Multiple Jobs? How Would You Do It? 55
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?"
Girlfriend? (Score:5, Funny)
Don't worry, it never crossed my mind.
time for a raise? (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Neither. (Score:4, Interesting)
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.
Re:Neither. (Score:4, Insightful)
Do things that will help you on the path to obtaining your dream job. Even if you don't end up at your dream job, chances are you'll find something close, or at least have the experience to start your own business in that field.
Re:Neither. (Score:1, Interesting)
For my part-time job I have started a company with another bloke developing Estate Agent Software. At the moment I am the one doing all the work, as he is a salesperson (and has all the knowledge and contacts), but as soon as the majority of the system is finished it is his turn to sell it.
It is already producing some money but not much at all.
Eventually we plan to go full time on this but only time will
Do what makes you happy (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:Do what makes you happy (Score:1)
IF ( girlfriend.likesToShop() ) THEN
{
girlfriend.Dump();
girlfriend.getNext();
}//end of IF 'girlfriend'
Other Variables (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:Other Variables (Score:2)
Financial situation is okay, I like my toys, and I like to buy new toys, and still stay above water, hence the second job.
Your second question there is actually some of the feedback I wanted to listen to, as I said, my main job, is a mainframe operator on a 1976 mainframe, no huge advances in technology there, but about all it gives me is more time to log as a "mainframe operator", which I might add is not a career option I'd like to see.
Your third question is also excellent, because, that is probably on
Re:Other Variables (Score:2, Interesting)
If being a mainframe operator is not a position that you want to stay in career-wise, you still might want to try moving up via the mainframe path. The step from operator to system programm
Re:Other Variables (Score:2)
Also re security, I think you have to ask yourself whether you
I wonder. (Score:4, Insightful)
Now that I have a family... (Score:4, Interesting)
I've got great benefits though, and that more than makes up for the lower salary.
Re:Now that I have a family... (Score:2)
Re:Now that I have a family... (Score:2)
How'd you guess?
I would go lesser stability if I can afford it (Score:2, Insightful)
Personally, I have been consulting [vivekkumar.net] for over 7 years and taking the risk defiantly paid of.
Re:I would go lesser stability if I can afford it (Score:2)
If you could afford it a single job with lesser stability
I find it interesting that jobs with "less stability" are typically the more interesting ones.
For that reason alone they're worth considering.
But consider, too, that for many people "less stability" means "about to be canned" where actually, "less stability" can often have a simultaneous meaning of "could hit it big".
I see an analogy with investing, here.
Everyone will tell you that for the long term, investing in equities, and smaller companies
Re:I would go lesser stability if I can afford it (Score:1)
Happiness above all. I like the startup environment. Other people hate it. I left a nice secure job for more money and instability. You have to like the prospect that making more means you might have a period of unemployment ahead. If you can live with that, do it. The stress is definitly higher but in my
Some of us... (Score:5, Funny)
girlfriend? (Score:4, Funny)
Handy (Score:3, Funny)
I'm sure your hand will survive, and may even be more useful with the added exercise of pulling pints.
Only for a good reason (Score:3, Insightful)
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?
Multiple Jobs? Just send one to the background (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Multiple Jobs? Just send one to the background (Score:1)
Make (More) Money Fast! (Score:5, Funny)
"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.
Re:quit the bartender job, spend time researching (Score:2)
Most employers are smart enough to understand that someone with an active drinking problem wouldn't last very long in a job behind the bar. I can see potential employers questioning the technical aptitude or professionalism of someone who works as a bartender, but not his sobriety.
Re:quit the bartender job, spend time researching (Score:2)
Any bar owner knows that bartenders steal and drink on the job, its part of the overhead.
Ugh (Score:2)
You sound like you're in the perfect position to do what I'd like, which is work one full-time tech job + consulting during the day. I say keep the mainframe opera
Girlfriends and Jobs (Score:4, Funny)
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.
