My probation period is almost over, and I'm still toying with the idea of having a part-time job. I'm still working PT at the arena at home, but that will be ending for the summer, and I'm not sure if I'll be returning in the fall, since I can only work once or twice a month ... and I'm not really making money, since I end up breaking even with the cost of traveling just to get home.
So I'd like a job in Vancouver that will 1) allow me to be very flexible with my hours, and 2) where I don't need to really use my brain. Like a cashier job. At a grocery store. Something like that. Where I only have to work 1 or 2 shifts per week. And if it ends up being too much and I have to quit, it's not a big deal. I'd like to ideally be bringing in an extra $250/month. But if I worked two 5-hour shifts per week, at around $10/hr, I could potentially make as much as $400/month. All of which would go into my down payment account.
There is one grocery store that I pass every day on my way home from work. Would it really be a big deal to stop there for 4 or 5 hours after work, once or twice a week? I don't think so.
I already printed and filled out an application form ... now I just have to decide whether it's the right thing for me to do. I've always worked at least 2 jobs, so it seems natural for me to take on another job. I mean, what do I do after work? I come home, sit around, maybe go for a run ... hang out with J ... but what's the difference if I hang out in a store for an evening or two instead? I've been a cashier at really busy stores before, for many many years in college ... and when you get into "The Cashiering Zone" (cashiers, you know what I mean), you don't notice people. You don't even use your brain anymore. It's like you're not doing anything, as you ring people through. Not sure why, but it reminds me of zoning out on the couch watching TV, or just aimlessly surfing on the internet. Except it's at a store, and you're standing up, and you're probably also wearing some sort of uniform ... and also getting paid for it.
Which brings me to my question: how many of you who are working full-time ... how many of you also have part-time jobs?
Labels: job
No way. And my job is almost strictly 40 hrs a week. One of the reasons I like my field is because it gives me plenty of time to pursue hobbies and interests.
It isn't that I'm unwilling to put in the time--I usually am enrolled part time in grad classes (but this semester I took off), which take way more than 10 hrs a week.... It's just to me, $250 just isn't worth it. I'd rather spend my time on personal development (and I don't mean TV).
But, each to her own. I do know what you mean about cashiering. "did you find everything ok? Have a nice day!"
I don't currently have a part time job, but I do work full time and take 3 night classes weekly, so that more than fills up my time. If I weren't in school I might consider it though.
Chickinvic
(who can't seem to sign in with Google at the moment)
I work full time and study part time, so no part time jobs for me, I just couldn't face it!
I work a full-time job, but I take on extra assignmnets at work for different departments for extra cash. It's the best of both worlds. I can earn some extra cash and the taxes are already taken out because it's for my company.
Well, I am actually working 3 jobs, I am 21 in college so I can sort of do that, On weekday mornings I work in several schools ( a diff school a day) for about 2 hours . Then On weekends I am a waitress Fri-Sat-Sun. and On Thursdays I do a delivery route and some office work for someone. I ahve my classes early mornings at 7 am.
I've often worked P/T jobs in addition to my F/T job. Like your grocery store, the most recent one was on the way home from work, so I just went straight there. I worked there off and on, depending on what else was going on in my life.
Before my son was born, it was OK. It wasn't a ton of money, but it made me feel OK about going out to dinner, etc. And it was a really quiet shop so I read or studied when I was in grad school.
Once my son was born, it was impossible. Although I had asked to come back just 1-2 shifts a week, the owner over-scheduled me and it wasn't worth it. Now I'm done for good and it's a huge relief.
But in your shoes, I think it can be a great little supplement.
I'm sorta with stackingpennies on this one. I love the freedom of being able to pursue the things I love: volunteer work, marathon training/running, etc.
However, I'm also always looking for ways the things I love can make me money. I consider photography my part-time job, though I might only put 5 hours a month into it. To be fair, I don't make that much from it--so far about $1-2k per year--but I'd rather make less and have more time.
