All the studies seem to indicate that people holding multiple jobs continue to be on the rise. For example, a recent study by LinkedIn unveiled that almost 1/3rd of all U.S. employees work a side hustle gig for extra money. With the current economic environment of taxes and inflation hitting workers hard in the wallet, this situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Working this second job, however, creates its own unique challenges for a job seeker who is looking to obtain new main employment for themselves. It used to be that most workers tended to keep their other job a secret when seeking full-time employment. The concern was that the main employer would think that you were not focused or committed to your primary employment like you should be. This mindset may also have been since those few that did have a second job, tended to do something that was “under the table” or “off the books.”
The work world has changed and much of the stigma has been lifted off of having a second job. In addition, side hustle type gigs have made the opportunity to supplement your income much easier, so more people are doing it. The question for job seekers, however, is whether to disclose your side hustle and, if so, how to go about doing it. Ultimately, you have to decide what is best for you and your job search, but let’s now make the case for both sides.
Potentially Keeping Side Hustle a Secret:
• Working for a Competitor – If you are working on the side for a competitor of your prospective new main employer, you may not want to go public with this unless you are prepared to give up this side hustle. Your main employer will likely not want you to work there and may even have a policy to prevent it.
• May Create a Conflict – If your side hustle is something where the hours may create a schedule conflict with your prospective main employment, then you will want to either not disclose it or make it truly clear that you will give it up if it becomes necessary.
• Side Hustle Is Not Flattering – While the stigma has been removed from virtually all second jobs, there may still be a few that may not place you in the best light. For example, if you are seeking a leadership position with a company, you may not want to highlight your side hustle working as a bouncer in an adult club.
• Concerning Reason For Doing It – You may be asked why you are working a side job. Your answer should be because you like to stay busy, or you are saving for something big. You don’t want to go down a path where you are explaining how you are massively in debt because of your previous gambling or drug habit, or you do it because you have no friends or personal life.
Positives to a Side Hustle:
• Shows Initiative and Work Ethic – If you have worked a full-time job and a side hustle, your initiative and work ethic basically speaks for itself. Stress how you like to stay busy, you are an ambitious person, and perhaps you are saving for something big like a house.
• Can Work Independently – If you work a side hustle doing driving or delivery, then you make a compelling case for your ability to self-motivate and to manage yourself. Working a second job like this requires that a person manages their time well and fulfills their commitments. Great character traits when considering hiring someone!
• Stayed Busy In Unemployment – If you worked your side hustle while unemployed from your main profession, then this action could prove quite appealing to a Hiring Manager. It shows that you wanted to keep working and stay busy during your time out. You didn’t want to settle for a complete gap in your employment.
• Willing To “Get Hands Dirty” – A concern sometimes for a Hiring Manager, is whether a person is willing to do the work required in a position, especially if they seem to be “overqualified” for the role. By working a side hustle and scrapping to make additional money, you show that you are willing to do what is needed.
• Goal Motivated – If you are working your side hustle for a particular goal, then it can clearly show how driven you are for success. This goal can be for a variety of distinct reasons, such as saving for a house down payment, paying down student loans, or saving for child’s education. It shows how mature you are in these financial matters, and how motivated you are to achieve your goals.
As the work world has evolved, more people than ever have legitimate second employment. While there may be some situations for keeping this extra employment a secret, in most circumstances it will be perfectly acceptable and may even be beneficial for you to declare its existence.
As always, best of luck in your job search.
The following has been prepared for the general information of WNYJobs readers. It is not meant to provide advice with respect to any specific legal or policy matter and should not be acted upon without verification by the reader.
Joe Stein
WNY Human Resources Professional
Feel free to contact Joe Stein regarding questions or comments at:
Joe Stein
