own. There are many jobs that you can start off with little help or financial investment, such as landscape design, copywriting or painting. All you need to do is think about your own skills and how you can apply them to a model that brings in extra income.

3. Talk directly to potential employers

Speak to possible employers about your situation and let them know you're looking for some extra work. Employers may be able to create a role specifically for you if you start a dialogue with them and show what you can do for them. In other cases, they might know of someone looking to hire, so make sure you speak with employers while looking for a second job.

4. Use your existing network to find a second job

Word of mouth is still a useful tool and can go a long way to securing a second job. Speak with family, friends and colleagues to see if they know of any upcoming opportunities. You can even take this a step further and start connecting with people in your industry in professional networking websites and other social media platforms.

Be sure to enquire about any positions available and try to track down possible second job options. Even if you've never networked before, you can get started quickly and easily online. Try to connect with industry experts or professionals in your desired sector as this opens up your network to more people. While some might message you first, make sure to drop them a message and introduce yourself. Being honest and telling them about your position is often the best way to see if they can help.

Related: Networking Tips for Jobseekers

Roles that work well as a second job

Using a second job to boost your income and learn some new skills is becoming increasingly common, especially among millennials. The key to making it work is to find a second job that you enjoy and offers a good financial incentive. Here are a few ideas of jobs you can do:

1. Courier

National average salary:£10,809 per year Primary duties: Working as a courier is quite similar to working as a taxi driver, except you're delivering food and parcels instead. This sector has grown quickly in the past few years, which means picking up a second job as a courier can be very easy. Many companies actively hire new couriers, so you may want to look into them if you're interested in this role.

To prepare yourself for this type of work, you typically need to have a full driving licence and a clean record. There are often benefits associated with courier work, such as repayment for petrol used, staff discounts and in some cases, access to a company vehicle. Although it's a great second job, there are some physical factors to consider. Some couriers are expected to deliver large, heavy boxes, which can be a taxing process.

2. Pet sitter

National average salary: £27,606 per year Primary duties: If you're an animal lover, pet sitting is an extremely rewarding second job that can offer a good rate of pay. With responsibilities such as pet walking, playing with animals and feeding them, this is an enjoyable option as a second job for many people. However, there may be difficult pets to deal with, so those who want to be a pet sitter should be experienced and comfortable with handling animals with different types of temperaments. There are a few different ways to work as a pet sitter, from freelancing to sourcing clients through one of the many pet sitting apps available. There are very few barriers to entry for this type of work, as it often depends on the client's needs and preferences.

3. Virtual assistant

National average salary: £29,681 per year Primary duties: As a virtual assistant, you may need to respond to emails and phone calls, schedule meetings, book travel and accommodations, manage a contact list, prepare customer spreadsheets and keep online records and organise managers' calendars. You may also be asked to perform market research, create presentations, address employees administrative queries and provide customer service. You might need to have proficiencies in a number of areas including customer management, scheduling, email and IT proficiency. A good understanding of the more common social media networks is beneficial too.

If you're looking for a role that is suitable as a second job while working from home, virtual assistants have become increasingly common in recent times. Working as a virtual assistant provides an excellent opportunity for additional income as a second job due to the flexible working schedule offered. You don't need to go into the office and you can normally work evenings and weekends. Working as a virtual assistant can open up the possibility for other career opportunities down the line, such as IT support or customer relations.

4. Taxi driver or private hire driver

National average salary: £30,058 per year Primary duties: in this job, you pick up and drop off passengers in your own vehicle, acting as a shuttle service. This can be within your local area or travelling further away, for example, to airports. Taxi driving is often associated with second jobs, as it allows for a lot of flexibility in terms of how, where and when you work. This is perfect if you already have a full-time job that isn't flexible, as you can pick up the odd shift as and when you need to. The work can be quite rewarding if you're a social person.

There are lots of different companies offering their services these days, so you may want to take a look at the competition to see who suits your situation the best. Companies like Lyft, Uber or even a local private hire taxi firm are all viable options to consider as a second job. The only things you typically need to get started are a car, a driving licence and a smartphone.

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Why might someone look for a second job?

There are many reasons why a second job may suit your lifestyle at the moment, from transitioning careers to earning some extra money. If you've found yourself living too close to your means, a second job is an excellent way to reinvigorate your finances.

For those looking for a change of direction in their career, a second job may also allow you to gain experience before committing to the change. This can be an excellent strategy for finding a suitable career that you enjoy and while, at the same time, receiving a good amount of secondary income.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries‌ ‌may‌ ‌‌vary‌‌ ‌depending‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌hiring‌ ‌organisation‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌candidate's‌ ‌experience,‌ ‌academic‌ background‌ ‌and‌ ‌location.‌

How To Get a Second Job (With Tips and Job Info)