Do you recommend holding down two jobs at a time?
January 21, 2021 10:29 AM Subscribe
I recently got a job offer for a desk (non-retail) job. I have been working a part-time retail job since late 2019. I'm seriously complementing keeping the part-time job, but am also struggling with some aspects.
I know this is a personal decision, but I need a bit of help. I'm currently working for the online division of this retail job, so I'm essentially WFH for the retail chat functions of this job, although I'm scheduled to return back in-store sometime in April.
I'm scheduled to start the new job in February, which I presume is full-time (although I don't yet know my hours), and I don't yet know if I'll be commuting physically to the job or if it'll be WFH as well, given COVID. If it's commuting, it'll take more time to commute back and forth.
My current part-time retail job is a bit "uptight" with availability, and the thought of finishing a full workday at my new job then working until 9/10pm, then having to sacrifice weekends as well, is giving me pause. I am a proponent of self-care and the balance of having day(s) off. It seems like my workplace is not allowing me to mark a guaranteed weekend day off (I asked for Sunday off so I could work Friday night, then Saturday, but take Sunday for my self-care/focus day).
However, it'll be very nice to have the extra income, and I do enjoy my co-workers, so I'm a bit torn. I also remember at my previous full-time job (the one I was laid off from) being bored sometimes on weeknights and weekends, with nothing much to do, so there's that.
Your thoughts and input would be greatly helpful and appreciated, or to share some insights I never thought of. Happy New Year!
I know this is a personal decision, but I need a bit of help. I'm currently working for the online division of this retail job, so I'm essentially WFH for the retail chat functions of this job, although I'm scheduled to return back in-store sometime in April.
I'm scheduled to start the new job in February, which I presume is full-time (although I don't yet know my hours), and I don't yet know if I'll be commuting physically to the job or if it'll be WFH as well, given COVID. If it's commuting, it'll take more time to commute back and forth.
My current part-time retail job is a bit "uptight" with availability, and the thought of finishing a full workday at my new job then working until 9/10pm, then having to sacrifice weekends as well, is giving me pause. I am a proponent of self-care and the balance of having day(s) off. It seems like my workplace is not allowing me to mark a guaranteed weekend day off (I asked for Sunday off so I could work Friday night, then Saturday, but take Sunday for my self-care/focus day).
However, it'll be very nice to have the extra income, and I do enjoy my co-workers, so I'm a bit torn. I also remember at my previous full-time job (the one I was laid off from) being bored sometimes on weeknights and weekends, with nothing much to do, so there's that.
Your thoughts and input would be greatly helpful and appreciated, or to share some insights I never thought of. Happy New Year!
You could always try it for a bit and see how it feels. You could also offer to the retail job that you can "sub in" for seasonal rush, holidays, etc. and still keep your toe in that way but not be committed to a regular grueling schedule.
posted by nkknkk at 10:46 AM on January 21, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by nkknkk at 10:46 AM on January 21, 2021 [3 favorites]
Well, first I'd clarify the hours and the and full-time-ness of the new job before doing anything. Then I'd see if I could fit both jobs in, even until the point when they expect you back in-store.
If that's possible, I'd hold off on quitting the current job even for 8 weeks or so if the extra money would be worth it to you. I am assuming you are not currently giving up on social time, and self-care can be reduced to adequate sleep and exercise for a few weekends if the money is good.
(I have worked 12 hour days and it was terrible BUT I knew it was time-limited AND I really needed the money so the whole package was a net positive for me. You have to do your own calculus.)
posted by DarlingBri at 10:50 AM on January 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
If that's possible, I'd hold off on quitting the current job even for 8 weeks or so if the extra money would be worth it to you. I am assuming you are not currently giving up on social time, and self-care can be reduced to adequate sleep and exercise for a few weekends if the money is good.
(I have worked 12 hour days and it was terrible BUT I knew it was time-limited AND I really needed the money so the whole package was a net positive for me. You have to do your own calculus.)
posted by DarlingBri at 10:50 AM on January 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
Just as an added a data point, I tried this (full time desk job, weekend retail) to try to pay down student loans quicker. I only lasted a couple months. It was exhausting and I never felt like I had time for myself or to rest and recharge. I feel very fortunate that I didn't need the second job money for living expenses.
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:05 AM on January 21, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:05 AM on January 21, 2021 [8 favorites]
It's too early to answer this question. You don't know anything about the new desk job yet, not even where or when you're going to be working. You literally can't plan yet, even if you wanted to.
