Can You Work Two Full-Time Jobs?

Working two full-time jobs used to be a virtual impossibility. Because the majority of workers performed their duties at a physical work site, holding down two jobs meant putting in at least 80 hours a week—tough to pull off, if you also need to commute, eat, sleep, and attend to any responsibilities outside of work.

But the world of work is changing. As more employers embrace telecommuting and full-time remote jobs, another trend has emerged: the full-time double-timer. For obvious reasons, it’s hard to come by accurate stats on just how many people are working two full-time jobs. But it’s safe to say that the practice is on the rise. So, can you—and should you—join them?

Here’s what you need to consider:

Are You Breaking the Rules?

If you have an employment contract or employee handbook, now’s the time to consult them. Many companies have rules in place to prohibit moonlighting (otherwise known as “working two jobs”). You’ll want to make sure you understand corporate policy, especially if you’ve signed a contract stating that you’ll adhere to it.

But even if your employer doesn’t specifically forbid moonlighting, you can still get in trouble for it. Look for contract language restricting your ability to work for competitors, use the company’s intellectual property for another organization, or similar.

What Are Your Other Responsibilities?

Even if you’re young and single and willing to put your hobbies and friendships on a shelf for a while, you have responsibilities outside of work. Can you take care of yourself and maintain your health and happiness if you hold two jobs?

Some people don’t need a lot of sleep. Others may be willing to multitask by eating at their desk or exercising while they work by incorporating a treadmill desk. But keep in mind that even those folks need some downtime eventually. Be honest with yourself about what you can handle.

What Are Your Goals?

Think about why you want to work two full-time jobs. Maybe you’re hoping to pay down debt, build up savings, get a head start on a second career. Whatever your reasons, it’s important to be clear about them. Knowing why you’re embarking on this experiment will help you define success in the short- and long-term.

What Is the Long-Term Plan?

And speaking of the long-term, know what that looks like. For most people, working 80-plus hours a week won’t work as a permanent career choice. Even if you love what you do, you are likely to want other things in your life besides work at some point. In fact, loving what you do may be the biggest reason to make the two-jobs lifestyle a short-term choice. In the long run, you might want to get promoted or start your own business or otherwise focus your professional life on a single track.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you’ve read this far and you’re having second thoughts, know that you don’t have to throw out your plans altogether. There are other ways to earn more money, gain experience, or try new professional paths without taking on a second full-time job:

• Freelance or contract work: Earn extra money while gaining valuable work experience…without committing to another 40-hour-per-week job.
• Education or internships: Train for a job that pays more and fits better with your personal and professional goals.
• Negotiate salary or find a new job: Earn more without doubling your workload by negotiating a raise or looking for a better paying role.

How Will You Make This Work?

Ready to add another full-time job to your schedule? Create a plan to make it work. Figure out how you’ll manage your workload, time, and interactions with two sets of bosses.

Remember that you won’t have a lot of energy to spare, so create a system that will work even when you’re tired or otherwise feeling unproductive. For example, you might try working on different laptops, especially if they’re supplied by your employers, so that you don’t accidentally message one boss about the other boss’s priorities.

Above all, be discreet. Even if you’ve approved your plan with both companies, you won’t want to emphasize your dual commitments. And should you decide to keep things under wraps, remember: a secret that involves two people isn’t a secret. Don’t tell any of your colleagues anything that you don’t want to get back to the rest of your team.

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7 High-Demand Careers That Value Military Skills

Finding a job can be hard for newly returned veterans adapting to civilian life. Describing military skills on a civilian resume can be a challenge. However, the attributes gained through military service are valued in many high-demand jobs today. From logistics to security, many careers are particularly good for service members transitioning from active duty to the private sector. Here are seven in-demand fields, along with tips on how to qualify for them:

1. Government and Contractor Jobs

Many military jobs actually transfer so well into government positions that you might not even feel like you’ve left the military – except, of course, for the change in clothes. A large percentage of these jobs are found in the Washington, D.C. region; however, a good number of them are also located throughout the country and/or overseas as well. Your skills will especially be sought after if you have held a security clearance while you were on active duty. Be sure to note this on your résumé to show that you’re “clearable.” Additionally, if you held one within the previous two years and your re-evaluation period hasn’t passed, your clearance can be reactivated.

2. Construction Supervisor / Heavy Equipment Operator

Military experience fits nicely with the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this industry is growing at a faster-than-average rate. Construction companies are always looking for managerial and specialized labor positions and, if you’re already qualified, getting hired should be no problem. Or, if you have experience but need certification in an area, such as heavy equipment operation, you can get qualified. Also, be sure and check out the Helmets to Hardhats website for vet-specific advice and resources.

