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Are you a crafty person, a talented photographer, or someone who loves pets? If you have a professional skill or passion, you may want to consider launching a side gig. Side gigs, or side jobs, are commonplace for many of today’s workers. In fact, according to The Millennial Survey 2014 by Deloitte, 70% of Millennials – those ages 18-34 – want to start their own business. And, in a recent Movin’ On Up poll, 46% of respondents said they’d like to own a business but didn’t know where to begin. Whether it’s hosting a show at a local comedy club, operating a lawn mowing business, or selling handmade products, second jobs can be beneficial in many ways. So, here are five reasons why starting a side gig might be right for you.

Supplement Your Income
It can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re unemployed and looking for a job, to make ends meet every month. Starting a side job can bring in extra income and offer new ways to make money. If you have a knack for knitting, painting, or crafting, for example, opening an Etsy site may help you earn additional income selling products you already enjoy making. Or, if you like pets, offering your services as a dog walker or pet sitter can also bring in additional income.

Good for Your Resume
Any time you can add experience to your resume, you should. And, when you add phrases like “Owned and operated a childcare business,” or “Tutored students in English,” potential employers will notice your drive, independence, and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not always easy to run your own side job, and hiring managers will likely recognize the effort you put into your business as well as your flexibility.

Impress Your Boss
A side job can also impress your current employer. According to Kimberly Palmer, author of The Economy of You, “What I found is that increasingly, employers welcome and even encourage their employees’ side-gigs … they see their employees learning new skills, including valuable entrepreneurial, e-commerce, marketing, and social media skills, on their own time, and then bringing those abilities back to their main employer.”

But, if you’re currently employed, don’t let a side job get in the way of work. While your side job might be exciting, don’t ignore your primary job. And, don’t use your employer’s time or resources to work on your side gig. Follow your company’s guidelines for outside activities and remain respectful to your employer.

Creative Expression and Gratification
The initial motivation for starting a side job is often money. But, it may become something more as you realize the things you’re making or doing are allowing you the freedom of creative expression. If you’re a talented photographer, consider opening your own business. Start by offering your friends free or discounted photography sessions to build your portfolio, and soon you’ll enjoy the personal and financial rewards your new side business brings.

And, when your services or products help improve the lives of others, your side job may become a very gratifying part of your life. If you love teaching, find a subject you’re particularly knowledgeable in and help others learn it. For example, if you’re really good at a foreign language, you might look for tutoring opportunities at local schools. Tutoring students can bring in extra income, and you’ll also feel gratification for helping others succeed.

Learn New Skills
You don’t need to have a talent or skill in mind before starting your side gig. In fact, launching a side job may help you learn new skills. You may not be a great blogger, but if you start your own blog and research, educate yourself, and gain knowledge on the topic, your writing may grow stronger. If you like to design websites, but don’t know everything about the business, learn all that you can and gain hands-on experience. Study successful people in the industry, join community forums or groups, and watch what others are doing to be successful. Learning new skills can make you more employable. So, be willing to try new things. According to Palmer, “It’s so easy to launch a side gig today. If you have an inkling for something you might want to do, just get started.”

Don’t Give Up
Remember, not every side job will be the next big thing. But, don’t give up if setbacks occur. With every new business venture, there will be speed bumps along the way. The key to success is not letting those speed bumps stop you on your journey.

Have you started your own side gig? Do you have any tips for running a successful side business? Share with us in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Jobs during winter season With January in full swing, you may feel like your job search has turned as cold as the weather. But, that doesn’t mean job opportunities have gone away to hibernate like a den of bears. There are plenty of jobs that peak in the wintertime, which can be used to your advantage.

While those with long-term career goals may not find these types of jobs to have a lasting effect, they can be great opportunities to help build work experience and get your foot in the door with employers and decision makers. Here are some jobs that see a spike in hiring during the winter months.

Tax Preparer
Two things are inevitable – death and taxes. While many tax payers wait as close to the dreaded April 15 deadline as possible, everybody will be receiving W-2 forms from their employers at the beginning of the year. With H&R Block expected to hire about 80,000 tax preparers from January until the end of April, now is a great opportunity for you to sign up with accounting and tax services for some short-term employment that could last until spring. Those looking for extra accounting experience should jump at the chance to work in and become familiar with potential employers of interest.

Fitness Trainer
With a new year come New Year’s resolutions, and the most common resolution is to get back into shape. Fitness center attendance and membership peak in January, which can be a great opportunity for you to meet the demand for personal trainers and gym staff. Just as people are exercising for a new beginning, you can work to achieve a new beginning in your career.

Tutor
Many high school juniors and seniors are starting to focus on getting ready for college now that the school year is half over. Anyone looking for an educational career can always tutor students looking to get ready for the SAT, ACT, or any other test needed for college placement. It’s great experience teaching students in a small group or one-on-one and can provide a supplemental income if you want to take advantage of the increased demand for substitute teachers during the cold and flu season.

Cruise Lines
Depending on your location, cruise lines are always looking for extra help during their peak business times in February. Vacationers from cold climates are looking to escape snow and biting winds for sunshine and sea air. If you don’t mind staying away from home for long periods of time, you can find working for cruise lines a great way to work on customer service and other soft skills. That way, you can take a small break from the job search while still developing skills.

If you live on the coast, you can also consider working at beach hotels and resorts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that housekeeping, food and beverage, and front desk opportunities nearly double during peak winter vacation time.

There’s No Business Like Snow Business
If you live in a colder region, there will inevitably be snow covering the ground. That means someone has to help plow the streets, tow the cars, and shovel the driveways. It may be manual labor, but it’s a great networking opportunity for you to get to know people in your community. Demonstrating your ability to work in any situation and grow relationships can help you find leads for a long-term job.

Don’t let the vernal equinox hold you back from finding work this year. If there’s a will, there’s a way you can find jobs that will lead to something greater and help you sharpen and develop useful skills. What are some ideas you’ve had for winter work?

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