A lot of your concerns are dependent on what the new job is like, and you can't fully address them until you know more about the new job. Will you have time for self-care? Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll be very focused on self-care (it happens; my employer is), or maybe they're going to expect you to answer emails at 4am on Saturday. Will you be bored if you don't work two jobs? Again, who knows?
There are some other logistical concerns you can't address, as well. What happens if the desk job expects you to work at the office until 6pm, and the drive to your store (once you go back in April) is 45 minutes? Would the retail job actually schedule you for a two-hour shift? And even if they would, is it worth it to go through the hassle for what would probably amount to less than $20? If the answer to either of those questions is no, then you're looking at only working weekends at the retail job, meaning a seven-day work week. On the other hand, if the new job is WFH and lets you leave at 3:30, you could probably do three nights a week at retail to pick up cash and then have two nights a week and all weekend to yourself.
And finally, there are questions about yourself you didn't specify in your post. As another commenter said, the calculations are different if you're 25 and only a couple years out of school as opposed to a 40-year-old with a mortgage or a 60-year-old with management experience. How does the new job fit into your career path? What would you use the extra money from retail for?
Personally, I would not. But, to put it bluntly, I'm kind of lazy, and I tend to get resentful of work if I don't feel I'm being appreciated (which was most of the time early in my career, not as much now). I've never needed extra money that urgently, and I value rest (not just sleep, but laying around on the couch) a lot. That's me. You're probably different, though. It's hard to say.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2021 [8 favorites]
A lot of your concerns are dependent on what the new job is like, and you can't fully address them until you know more about the new job. Will you have time for self-care? Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll be very focused on self-care (it happens; my employer is), or maybe they're going to expect you to answer emails at 4am on Saturday. Will you be bored if you don't work two jobs? Again, who knows?
There are some other logistical concerns you can't address, as well. What happens if the desk job expects you to work at the office until 6pm, and the drive to your store (once you go back in April) is 45 minutes? Would the retail job actually schedule you for a two-hour shift? And even if they would, is it worth it to go through the hassle for what would probably amount to less than $20? If the answer to either of those questions is no, then you're looking at only working weekends at the retail job, meaning a seven-day work week. On the other hand, if the new job is WFH and lets you leave at 3:30, you could probably do three nights a week at retail to pick up cash and then have two nights a week and all weekend to yourself.
And finally, there are questions about yourself you didn't specify in your post. As another commenter said, the calculations are different if you're 25 and only a couple years out of school as opposed to a 40-year-old with a mortgage or a 60-year-old with management experience. How does the new job fit into your career path? What would you use the extra money from retail for?
Personally, I would not. But, to put it bluntly, I'm kind of lazy, and I tend to get resentful of work if I don't feel I'm being appreciated (which was most of the time early in my career, not as much now). I've never needed extra money that urgently, and I value rest (not just sleep, but laying around on the couch) a lot. That's me. You're probably different, though. It's hard to say.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:09 AM on January 21, 2021 [8 favorites]
I wouldn't do this at all unless you absolutely had to. Two jobs, one of them being retail, doesn't allow for self-care. Especially a job that is "uptight" about availability, and guaranteed one day offs a week isn't likely in retail either. And I don't know how well either job would be about you juggling two.
I would see if the new job can support you full time, what the commute is, etc. before making a decision, though.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:33 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
I would see if the new job can support you full time, what the commute is, etc. before making a decision, though.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:33 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
When I was in college I used to do this during the summers - I worked at a hotel as a cleaner during the daytime and then took a server shift at a restaurant until 10 or 11 a few nights a week.
And while it was kind of exhausting, I also sort of liked it! the two jobs were really different - one was solitary and constant, and the other was kind of social and busy/slow bursts, and I liked my coworkers and enjoyed talking to customers, and I think that helped a lot.
Plus the extra money was really nice - I managed to put away enough over the 4 months summers to cover most of my living expenses for the next school year.
I'm not sure if it's sustainable as a open ended thing, but I think if you wanted to try it for a few months, the little extra money you earn during that time will definitely be a bonus, and if you feel burnt out, then you can quit then!
(Also, you may find your PT job becomes a lot more flexible with their hours when you say you are leaving - my restaurant was all like "you HAVE to work a split shift" until they were going to lose me, and then suddenly they'd make just a dinner shift work for me.)
posted by euphoria066 at 11:41 AM on January 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
And while it was kind of exhausting, I also sort of liked it! the two jobs were really different - one was solitary and constant, and the other was kind of social and busy/slow bursts, and I liked my coworkers and enjoyed talking to customers, and I think that helped a lot.