3. Personal Trainer / Fitness Instructor

Being fit is an important part of military culture, and former service members are ideal for working as a personal trainer or fitness instructor. They understand what’s involved in maintaining a good fitness program because they’ve had to practice it in their everyday lives in order to pass regular physical fitness tests. As a military member, you know how to stay focused and dedicated to staying in shape. Both are great attributes to bring to the private sector. To qualify, you need experience and certification. If you want to make your résumé even more attractive – and potentially more lucrative – why not get CPR certified while you’re at it?

4. Cybersecurity

The demand for technology-related jobs is growing at an incredibly fast rate. The BLS predicts a 28 percent growth through 2026, and currently there is a shortage for skilled talent in the field. Former service members usually are highly sought after for these jobs.

Cybersecurity and related jobs are particularly sensitive; people in these jobs need to possess specific attributes that employers actively seek, such as discretion, attention to detail, and a willingness to follow procedural requirements to the letter – qualities usually found in the military community. Even if your job in the military wasn’t tech-centric, you can get certified as you work your way up. There are even some programs for veterans to help you get started, free of cost if you qualify. If you have a college degree, you can advance even faster in this hot industry.

5. Customer Service Representative

Just about every industry needs good customer service representatives. Essentially, these employees are the face of an organization, providing a customer’s first experience with the company. Former service members are often valued in these jobs because they have the innate skills needed: strong listening and excellent communication abilities, and an ability to effectively take action and provide solutions (i.e. handle complaints). Since all branches of the U.S. military emphasize these skills, vets are usually a good fit. To qualify, you’ll need a high school diploma and on-the-job training, along with some basic computing skills (and advanced skills are a huge plus).

6. Logistics and Operations Manager

In the age of Amazon, businesses are trying to get merchandise to customers faster than ever. Efficiency is crucial – and, as you know, the military is all about getting things done. According to GI Jobs, operations managers top the list of in-demand positions for vets in 2018. Titles may include: business manager, facilities manager, general manager, operations director, production manager, or plant supervisor, to name a few. To qualify, you’ll need leadership experience and a bachelor’s degree.

7. Aircraft Technicians

Despite the problems that major U.S. airlines are facing, industry experts say aviation jobs are still in high demand because equipment is getting “bigger, faster and more high-tech.” In-demand positions include power plant mechanics, air frame mechanics, and avionics technicians. You’ll need to have, at a minimum, 1,900 hours of class time and hands-on training. If you have this in your military experience, great! You may be eligible to take and pass the necessary certification test. However, even if not, you can pursue training in this industry by taking classes at an FAA-certified school to prepare for the test.

While it might not seem true on the surface, there are numerous different ways that military experience translates into the civilian world. Other hot fields that veterans can pursue include law enforcement, private security, disaster planning and preparation, and security systems.

Bonus Career Option

The solar industry is a high-growth industry with a strong job outlook. job EcoWatch’s The Veteran’s Guide to Solar Jobs provides information on programs and businesses that offer support for veterans interested in starting a career in the solar industry.

How to Get Career Help

The trick is finding ways to demonstrate to employers just how your military skills, knowledge, and experience translate to these most in-demand positions. If you’re having difficulty or aren’t sure where to start after separating from the military, here are some other steps and resources to help you.

• Use an online skills translator to help you create a resume that civilian employers will understand.
• Check to see if you qualify for education benefits for veterans.
• Explore degree programs where you can receive credit for military service; many schools offer this to former military members.
• Visit the Veterans Employment Center and GI Jobs websites to help you find resources that can help.

Moving from military to civilian life does come with its challenges, but if you know how to take your skills, brand yourself properly, showcase your skills on your resume and in job interviews, and show employers what you can do, it makes the transition a lot easier. The good news is that many more companies are actively seeking veterans and, once you find your niche, you will be a sought-out candidate for some of the country’s most in-demand jobs.

Brad Miller is a Marine Corps veteran who served two combat deployments in Afghanistan. He comes from a military family with a long tradition of service. He and his brother created The Military Guide as a “straight shooters handbook” to provide helpful resources to service men and women at every stage of their military careers – from those first timid steps into the recruiter’s office to walking proudly off base with a DD-214 as a newly minted veteran and beyond.