That depends... (Score:2, Insightful)
a) Single, Debt free sitting on some enough coin that if you lose the insecure job you'd have some time to get another job.
or
b) Divorced with an alimony payment, credit card debit, a new girlfriend to buy shiny things for student loans and living pay check to paycheck collecting returns on bottles to buy ramen noodles.
Maybe you need to work the 2 jobs steady until you can payoff some debit bank some sweet coinage, then check out the insecure job market again.
The point is
There is no average. Do what's important to you. (Score:3, Insightful)
Depends on your point of view. I work full time. I go to school (at the non-friendly for working students school University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) 1/2 to full time depending on the semester. I maintain a seperate computer consulting business which breaks even each year (no real profit or loss - but there are other benefits). I maintain a home and family. I look forward to graduating and having a single job, and spending my time with my family and hobby of electronics.
I'm in one of those situations.
Which, you want to, or have to?
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?
At this point I choose security over better pay. however, neither of the choices you've provided are ideal. Keep in mind that if you take a less secure job that only requires 40 hour weeks then you'll have a lot more time for job searching and polishing your skill set than you'll ever have working for two jobs.
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?
Again, neither choice is good. It depends on the money and how you define 'secure'. The last several jobs I've had they realize very quickly how hard I work and how valuable I am. All of my employers, even those providing 'less secure' positions, have been unhappy to see me go. (I don't engage in bidding wars - when I decide to leave I leave. Bidding leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth)
So go for the job where you'll be happiest. If happiness comes from more security, less time, less money, and less flexibility, then stay in your comfort zone. If you can afford to take a risk (as a family man my risk level is low, but you may have much more space to move right now) then shoot for the stars. Show your stuff, and make yourself a valued employee.
As always, don't rely on someone else's opinion as to what you should do. Make a decision. Stick to the decision until, if ever, you decide it was a mistake. If it was a mistake then shift gears and correct your course. Don't ever think that you're stuck - there's always another direction to go in. You're only stuck if you say you are, etc, etc.
And don't use slashdot as a motivational resource - if you can't motivate yourself, then no one else will be able to motivate you when you most need it.
-Adam
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:1)
i'm curious, what benefits? do you mean that the business itself makes no profit even though you as an employee are still paid or that since you are the business, you end up spending about as much as you charge?
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:2)
It's just part of being a smart business owner.
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:1)
You must be able to demonstrate a "reasonable expectation of profit" to be able to deduct business expenses in respect of a home-based (or any other, I suppose) business. If you can''t, the government will classify your business as a hobby and it becomes non-deductable.
Several years in a row of "no pr
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:2)
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:2)
Re:There is no average. Do what's important to you (Score:2)
I'm climbing out of that hole, rather succesfully, but I'm still more interested in providing my customers with low cost systems than in producing a large profit. Some years I make a profit, some years I break even, a few years I'v
Multiple Jobs? How Would You Do It? (Score:2)
It depends. A checklist for your decision. (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Re:It depends. A checklist for your decision. (Score:2)
Then I step back and watch mys
So the only reason.... (Score:1)
I don't suppose you'll give the rest of us, with single jobs and free time, her phone number?
Outsource (Score:3, Funny)
I'd never do that myself, knowing how it hurts the US job market, but it is a tried and proven strategy for success.
Re:Outsource (Score:1)
Sometimes, it is just win-win, not win-lose.
What is the fallback? (Score:2, Interesting)
Round here, tech jobs are pretty specialised and don't come up all that often. If you lose your tech job, it may be months, or an enormous commute, before another comes up. But bartender jobs come up all the time. There is a high turnover, and a lot of places where the skills needeed are es
One job, of course (Score:1)
time vs. money vs. security vs. enjoyment (Score:3, Insightful)
Stability. (Score:2)
How Unsecure? (Score:2, Insightful)
I think you have to look at the whole thing in aggregate. How good is the local job market? How much more money does it pay? How bad do you want to work one job? If you are really that unsure take a portion "extra" money you earn and put it into a rainy day fund. If you are building a good (general) skill set and building a good network of friends/business
Multiple Jobs? (Score:1)