Plus the extra money was really nice - I managed to put away enough over the 4 months summers to cover most of my living expenses for the next school year.
I'm not sure if it's sustainable as a open ended thing, but I think if you wanted to try it for a few months, the little extra money you earn during that time will definitely be a bonus, and if you feel burnt out, then you can quit then!
(Also, you may find your PT job becomes a lot more flexible with their hours when you say you are leaving - my restaurant was all like "you HAVE to work a split shift" until they were going to lose me, and then suddenly they'd make just a dinner shift work for me.)
posted by euphoria066 at 11:41 AM on January 21, 2021 [2 favorites]
I used to have a fairly chill 9-5 office job followed by a four-hour class I taught two evenings a week. So not physically demanding, but really tiring those two days and that bled over into the two following days each week. This only went on a few months until I had finished the course like I had promised, but it suuuucked. Way worse than being bored. And I generally liked teaching that course quite a bit. I would only do it if now if I really needed the money. My performance at my regular job suffered, and would have suffered significantly if I had done it long term. There are other social outlets, even in a pandemic.
posted by skewed at 11:44 AM on January 21, 2021
posted by skewed at 11:44 AM on January 21, 2021
I did this for years with a very quiet full time desk job and a one day a week public facing museum job (similar to retail in some ways - being on your feet all day, constantly picking up after people, etc.) and it was hard but doable. I even took grad school classes at the same time, occasionally a full course load (I don't recommend that part). I really didn't socialize outside of work at all.
I think it depends on the specifics of the individual jobs. I'd plan to give it a shot and see how you actually feel about it once you're doing it - you can always quit if you need to.
posted by mskyle at 11:48 AM on January 21, 2021
I think it depends on the specifics of the individual jobs. I'd plan to give it a shot and see how you actually feel about it once you're doing it - you can always quit if you need to.
posted by mskyle at 11:48 AM on January 21, 2021
Is there anything in your job offer letter or employment agreement that mentions whether you are full-time or part-time, and the expected hours per week? Can you check with HR or your recruiter to get more details?
Most office jobs that are categorized as full-time will be 37.5 to 40 hours a week, but some could be as few as 30 hours. If you're working in a corporate setting, it will almost certainly be some variation of the traditional 9am to 5pm, although especially with WFH, many employers are accommodating flexible schedules. In that case, you could arrange with your manager to come in from 7am to 3pm, and you'd have more time left in your day to work a shift at your retail job.
As already mentioned above though, it depends on your employer's expectations. On paper, my job is 37.5 hours a week. In reality, I am more likely to work anywhere from 45 to 60 hours a week, depending on the workload, and on any given day I might be expected to stay as long as it takes to get urgent tasks done, or I may have calls and meetings scheduled in the evening due to time zone differences. Whereas I have friends at other companies who leave their offices at 5pm on the dot, never take work home, never check emails at night or on weekends, and their off time belongs entirely to them.
There's no rush at the moment for you to make the decision. You need more information. You are also free to try out two jobs at once and see how that goes, just be aware that onboarding at a new job is often a stressful time with tons of new information to remember, and you might feel worn thin by the end of the day. Being exhausted and sleepy at your new job may not make a great impression and could hinder your performance. If it's not working out, be prepared to resign quickly from the retail job.
posted by keep it under cover at 11:56 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Most office jobs that are categorized as full-time will be 37.5 to 40 hours a week, but some could be as few as 30 hours. If you're working in a corporate setting, it will almost certainly be some variation of the traditional 9am to 5pm, although especially with WFH, many employers are accommodating flexible schedules. In that case, you could arrange with your manager to come in from 7am to 3pm, and you'd have more time left in your day to work a shift at your retail job.
As already mentioned above though, it depends on your employer's expectations. On paper, my job is 37.5 hours a week. In reality, I am more likely to work anywhere from 45 to 60 hours a week, depending on the workload, and on any given day I might be expected to stay as long as it takes to get urgent tasks done, or I may have calls and meetings scheduled in the evening due to time zone differences. Whereas I have friends at other companies who leave their offices at 5pm on the dot, never take work home, never check emails at night or on weekends, and their off time belongs entirely to them.
