Go moonlightingBy Robbie
Woliver • Bankrate.com
Looking for a little extra cash?
Bored with your day job? Try a little moonlight.
Moonlighting is the term used to describe the
process of holding down a second job, usually during hours after
the primary job is completed. But now, thanks to the Internet, a
moonlighting job can occur almost any time, even concurrent with
a primary job. According to a Department
of Labor survey about 6.8 million people held more than one
job in August 2002.
A way
to change direction
There are many reasons why people moonlight:
Work-week restrictions keep workers from expanding their earnings
at their primary job; moonlighting might help improve chances for
building credentials; or the moonlighting job might be a pleasurable
diversion, like a musician performing in a band at night while working
in an office by day.
But the No. 1 reason for moonlighting is financial,
says Susan Mitchel, the author of American
Attitudes. The worker's income from his primary job is insufficient
to pay the bills, or the worker's lifestyle is higher than the primary
job allows that worker to afford.
"They theoretically can live on that income,
but they live well beyond their means. That's the trend," she
says.
While people once moonlighted to simply support
themselves, today there are those who take on extra work to buy
a vacation home or perhaps buy a new car.
If
you are considering supplementing your income, Mitchell has some suggestions.
1. Seek
work employing new technologies.
Try to find
work where you primarily rely on the Internet or your computer. This situation
lets you work at home, which makes having a second job easier on everyone.
2. Be realistic.
Assess, realistically, the amount of time involved in the moonlighting position
and what you have to give up to do that work. Be clear in terms of how much time
it will leave you with your family. If you don't go into it with that knowledge,
Mitchell warns, you'll be setting yourself up for failure. Make arrangements for
chores to be done for you, and don't forget: you need down time to rest and restore
yourself.
3. Break into
another profession.
You might have to get some
training as if you were seeking another job, but it will open up the job market
for you for future advancement instead of stuffing envelopes. Educate yourself.
4. Start off
working for free.
To break into a new field,
use a very short-term position as a test. You might find you do not want to invest
time in it. If you are thinking about becoming a lawyer, you might want to work
for free for a short period at a law firm before making the plunge. Later, it
could be too late and be time and money not well spent. 5.
Have a goal.
Have
clear financial and personal goals for the extra money you will be earning. Use
the moonlighting job to save up to buy a new car or to move yourself up professionally.
6. Find work related to your own.
If you are not seeking out a completely new line of employment, stick to what
you know. For example, a moonlighting cop might want to consider a nighttime security
job at a local store.
| 