On the other hand, I've always admired people who are able to juggle more work.
Nope, but my husband has worked a part-time job alongside his full-time on and off since I met him.
This depends on what you want to get out of the P/T job. For me I wouldn't take a P/T job just for the money - they almost never pay well. Plus, that's why you have your F/T job. Once I leave my F/T job I consider that my time. So working as a cashier job wouldn't interest me. That said, I do work P/T as an ESL teacher. The pay is decent I suppose, but the allure of the job is that it's rewarding and makes me feel more fulfilled when I go home. Of course if you're simply looking to pad the bottom line that's a whole other issue. But from your post it just seems like you need a little more to fill your time.
I used to work 2 part-time jobs in college since my internship was only for 20-hours per week.
It was kinda sucky in the end b/c my internship paid so well ($17 an hour) and the on-campus job so little ($7 an hour).
While I loved the on campus job b/c I got to talk to similar techy people like me, when I filed my tax return I had to pay money from the lower income job since I was in a higher tax bracket. Quite discouraging for me. I only made $1,000 last year from that job too. So return dropped from $1300 to $800. I use that money to throw into my student loans to pay down interest.
You could always quit if you hate it. I always considered myself too busy to even consider taking another job...plus dirty looks I would get from co-workers if they saw me there.
Also...Have you tried DoMyStuff.com?
People outsource their work and you can make an offer on what you would charge. Seems like there would be lots of graphic design work to do!
i'm in the process of doing the same thing! thinking about getting a P/T job as i'm getting married this summer and every little bit helps :) i'm in a position to work my 40 hours then 2 shifts a weeks isn't too crazy. i would still get to yoga 3 times a week and the gym twice so if it fits in your schedule...it's $$$ in the end, is say :)
I'd tread carefully here--you don't want to get so busy earning money that you forget to have a life.
I'm guilty of this fairly frequently. I've also almost always worked more than one job, but recently I've found that I need to cut back and focus on building a career instead of staying busy and earning money. I work full time, work as an independent contractor part time (performing and mystery shopping)and go to grad school. Then for a while I was thinking about picking up weekend shifts at a coffeeshop I frequent. !!
Staying so busy that you can't focus on any one thing is dangerous--for your career, for your relationships, for your sanity. If you feel like you have too much time in the evenings, I concur with someone who suggested you freelance within your own industry--then you're gaining experience instead of just earning dollars standing on your feet. If you NEEDED the money (to get out of debt, to make the month without using credit cards) that would be one thing, but from my experience, it's untenable to do just because you're bored and want more money. (Plus financially, it never works out to be as good of a deal as it seems on paper.)
I'm a teacher by day, but I tutor 5 days a week before and after school. I'm also going to start teaching a student who is homebound within the next couple of weeks. I love the extra money and feel good about what I do, but I am exhausted all the time. Sometimes I wonder if the tradeoff is worth it.
I don't work a part time job, and while I've thought about it I really value my free time. One of the reasons I love my job is that I rarely work past 5:30, and never before 9. I wouldn't be against picking up something for the weekends, however that is the time I get to spend with my boyfriend since we don't see each other during the week. I can't give that up.
I've been doing the Two-Job Tango for eight months. I quit my part time cashiering gig as of March 30th because:
1) My body could no longer keep up with the physical demands,
2) I really missed having free time and not wearing my name on a string around my neck, and
3) After doing a little bit of math to figure out my 'True Hourly Wage'
(commute+hours worked)/gross wage
I found out I'd make about $1.20 MORE an hour if I quit my second gig, not to mention saving about $30-50 a month on gas.
But that was just me, your mileage may vary, offer not valid in Ohio.
Ahhh... I WISH I could have another PT job, but my FT one keeps me occupied quite a bit.
It's not all bad, we get to go to a lot of cool events, but it does suck up time. Between that and just getting daily things done, it doen't leave a lot of room for another job.
It would be cool if I could work in a bookstore or something on weekends. I wouldn't mind that.
