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In today’s economy, working two full time jobs has become an increasingly common situation for many people. With stagnant wages and the high cost of living, holding down an extra job can provide that little bit of extra income to cover expenses. However, working 80+ hours per week is no easy feat. It requires careful planning and preparation to make it work. In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about successfully working two full time jobs.
Why People Work Two Full Time Jobs
There are a few key reasons why someone may take on extra work
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To pay off debt – Credit card, medical, or student loan debts can be overwhelming. A second income allows people to pay off debts faster.
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To save up – Working two jobs enables faster savings for big expenses like a house, car, or education.
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To afford cost of living – For some, one full time job simply doesn’t pay enough to cover basic living expenses. A second income helps make ends meet.
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To pursue dreams – Some people work two jobs to save up for starting a business, switching careers, or going back to school. The extra income funds these big life goals.
The Pros of Working Two Full Time Jobs
While tiring, working two full time jobs does come with some nice advantages:
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More money – The most obvious pro is the bump in income. Even after taxes, that second paycheck can provide a nice boost.
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Health insurance options – You may get coverage with either job. Having two plans to choose from gives you flexibility.
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Paid time off options – Again, you get choices. Need a long break? Take vacation at one job. A day off? Call out from the other.
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A backup plan – If you lose one job, you’ve still got the other to fall back on while job hunting.
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Skill development – Different jobs build different skills! Working in two fields makes you more well-rounded.
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A faster track to goals – As mentioned, extra income lets you pay off debts, save up, or pursue dreams quicker.
The Cons of Working Two Full Time Jobs
Of course, double work weeks also come with downsides:
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Exhaustion – Little free time plus long work hours equal burnout. Mental and physical exhaustion are common.
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Lack of sleep – Late and early shifts lead to disrupted sleep, making exhaustion worse. It’s tough to function well tired.
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**Never being “off” **- With two jobs, your free time is limited. It can feel like you’re “on” 24/7.
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Tough scheduling – Juggling two job schedules and getting time off approved is challenging.
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Less life balance – Any semblance of work-life balance usually disappears. Social and family life takes a hit.
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Decreased productivity – Being overworked leaves less energy to produce great work. Job performance can suffer.
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Stress and anxiety – Being overextended frequently leads to high stress. This impacts mental and physical health.
Making It Work: Tips for Working Two Full Time Jobs
If you plan to take on two jobs, utilize these tips to make the ride a bit smoother:
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See if remote work is possible – Eliminating commute times helps a ton. Ask if one or both jobs could be done from home.
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Ensure different schedules – Make sure job schedules don’t overlap. Working both jobs 40 hours weekly is ideal.
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Maximize sleep – Don’t skimp on sleep, as exhaustion is sure to follow. Maintain proper sleep hygiene.
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**Schedule wisely **- Cluster similar shifts, like two early mornings followed by two late nights. Allow for breaks in between.
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Request longer weekends – Having 2-3 consecutive days off helps recharge. Ask both jobs for weekend-heavy schedules.
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Take time off – Utilize sick and vacation days for much needed breaks. Don’t leave paid time off unused.
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Have a hard “out” time – Set a time in the evening you absolutely leave work, no exceptions. Protect personal time.
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Meal prep – Cook large batches of easy grab-and-go foods on days off. Healthy eating keeps energy levels up.
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Create morning and night routines – Establish efficient daily habits for getting ready and unwinding quickly.
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Make health a priority – Don’t neglect checkups and screenings. Stay on top of medications and health needs.
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Save aggressively – Maximizing savings via retirement accounts or high yield accounts takes advantage of the extra income.
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Know when to stop – If exhaustion, anxiety, or declining performance becomes too much, drop back to one job.
Is Working 80+ Hours Per Week Legal?
A common question is whether working two full time salaried jobs totalling over 80 hours weekly is legal. The answer is complex. Simply holding two jobs is legal in itself. However, certain rules apply:
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Some employment contracts prohibit moonlighting or holding another job. Read all contracts thoroughly.
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Hourly employees typically must be paid OT (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a week. Salaried employees are exempt from this if they meet job duty criteria. Some states like CA have stricter rules.
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Make sure you comply with payroll tax and income tax rules. Failing to do so can get both you and employers in IRS trouble. Consult a tax pro if unsure.
