Should You Take on Another Job? The Pros and Cons of Working 2 Full-Time Jobs

There are many reasons one would consider working two full-time jobs: one, they could be handling extra responsibility, such as saving up for a wedding or being the breadwinner of their family, or even paying off education loans.

Working second jobs is not just for blue-collar workers; even working professionals — especially those who work remotely — can be in need of a supplementary income, leading people in various fields to add to their cash flow by moonlighting or taking on a second job.

While this seems like a scary idea, it is not at all uncommon: in fact, a report shows that 66% or more than half of Malaysians have taken on a second job to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living and economic challenges. Out of them, 77% say their second jobs dramatically improved their quality of life. Many people actually consider taking a second job to augment their income and achieve financial relief from this crunch.

Should You Work Two Jobs?

You have probably considered the idea of getting two full-time jobs. After all, the thought of earning two incomes can be attractive, especially if your aim is to achieve financial freedom sooner.

Plus, while having two salaries is an attractive factor, it’s not all about the money. Taking on a second job can also help you learn and pick up new skills. And while traditional companies used to be iffy about their employees having extra incomes on the side, many managers nowadays are more flexible — provided the employee is transparent about this additional job and is working in a field that does not conflict with the company’s interests.

Are you ready to have another income-generating activity or source of livelihood aside from your official primary job? A second job may look like a part-time gig you do on the side (or moonlighting) or something that you can do after work hours or during your spare time. Say, you work as a fully employed software engineer in one company and, on the side, design and develop websites for clients. Your second job may or may not be related to your main profession. It may also look like a part-time job at a physical location: say, for example, you work as a barista at a café in the morning and as a call centre agent at night.

Working Two Full-Time Jobs in Malaysia

Many Malaysians are now working two jobs, largely due to the rise of the gig economy. Freelancing only grew further due to the pandemic, with more freelance and independent workers filling in part-time, project-based, or on-call roles. Employees started leaving their 9-to-5 jobs or, at least, adding to their after-hours schedule and taking on one or more gig opportunities.

That said, a second job may also look exactly what it sounds like: a second full-time job. The rise of remote and flexible work has enabled people to pull off working two jobs, earning two full-time incomes simultaneously, and juggling various work responsibilities without sacrificing their productivity.

So what are the pros and cons of working two jobs? Before deciding to sign on to another role, here are some factors to consider first.

Pros of Working Two Jobs

You earn more money.

Simply put: you’re earning more. That’s the most obvious benefit of a second job, and the largest reason people still choose to take on extra work, especially given the rising costs. A second job is especially attractive to those who need to save money for something specific, such as paying off debt, paying for a house mortgage, or even funding a vacation.

Many people who also want to earn financial freedom — the ability to afford one’s dream life — earlier may also choose to take on a second job.

You have an additional layer of job security.

Do you feel your job security slipping away? It may have to do with the internal changes the organisation has made in recent months, and your role could be on the line. Many professionals look at second jobs because they feel they need to be more secure about their main job, so they look for another source of income while enjoying the salary and benefits of their primary employer while they can.

You may have more flexibility.

While this will highly depend on the nature of your second job, taking on another side income may offer you more flexibility than your usual 9-to-5 role. Taking on another job or career can also help you feel better about yourself, especially if you don’t like being tied down to one company.

Since a second job, such as part-time or freelance work, can have more flexible timings, you get to work around your primary role or obligations. This is especially attractive for those caring for children or elderly family members.

You learn new skills.

Taking on a second job can also be an opportunity for you to gain experience in a different field and develop new skills. This can be helpful for those considering a future career change, or even just someone who wants to broaden their skill set.

You expand your network.

Taking on a second job can help you expand your professional network. After all, you’re working with a new organisation (if not a new industry), which helps you further build connections and lead to new career opportunities.

Cons of Working Two Jobs

You may lose time and upset your work-life balance.

A second job comes with all the implications of having two jobs: it demands more time and responsibilities. Needless to say, your time and energy for other things will be affected.

Another downside to working two jobs is the challenge of time management. You will especially encounter this if your jobs have different schedules, requiring a huge amount of time and energy. Meanwhile, you may also face conflicting schedules for meetings. So, if you need to attend to other personal obligations, such as taking care of your family, you will need to make compromises.

You risk burnout.

Of course, two jobs, especially full-time ones, mean twice the mental and physical load. Having two jobs can be physically and mentally tiring, putting you at risk of burnout. People with two jobs are left feeling spent, having little time or energy to enjoy their family, friends, and hobbies. When constantly exhausted, you may develop stress, anxiety, and physical health problems.

You may encounter conflicts of interest.

Depending on the nature of your primary role, your second job could be completely unrelated to your first — or it can pose a conflict of interest. Even working with an indirect competitor can be a no-no for some organisations, so it’s best to check in with your HR manager first to avoid getting yourself into trouble.

You might put your performance at risk with your primary employer.

Some companies want you to dedicate all your time and energy to them. Even if you can attend to your tasks with no issue, some managers may demand a certain level of performance that can be challenging to maintain if you’re juggling two responsibilities.

Should Fresh Graduates Take on a Second Job?

With entry-level salaries, those who just graduated from university may be tempted to take a second job to boost their income and attain financial security sooner. This can be tricky, especially when you’re new to the role and you’re still getting the hang of what is required from you. So, here are some things to consider:

• Are you comfortable enough in your primary job that you understand the skills needed from you to perform?
• Is this second job something you already do well and excel in (e.g., photography, cooking)?
• Do you believe you already have the skills required in both jobs to juggle them responsibly?

How to Make Second Jobs work

If you are considering a second job, here are some tips to consider.

• Pick a field unrelated to your primary one. While you certainly can choose related industries, working in an unrelated field reduces your risk of burnout or conflicts of interest with your employer.
• Check your HR policies. Some companies will have moonlighting policies. Others may not have rules, but most are strict about working with others. It’s best to keep yourself informed.
• Know why you want a second job. While having two jobs can be rewarding, it may also mean adjusting your entire schedule and life dynamic. If you’re certain that having two jobs can help you meet a particular goal, then it could be a good decision.

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