I work a full time job and 2 part time jobs. My full time job is at a daycare and my 2 part time jobs are at a Hospital and at a grocery store (I work at these places in the evenings and EVERY weekend).
I'm not greedy, just saving for college so I won't have to take out ANY loans!!
Does freelancing count? I do that in addition to my ft job. I don't think I could stomach a part time job where I had to be somewhere at a certain time unless I *really* had to...my day job is enough of a commitment!
I really wouldn't recommend taking a P/T job with a F/T, especially at a grocery store. You simply can't zone out and not think about anything. True, the work is repetitive, but remember that you have to stay alert and on your feet most of the time. It is physically very demanding. Also, most grocery stores will not be v. flexible with your hours (as per my experience!) especially if you are new. You will get the worst shifts that no one wants, and you will just have to compromise.
And don't forget that you need 110% of your energy for your F/T work. Even if you are past your probation, you need to keep up, do a great job, and look for growth opportunities. You might be able to make an extra $300 per month with your part-time job, but if you lose focus / concentrate less on your full-time position because of it, you'd be losing a few thousands of dollars in growth / promotion / raises. So is it really worth it in the long run?
That being said, if there is something that you really want to do, and you'd like to take it up as a part-time position, go for it. Just make sure its flexible, not too tiring, and something that you truly enjoy. Like for me, I have always wanted to work at a library or a bookstore. Once I finish school and find a full-time employment, I might try to look for something like that. But that's me. I am a bookworm. I love books and I am very happy buried in them.
The same thing is true for freelance work in your area. It gives you more experience and definitely looks good on your resume.
Sorry for the really long comment! ;) A friend of mine is in the same situation and we were discussing the same thing over the phone just a few hours ago. And then I saw your post!
I currently have both a full time (40 hrs a week) and a part time (15-20 hrs a week). The part time job is one that i've held off and on for 5 years, so it's a no-brainer. At first I noticed a big reduction in my 'spare' time - but eventually I realized that my spare time consisted of my sitting around on my ass doing nothing. So, I figured that I might as well get out and DO something.
I think the thing that helps me the most get through it, is that my full time job is very low-key. I have time (and am allowed) to do all my internet stuff (blogging, banking, surfing, etc) while I'm at work, so that I don't have to make time to do it at home. If my full time job was very busy and stressful, I might find the second job a bit too much.
My best suggestion for a part time job, is to find one with perks. My part time job is at a Subway, and the perks I get is free food, free veggies and meat to take home, along with discounts on party subs and beverages. So, it's a plus to be able to bring home a sub and some spare veggies to offset my food costs. If the grocery store offers discounts, i'd say it's a great deal!
I don't know what the job situation is like in Vancouver, but in Calgary we're so desperate for workers that most places are pretty much letting their employees choose their shifts. That could work in your favor...
I don't have a part-time job. I already commute an hour each way to downtown so by the time I'm home I'm pooped. I even started going to the gym during lunchtime, so I can just go straight home after work because otherwise I'm too tired or lazy.
The only part-time job I would consider will be working in the ice rink, either as a public skate guard, pro shop cashier or at the front desk, renting skates out to people. I worked retail before and geez...NEVER EVER i always say ;)
I have a 40 hour per week job, and a 25 hour per week part time job.
I work at the YMCA part time working the front desk (writing from the YMCA right now!) I work for maybe an hour, then the rest of the night is just welcoming people and saying good night...and browsing the internet.
It's gotten to be a bit much lately, though, despite not doing anything here. I've become the person that has to take all the shifts that others can't work (which seems to happen all the time...), and I can't do it on top of my full time job and 2 hour daily commute. Sometimes it's just stressful to NOT be home, to NOT go to sleep at 8 pm if you're feeling that tired, to have to cram everything you need to do into one afternoon when all you want to do is nap and sit with your feet up.
So once they hire someone, I'll drop down to 12 hours a week or so, picking up an additional shift every once in a while.