There’s no doubt about it: The gig economy is on the rise. The number of independent contractors has increased by about 27 percent more than payroll employees over the past 20 years, according to CNBC and The Brookings Institution. We can only expect this trend to grow as new generations enter the workforce: 49 percent of millennials and 44 percent of the upcoming Generation Z desire to own their own business, according to a recent Monster survey.
And whether their own business is a full-time occupation or simply a side job to a main gig, there’s a fine art to mastering all of the juggling involved.
[See: 10 Reasons to Quit Your Job Already.]
No matter what your motivation for joining the gig economy, there are several ways to not only create a successful side hustle, but also to transform it into your next fruitful career path or to use it to bolster your skill set for future roles. At the same time, you need to be conscious of its potential impact on your full-time role — and your life in general. Here’s how you can ace your side job without getting fired or stretching yourself too thin.
Set boundaries. So, let’s say you want to earn some cash on the side by working in retail. Maybe you want to build a web business, create an Etsy shop or apply for a part-time dog walking service.
Prior to speaking with a prospective client or employer, decide what your schedule looks like. What are your full-time hours and when will you accomplish the additional work? Set boundaries such as, “I can be on call in the evenings after 7 p.m., but from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., I am out of pocket due to other responsibilities. If an emergency arises, however, you can text me — just know I may not see it or be able to take action right away.”
That way both parties will be very clear as to your time constraints and focus. Get organized on your end first and then talk it through with your prospective gig.
Talk to your boss. If you’re currently working at a full-time job, be sure to check the human resources policy on moonlighting. For instance, you may not be able to perform paid services that conflict with the interests of your company. Fair enough.
And in the age of transparency, you may also want to have a conversation with your boss. Just remember: As long as your side gig follows the rules of your company’s HR policy, it’s less of a conversation to get their permission and more of a matter-of-fact statement to keep them informed.
[See: The 6 Best Jobs for Work-Life Balance.]
By mentioning up front that you will never compromise your employer’s time and that you’re 100 percent dedicated to them during the working hours they’re paying you for, you give them peace of mind.
Learn to compartmentalize. As you launch a side project or build an app or bartend at night, learn to keep that side hustle separate. Not only does that mean creating strict boundaries for your work schedule and adhering to them, but also factoring in the basics like sleep and nutrition so that you don’t stretch yourself too thin. If you’re bartending until 3 a.m. four nights a week, that’s not really fair to your health or to your full-time employer.
Similar to performance reviews with your boss, sit down with yourself on a regular basis to evaluate your time and resources. Is the side hustle serving its purpose? How is it impacting other areas of your life, like your health and the energy you have for your full-time job? These factors are just as important to consider as the extra money you’re making.
[See: 7 Companies With Perks That Will Totally Make You Jealous.]
Evaluate your next job move. Whenever we work, we’re developing a muscle. And when you’re developing your muscle for the side job, you can also gain strength in areas like handling difficult clients, managing time and resources, training others and more.
For instance, as a freelance writer, you can learn how to succinctly pitch ideas to editors, and that skill set translates well if you work your way up into management. A weekend sales job at a clothing store can teach you how to work on your communication skills with customers and learn about the retail industry.
You never know when your skills, as well as relationships developed, while working a side hustle can turn into a new full-time job or serve as talking points during a job interview. Tell anecdotes about part-time roles that demonstrate your various interests and communicate your focus and dedication. Employers will likely see these skill sets and passion as assets when you’re looking for your next job.
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How to Ace a Side Hustle While Working Full Time originally appeared on usnews.com