There's no rush at the moment for you to make the decision. You need more information. You are also free to try out two jobs at once and see how that goes, just be aware that onboarding at a new job is often a stressful time with tons of new information to remember, and you might feel worn thin by the end of the day. Being exhausted and sleepy at your new job may not make a great impression and could hinder your performance. If it's not working out, be prepared to resign quickly from the retail job.
posted by keep it under cover at 11:56 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
In my late 20s worked a full-time job and put an average 10-20 hours a week into a hobby/part-time business. I managed to keep it up for a couple of years but only because I didn't need the money, enjoyed the work and could manage my own schedule. If the desk job is anything approaching full-time and you can afford it I'd be anticipating ditching the retail job either immediately or within a few months.
posted by plonkee at 12:28 PM on January 21, 2021
posted by plonkee at 12:28 PM on January 21, 2021
in my 20s i worked 2-3 jobs at a time. it was awful. now i'm in my 40s (!) and work a full time job and occasionally a freelance project for some extra money and it is sucky. i'm not gonna take another one after i finish the one i'm doing.
my honest opinion is do both for a while and see how it goes. you can always quit the pt job if it is too much for you.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:37 PM on January 21, 2021
my honest opinion is do both for a while and see how it goes. you can always quit the pt job if it is too much for you.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:37 PM on January 21, 2021
I agree that you need more information about the new job, and the lack of guaranteed days off in the current retail job does not sound promising anyway.
Personally, I'd rather light myself on fire than work both a full time and a part time job (especially one of them being in retail). This is because I value time to recharge from work and other people, flexibility in my schedule, and am compensated well enough that no amount of extra money would be worth losing the other two things. However lots of people manage, and even enjoy this.
I do feel like there is a lot of emphasis lately on "side hustles"/secondary employment being a thing that everyone "should" be doing (particularly directed at younger people) but... it's a no from me, dog.
posted by sm1tten at 12:41 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Personally, I'd rather light myself on fire than work both a full time and a part time job (especially one of them being in retail). This is because I value time to recharge from work and other people, flexibility in my schedule, and am compensated well enough that no amount of extra money would be worth losing the other two things. However lots of people manage, and even enjoy this.
I do feel like there is a lot of emphasis lately on "side hustles"/secondary employment being a thing that everyone "should" be doing (particularly directed at younger people) but... it's a no from me, dog.
posted by sm1tten at 12:41 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've worked a full-time job plus part time on top of it for the last 5 years, but my part-time work I have full autonomy over so it's a bit different. It can definitely be done, is a great way to pay off debt, have fun money or save for a rainy day. It can be energy intensive. I don't know if I could do it as an introvert if either role required a significant amount of extroverting. It requires some level of organization. There are pros and cons to working this way, just as there are to having one role. I reduce my extra hours when life gets stressful or I need a break. I don't think I'd do it for a retail gig, but some 1099 thing where I can set my own hours (Lyft, or Shipt, or whatever) I could manage just fine.
I would NOT do this if I had to sacrifice sleep to make it work. Sleep is precious, and important for so many health processes. Not worth the consequences IMO if you can pay your bills otherwise.
As a bonus it shows good work ethic to have a side hustle, which is a plus if you try to get better full-time work.
I have an overachieving workaholic streak in me, so YMMV.
posted by crunchy potato at 12:55 PM on January 21, 2021
I would NOT do this if I had to sacrifice sleep to make it work. Sleep is precious, and important for so many health processes. Not worth the consequences IMO if you can pay your bills otherwise.
As a bonus it shows good work ethic to have a side hustle, which is a plus if you try to get better full-time work.
I have an overachieving workaholic streak in me, so YMMV.
posted by crunchy potato at 12:55 PM on January 21, 2021
I'm now in my 60's and work retail every Saturday and Sunday, plus work 2 part-time desk jobs during the weekdays.
There is no time for anything else because of travel time, etc. Sometimes, juggling the three jobs is stressful because there are no "set" week days from week to week unless there's advance notice. Weekday job is technical drafting and can be intense, but both employers don't need full time help and I'm a 1099, so can somewhat call my own schedule. As I've gotten older, I have learned to schedule time for doctor appointments and such as necessary.
The only reason I can do this is because the weekday jobs are both very understanding about my need to drop and go take care of my mom if necessary (dementia.) It's also the reason I keep working for these two, because they are both human.
Plus, I have scheduled my weekend job from 6 am to 2 pm. The only reason I can do this is because they are desperate for good workers and I've been there 8 years without any call-outs.
