How to Become a Moonlighter

Moonlighting is a term for working a second job after your regular full-time job. There is a variety of reasons one would take on a second job: more income, to gain experience in another field or to get out of debt. From checking groceries at your local supermarket to teaching others your skills, there are plenty of ways to earn extra cash.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check your company policies to see if there are any prohibitions against employees taking a second job. Some companies have policies against moonlighting.

2. Decide what you would like to do, and see what is available. Unless you are trying to gain experience in a different field, your best bet is to utilize your existing skills and education to do something within your area of expertise.

3. Read the classified ads to see what is in your area and visit job-seeking sites, such as Monster or Career Builder.

4. Research opportunities to work with a direct-selling company such as Tupperware or Cooksey Keepsakes.

5. Start a side business doing something you enjoy. Perhaps you have a knack for graphic design, lawn care, cleaning, or making crafts, furniture or clothing.

6. Share your skills with others by teaching music, art or cooking.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be able to work part-time as your own boss doing something you're qualified to do. For example, if you're an accountant, do taxes on the side. If you're a journalist, do editing on the side. If you're a teacher, do tutoring on the side.
• Instead of getting a second job, ask your employer if you could pick up some extra hours at your current job.
• Take a temporary part-time job so you can moonlight on a trial basis.
• Moonlight at a low-stress job.
• Moonlighting isn't easy. You won't have much free time, and there is the possibility that it may affect your full-time job.

Resources

• Search for part-time jobs in your career field at Careerbuilder.com.
• Search for jobs at Monster.com.
• Enter your zip code at Service Locator to find a job bank near you.
• Cooksey Keepsakes offers moonlighters the chance to make money hosting photography parties.
• Tupperware is another home-party business.

[BDWalker]

on 2/24/2008 These steps are great suggestions, but something is missing. How does a moonlighter make potential customers aware of his/her skills and availability? Becoming known to consumers is the hardest part for service providers.