Employment on the double
Two jobs may be better than one, Melanie Burgess reports
Workers are chasing career fulfilment and a boost to their bank accounts by taking on a second job.
WORKERS are chasing career fulfilment and a boost to their bank accounts by taking on a second job. The nbn’s Side Hustle Report reveals the most popular second jobs for Australians are reviewing services or products (22 per cent), photography (21 per cent) and food or drink-re- lated jobs (20 per cent). Women skew towards fashion (17 per cent of females, 5 per cent of males) while men prefer tech-related side jobs (24 per cent of males, 7 per cent of females).
The School of Life faculty leader Christian Stenta says Australians are obsessed with finding fulfilment outside of work.
“Fortunately we’re not limited to our day job to feel challenged and fulfilled in life, with access to fast broadband providing a platform for us to ... make some extra cash on the side,” he says.
The report reveals 76 per cent of Australians would like a side job for the chance to learn new skills while others would take one to give their life further meaning (69 per cent), to be their own boss (65 per cent) or because they are sick of their work routine (56 per cent). Others may pursue a side job to boost their income because of underemployment.
Latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the national underemployment rate – people wanting to work more hours than they are offered – is about 8.3 per cent, up from 7.3 per cent five years ago and 6.4 per cent 10 years ago.
SEEK data reveals there is a market for work on the side as casual and vacation job ads increased 19 per cent this year, compared to 5 per cent for new full-time job ads.
Hays Queensland managing director Darren Buchanan says although he has noticed underemployment, a lot of people take a second job or start a side business by choice.
“The attitude towards a job for life changed a long time ago,” he says. “Someone who has had children (might) work part time and the rest of the time run a business from home.”
He says there are also benefits to working temporary and contract roles such as being able to take travel breaks. “You can meet new contacts, make networks and improve your skill set because you are working with different organisations, different systems, different work styles,” he says.