You don't know how the weekday job will be until after you've been there for 2 months unless it's hellacious from the start. You can probably juggle both for the limited time until you get a feel for it. Honestly, the retail will have to work with you if they want to keep you, but that depends on which retail it is....
posted by mightshould at 1:04 PM on January 21, 2021
There is no time for anything else because of travel time, etc. Sometimes, juggling the three jobs is stressful because there are no "set" week days from week to week unless there's advance notice. Weekday job is technical drafting and can be intense, but both employers don't need full time help and I'm a 1099, so can somewhat call my own schedule. As I've gotten older, I have learned to schedule time for doctor appointments and such as necessary.
The only reason I can do this is because the weekday jobs are both very understanding about my need to drop and go take care of my mom if necessary (dementia.) It's also the reason I keep working for these two, because they are both human.
Plus, I have scheduled my weekend job from 6 am to 2 pm. The only reason I can do this is because they are desperate for good workers and I've been there 8 years without any call-outs.
You don't know how the weekday job will be until after you've been there for 2 months unless it's hellacious from the start. You can probably juggle both for the limited time until you get a feel for it. Honestly, the retail will have to work with you if they want to keep you, but that depends on which retail it is....
posted by mightshould at 1:04 PM on January 21, 2021
For data, I started the side hustle when I was 32. I'm 38 now. I have time for self-care, parenting, and a social life but as an introvert whose work is social, my social needs are minimal. My part-time work is 5-10 hours a week, always the same days. +10 hours every week would start to become too much. I keep one weekend day free. My side hustle is virtual, and I've always chosen virtual side hustles. I don't think I'd want a second job that made me go somewhere.
posted by crunchy potato at 1:11 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by crunchy potato at 1:11 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Wow, such helpful responses so far! Still processing all responses. A couple of follow-up items:
a) The retail job isn't absolutely necessary to keep afloat, although it'd be nice to have the extra cash. A small negative I do see occurring is that my monthly student loan payments would be higher with both jobs (income-based payment plans for federal student loans).
b) The retail job is "prestigious", at a major tech company, and they want/require all their employees (part and full timers) to have open availability for both weekend days, unfortunately. While I really like nkknkk's suggestion, I doubt they would be able to accommodate being a "fill in"; my manager had even mentioned that some people just couldn't work it out with their 2nd job and accommodating the store's schedule needs. I honestly don't even think their system is set up to accommodate that kind of attendance.
c) I'm leaning towards more of an extrovert, although I'm an ambivert. My retail job can be really wearisome with customers, though. I'm really fortunate that they allowed a large portion of employees to take those temporary WFH positions; that's almost unheard of in retail.
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 2:45 PM on January 21, 2021
a) The retail job isn't absolutely necessary to keep afloat, although it'd be nice to have the extra cash. A small negative I do see occurring is that my monthly student loan payments would be higher with both jobs (income-based payment plans for federal student loans).
b) The retail job is "prestigious", at a major tech company, and they want/require all their employees (part and full timers) to have open availability for both weekend days, unfortunately. While I really like nkknkk's suggestion, I doubt they would be able to accommodate being a "fill in"; my manager had even mentioned that some people just couldn't work it out with their 2nd job and accommodating the store's schedule needs. I honestly don't even think their system is set up to accommodate that kind of attendance.
c) I'm leaning towards more of an extrovert, although I'm an ambivert. My retail job can be really wearisome with customers, though. I'm really fortunate that they allowed a large portion of employees to take those temporary WFH positions; that's almost unheard of in retail.
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 2:45 PM on January 21, 2021
When I was in my 20s, I worked a full time job in a medical records department at one hospital, and a part time job three evenings a week at another hospital. I was young and my body didn’t hurt all the time like it does now, but it was still ROUGH. The only thing that made it doable for me was the fact that I had every weekend off. It sounds like you might not get two days off every week if you try to keep your part time job...I think that way lies burnout, potentially. Try it and see?
posted by little mouth at 3:26 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by little mouth at 3:26 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: So sorry to threadsit, but one thing I forgot to mention in my original Ask is... another thing that's making me feel slightly guilty is that I feel some kind of allegiance to this company I work at. I was laid off from my previous full-time job in fall 2019 and felt so terrible, and the company I work at now kind of "swooped in" and saved me. I was able to fast-track an interview and got in right before the holidays began, and it's seriously thanks to this company that I remained employed all of 2020. They closed the store a few times, but continued to pay us staff throughout the closures.
A small part of me might feel a bit guilty if/when leaving this company, especially after they basically saved my skin after being laid off. This is another complication and why I'm unsure, although I have to keep reminding myself that business is business.
