Chicago: Are job seekers are actively considering a side job to earn a little extra money? Workers’ turn to side gigs has become a new trend? According to a new CareerBuilder survey, 29 percent of workers in the USA have a side hustle, a trend that is especially strong among the millennial demographic. Forty-four percent of those ages 25-34 and 39 percent of those 18-24 have a side gig, compared to 29 percent of those 35-44, 22 percent of those 45-54 and 19 percent of those ages 55 and older.
Workers of all income levels are taking on side work. Nearly 1 in 5 workers making more than $75k (18 percent) and 12 percent of those making more than $100k currently have a gig outside of their full time job. This is compared to a third of workers making below $50k (34 percent) and 34 percent earning below $35k.
Broken down by industry, leisure and hospitality (34 percent), retail (33 percent) and transportation (32 percent) workers are most likely to have a side gig, followed by:
Health care: 30 percent
Sales: 30 percent
IT: 27 percent
Financial services: 24 percent
Manufacturing: 19 percent
More than 3,200 workers in the private sector across industries and company sizes participated in the nationwide survey, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder from May 11 to June 7, 2016.
“Side hustles not only provide financial benefits to workers, but they make them more attractive candidates to employers, especially in a competitive job market,” said Rosemary Haefner, Chief Human Resources Officer at CareerBuilder. “When you’re applying to jobs, especially when you’re at the start of your career, other applicants could have more experience in your particular field. If you bring more skill sets to the table and have a unique perspective on how things can be done, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd and be seen as a valuable potential hire.”
Below are the types of side hustles workers are most often doing in addition to their regular work hours:
Survey taker
Childcare
Consultant
Freelance writer
House sitter
Blogger
Bartender
Photographer/videographer
Website designer
Tutor
Some workers cited more unique side gigs:
Mystery shopper
BBQ contest official
Firewood processor
Trailer checker
Tattoo apprentice
The survey mentioned that overall, workers who have a side hustle are more passionate about their day jobs (39 percent) than their side hustles (36 percent). A smart entrepreneur — one who follows the rules at work and gets their job done while still building a side business — is a big asset to their company. Haefner recommends workers pursue opportunities outside office hours because as entrepreneurs, employees are: Gaining skills off the clock: Building your own business in your spare time gives you real-world experience you can add to your resume and bring to your next job interview. There’s no better way to learn than hands-on.
The survey revealed that side gigs offer win-a-win opportunity for both employees and employers in the USA. Employers are looking for innovative, proactive team members and self-starters to achieve organizational results. These characteristics best describe an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurial employees thrive when handed something to create. At its core, entrepreneurship is about creating something — taking ideas and making them come to life. Some employers have policies that address engaging in business endeavors that could potentially conflict with the employer’s business. If you’re considering a side hustle, check with your employer’s policies before you spend time and money seriously pursuing your interests.