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5 Back-to-Basics Job Search Tips

Looking for a job right now? If so, you’re probably getting plenty of advice. From old friends and colleagues to experts on social media, there are plenty of folks out there who want to guide your search.

The problem is that even well-intentioned insights can be less than helpful if they don’t apply to your situation or goals. Further, you only have so much time to devote to a job search—without cloning yourself, you can’t possibly do everything everyone says you “should” be doing to get hired.

If this is your situation right now, take heart and tune out the noise. Going back to basics will help you get your job search back on track.

1. Assess Your Needs and Plan a Strategy

Are you looking for your dream job—or are you just trying to keep the lights on? Both things can be true, by the way, but before you start searching in earnest, it’s important to have a firm grasp of your short- and long-term goals.

To do that, you need to assess your needs. If you’re like many Americans, you don’t have much in the way of an emergency fund. So, if you’re job searching while unemployed, your top priority might be to find a way to make money, fast. Consider part-time jobs, freelance work, or temp jobs to pay the bills while you conduct your search.

Once you’ve determined your goals and filled those short-term needs, you can settle in for the long haul—and it’s important to accept that it might be a long haul. Surveys show that it can take several months to find a job. It’s not just you: this really is a long, tricky, time-consuming process. Plan to do a little each day, whether it’s pruning your resume, looking for job listings, or keeping in touch with networking contacts.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process. Job searching can be stressful, and it’s essential to incorporate self-care in your process.

2. Build a Resume You Can Tweak for Any Job

When was the last time you updated your resume? If it’s been over a year—or you’re actively job searching—it’s time for an edit. Make sure your resume is highlighting your most relevant experience and cut anything that’s outdated, including old jobs that no longer relate to your current career goals and lines like “references upon request.”

Starting from scratch? Use one of the many free resume templates available online to create a basic document, which you can then customize for each opportunity. And do customize it—a targeted resume is essential for a successful job search. Remember that hiring managers want to interview candidates who are interested in that specific job, not just any job.

3. Match Your Qualifications to the Job Description

Get out of the habit of skimming job postings. Instead, dig into the details provided to learn which of your qualifications will be most impressive to the hiring team. Look for keywords related to the skills, abilities, and experience required and then match your qualifications to the job in your resume, cover letter, and interviews.

4. Create a Targeted Cover Letter

In an era when job seekers in many industries have multiple social media profiles, online resumes, and portfolios, it might seem strange to labor over a cover letter. Doesn’t a cover letter just restate what your other documents, profiles, and sites already reveal?

Well, yes and no. It’s true that a hiring manager could probably figure out from your (well-organized, targeted) resume that you’re the perfect candidate for the job. But given that recruiters typically spend seconds reviewing a resume, there’s a good chance that they’d miss how awesome you are.

A targeted cover letter gives you a chance to tell that story yourself. Again, templates are your friend here, but you’ll need to customize your letter for each opportunity. Remember that even when job titles are similar, employers’ requirements will be different, even if subtly so.

5. Find Job Leads Quickly

When you’re looking for a job, time is of the essence. You simply don’t have hours to waste searching in the wrong places or talking to the wrong people. To maximize your job hunting time, look for job leads:

• On job search sites. Use the best job search sites, best job search engines, and niche sites to find job listings that are right for you. Search by keyword and location and sign up for email alerts based on your focus.
• Through social media. Social media can help you find job listings, build your professional network, and create a personal brand. It’s also an easy way to let your contacts know that you’re searching for work.
• Through friends and colleagues. Networking remains one of the best ways to find a job, with some experts estimating that as many as 85% of jobs are filled via referral. Best of all, networking can support other methods of finding job leads. For example, if you find a job listing that looks promising on LinkedIn, you might remember that you have a contact at the employer and ask them to put in the good word.
• At your college career services office. Many colleges offer free job search assistance to alumni for life. So even if you graduated long ago, it’s worth reaching out to your college career services office to see if they can hook you up with leads, resume help, interview coaching, and more.
• Via informational interviews. Via LinkedIn or your professional network, connect with hiring managers at employers where you’d love to work. Set up informational interviews to learn more about the company culture, potential job opportunities, and employee requirements. Note: These meetings typically do not lead directly to job openings, so don’t plan on targeting roles during your first conversations. However, they are a chance to build a relationship with folks on the inside and get an idea of how to present yourself as an ideal candidate.
• Through professional associations. Join industry groups and associations and gain a built-in support network of people in your field. Get advice from people who really understand your career and stay in the loop on emerging trends, opportunities, and resources.

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