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 3:38 PM on January 21, 2021
A small part of me might feel a bit guilty if/when leaving this company, especially after they basically saved my skin after being laid off. This is another complication and why I'm unsure, although I have to keep reminding myself that business is business.
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 3:38 PM on January 21, 2021
If the company of your part-time job were loyal to you, they would have already given you benefits and full-time hours. They didn't-- so you don't need to feel that you owe them anything but an honest shift's worth of work.
I have done this (full time school librarian, weekend retail) and it was only worth it because I had summers off (and thus no other paycheck.) I quit as soon as I could get a single full-time, year-round job so that I could have weekends and see my family and friends for more than an hour at a time again, go home for holidays, not work Black Friday, etc. It really matters to have time off.
Personally, I would stick with your retail job exactly long enough to pay off something or save up an emergency cushion, then I would quit and just do your one full-time job. It is worth it to have rest and fun in your life.
posted by blnkfrnk at 4:58 PM on January 21, 2021 [4 favorites]
I have done this (full time school librarian, weekend retail) and it was only worth it because I had summers off (and thus no other paycheck.) I quit as soon as I could get a single full-time, year-round job so that I could have weekends and see my family and friends for more than an hour at a time again, go home for holidays, not work Black Friday, etc. It really matters to have time off.
Personally, I would stick with your retail job exactly long enough to pay off something or save up an emergency cushion, then I would quit and just do your one full-time job. It is worth it to have rest and fun in your life.
posted by blnkfrnk at 4:58 PM on January 21, 2021 [4 favorites]
I did this for a bit. I had a good professional job in my field, but needed/wanted a bit more money. I was above board on what I was doing.
It got to be too much, so I quit the nighttime part time job. I told the folks at the full time job, their reaction was mostly "good, because were about to tell you to pick one or the other."
Don't let the less important job hurt your performance/advancement at the new full time job.
posted by rudd135 at 5:36 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
It got to be too much, so I quit the nighttime part time job. I told the folks at the full time job, their reaction was mostly "good, because were about to tell you to pick one or the other."
Don't let the less important job hurt your performance/advancement at the new full time job.
posted by rudd135 at 5:36 PM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]
Tons of good advice here. I had a couple situations like this in my twenties, and mostly held it together. Just remember that you don't owe your current employer anything more than a shift for money, and that the new job isn't anything until you're on the books. In between now and a month into new job, I wouldn't make any sudden changes. If by desk job you mean a salaried position with benefits, it may very well make sense to drop the retail job sooner than later, especially if it starts affecting anything to do with the other job. But it shouldn't be too hard to navigate this without burning any bridges. I'd probably give it a shot.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:33 PM on January 21, 2021
posted by aspersioncast at 8:33 PM on January 21, 2021
It really depends how much they like you and are willing to work around your schedule. I did full time 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday, and for a period of time continued a retail job that I used to do on a casual basis, I just told the shift supervisor that I had now engaged in full time work and if she wanted she could roster me on weekends exclusively, and I'd understand it if they couldn't.
As it was a casual work arrangement, work hours are not guaranteed, so they could cut my hours to zero anytime they liked: and similarly, I could also quit anytime I liked.
They must have liked me because they rostered me for full Saturdays and Sundays from then onwards. Eventually I got tired of working 7 days a week straight, as anyone would, but it was certainly interesting to observe it firsthand!
posted by xdvesper at 9:37 PM on January 21, 2021
As it was a casual work arrangement, work hours are not guaranteed, so they could cut my hours to zero anytime they liked: and similarly, I could also quit anytime I liked.
They must have liked me because they rostered me for full Saturdays and Sundays from then onwards. Eventually I got tired of working 7 days a week straight, as anyone would, but it was certainly interesting to observe it firsthand!
posted by xdvesper at 9:37 PM on January 21, 2021
Another thing to think about: is the full time job a "career" type job or just a job? Are there ways to level up in the full time role? Are there ways to fast track that leveling up? I'm asking because sometimes it makes me sense to devote extra time to your main hustle, get promoted more quickly and make money that. I make almost 3 times as much at my full time role as I did 7 years ago but that's because of lots of promotions as well as getting certain qualifications. Those things likely would not have happened had I been also trying to do a part time job.
posted by peacheater at 4:37 AM on January 22, 2021
posted by peacheater at 4:37 AM on January 22, 2021
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I was also lucky in having a boss for the PT job that would work around the FT, I wouldn't fancy doing it without that.
posted by biffa at 10:42 AM on January 21, 2021 [1 favorite]