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Certain locations have laws around “off-duty conduct” that may provide exceptions for firing someone over a second job. Know your state and local laws.
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At-will employment means you can be let go anytime for any reason (except protected class discrimination). Some bosses may terminate employees they discover are secretly working two full time jobs. Tread carefully.
The legality issues are complex. Make sure you fully understand relevant laws and employer contracts before diving in. Also evaluate if the rewards outweigh the immense effort.
Deciding if Working 80+ Hours Weekly Is Worth It
Before committing to two full time positions, take time to seriously evaluate if it’s the right choice. Consider:
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Why do you need a second job? Determine if there are alternate steps you could take first to improve finances. Could you get by with some lifestyle changes?
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Is this short term or long term? Working 80+ hours isn’t sustainable forever. Set a timeline or financial goal for dropping back to one job.
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What will you sacrifice? Know that hobbies, socializing, self-care and more will take a hit. Are you ok with that? How will it impact mental health?
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How will performance suffer? Will exhaustion cause declining performance? Could that put jobs at risk long term?
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Are other options available? Explore lower-commitment ways to supplement income, like part time work, freelancing, or monetizing a hobby.
Working two full time jobs is doable. However, consider whether added stress and loss of personal time are worth trading for extra income. There are always alternatives to explore first.
Final Thoughts
Taking on two full time jobs certainly is not for the faint of heart. It requires near superhuman levels of discipline, organization, and endurance. However, doing so temporarily allows people to power through goals like debt repayment, dream chasing, and saving up for major expenses.
Those considering dual employment should carefully weigh the pros and cons and create plans for mitigating the substantial downsides. Pay close attention to legal and contractual obligations as well to avoid trouble. Work smarter, not only harder. With the right preparations, it is possible to successfully work two jobs—just know it’s not easy!
Working Two Remote Jobs Seasonally For 3-6 Months
For those considering working two jobs in short stints between jobs, you should be fine. There’s a small unknown risk of how your next employer would perceive your hustle – assuming you had to list both employers on your resume or else there would be too much of a gap. The good news is there are many explanations, like being a leave of absence for education or military service. For all we know, you could be on an extended severance package that kept you on the payroll. The list of excuses is endless. If pressed, you can tell the truth – you wanted to tie up some loose ends at the old job before resigning, and there wasn’t any conflict of interests. In the end, I don’t think your next employer would care, not unless you were aiming higher up in the career ladder close to the C-suite.
Are You Still Reading? You’re Ready To Work Two Remote Jobs At Once
It’s OK that these questions are flying through your head. Start planning. Ask the community.
Let me be upfront. Everyone’s situation and risk tolerance are different. For those tired of working under the yoke of layoffs and promises of promotions, the two-job hustle is for you. Having two jobs gives you the income security to take risks and achieve the outcomes you desire. In many ways, Overemployed is a counterculture movement and American Dream, except now globally available and accessible.
In addition to the added financial security, having two jobs will sharpen your technical and professional acumen, making you more valuable in the gig economy later on. All of this is to say, the pros outweigh the cons, especially for inexperienced and mid-career professionals. What’s the worst that could happen? Ok, so you get fired and need to look for another job. Oh wait, you’re already a pro at landing remote jobs!
Is Working Two Jobs Worth It?
Should you work two full-time jobs?
While working two full-time jobs can result in a much higher income, it will significantly affect your career and personal life. Take time to consider the pros and cons of adding on a second job. Then, analyze if you can better meet your financial goals by taking on a more manageable side hustle, a part-time job, or starting a freelance business.
Can you have two jobs at the same time?
It takes focus, but you can have two jobs at the same time. In August 2022, approximately 440,000 Americans held at least two full-time jobs and almost 8 million worked a combination of full- and part-time positions. That’s a lot of people who’ve learned how to balance two jobs — and you can too. But taking a second job isn’t a small commitment.
Can you balance two full-time jobs?
Balancing the tasks of two jobs can be overwhelming. Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty Images An email-marketing specialist worked two full-time jobs between 2021 and 2022. She said that she never felt burned out but that she could maintain the dual roles only temporarily.
Can I get a second job if I have a full-time job?
If you already have a full-time job and want to take on a second one, check your current employment contract or talk to human resources so you have a clear understanding of a company’s expectations. Some contracts contain language, such as a non-compete clause, that prohibits you from working a second job.
