Even if you are looking for part time jobs, the types of part time roles you are looking for might not necessarily be the ones that give you permanent employment with regular hours.
There are many of you out there who, because of your circumstances or personal preferences, might prefer to do gig jobs where you carry out one off jobs as and when you are needed.
As with any other type of work, gig jobs come with both pros and cons. So, in this article, we will take a look at what those advantages and disadvantages are.
Before you decide to get involved in this type of work, take a look at what you need to consider beforehand.
Advantages Of Gig Jobs
There are lots of advantages to working in the gig economy. Let’s delve into some of them now…
Flexibility
Gig jobs often allow you to set your own schedule, giving you the flexibility to work when it suits you best.
This can be especially beneficial if you have other commitments like college, you are working multiple part time jobs or you have home commitments like caring for a family member or bringing up a young family.
Variety
Gig jobs come in all shapes and sizes, from entry level roles to those that will require specialised skills or professional qualifications. From driving jobs to freelance writing or graphic design.
This variety allows you to explore different industries and types of work, keeping things interesting. If you are looking for a career change, you can try out different types of work to see what suits your personality.
Independence
As a gig worker, you’re often your own boss.
You have the freedom to choose the projects you want to take on and how you want to complete them, without being micromanaged by a traditional employer.
Extra Income
Gig work can be a great way to supplement your income or earn extra money on the side. If you are looking to retrain, you can earn extra income doing gig jobs whilst you complete any courses you need to do for your new career.
Whether you are saving up for a big purchase or just want some spending money, gig jobs can help you reach your financial goals.
Skill Development
Many gig jobs provide opportunities to learn new skills or hone existing ones.
Whether it’s improving your communication skills as a freelance writer or learning how to manage your time effectively as a delivery driver, gig work can help you grow professionally.
It’s a great way to keep your skills up to date if you have been out of the workplace for a while. Keep your CV ticking with gig jobs so that when you are ready to apply for permanent roles, you can show potential employers that you have been proactive.
And don’t forget about those transferable skills that gig jobs can give you. These will prove useful in other jobs and outside of the world of work, too.
Work-Life Balance
Lots of people like to do part time work because of the work life balance opportunities. With the flexibility of gig work, you can often better balance your work and personal life.
You have more control over when and where you work, allowing you to prioritise the things that matter most to you outside of work.
Accessibility & Opportunity
Lots of gig jobs often have low barriers to entry, meaning you don’t necessarily need specialised skills or qualifications to get started.
This makes gig work accessible to a wide range of people, regardless of their background or experience.They can be ideal for getting some valuable work experience for those of you who don’t currently have the time to commit to permanent roles.
Networking Opportunities
Gig jobs can be an ideal stepping stone to use for building a future career.
Working in various gigs can introduce you to a wide network of clients, collaborators, and other professionals in your field.
Building these connections can open up new opportunities for future gigs or even full-time employment. Leverage part time gig jobs to suit your own needs.
Testing The Waters
There are many articles on this site about the different types of part time jobs out there. Ideas for those of you who aren’t really sure what direction to take your career in next.
How do you know if the field you have chosen is going to be the right one for you? Gig work can be a great way to test out different industries or career paths without making a long-term commitment.
If you’re unsure about your career direction, gig jobs allow you to explore different options and see what works best for you.
Location Independence
For some gig jobs, depending on the type of gig work you do, you may have the freedom to work from anywhere with an internet connection.
This can be especially appealing if you enjoy travelling or if you have family or personal commitments that require you to be in a specific location.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Gig Jobs?
It’s important to consider both the pros and the cons of gig jobs so that you know what you are getting yourself into when you undertake this sort of part time work.
Let’s take a look at some of the minuses when it comes to part time work in the gig economy…
Income Instability
Unlike the types of part time job where you are employed for a set amount of hours with a regular wage, gig workers often face irregular income streams as their earnings can fluctuate based on factors like demand, seasonality and competition.
This instability can make budgeting and financial planning for future ideas challenging.
Lack Of Benefits
Gig jobs mean you can miss out on the types of benefits that permanently employed workers are entitled to. This can be entitlements such as overtime pay, holiday pay and sickness pay.
This can leave you vulnerable in the event of illness or injury or if you can’t work for other reasons.
No Job Security
Gig workers are often considered independent contractors rather than employees which means they do not have the same legal protections or job security.
This means you could lose the job you are working on without notice or recourse.
If there is a slowdown in the sector you work in, as a gig worker, you will be struggling to find work.
Overwork & Burnout
Doing part time gig jobs, because you could lose your job at any time – there are no set hours or boundaries – you might feel pressure to work long hours or take on too many projects in order to meet their financial goals.
This can lead to burnout and negatively impact your physical and mental health. This is the exact opposite result of what many gig workers are striving to achieve.
If you want to do part time gig jobs because improved work life balance is your goal, make sure you set clear boundaries for yourself with regards to work days and hours.
Isolation & Loneliness
Gig work can be solitary, with little to no interaction with coworkers or supervisors. This isolation can be isolating and lead to feelings of loneliness or disconnection from others.
This problem has also been highlighted as one of the downsides for those working from home even if they are employed in permanent roles.
Try to do video calls with your current employer if it is a remote job.
Meanwhile, build up contacts in relevant social media groups so that you can perhaps meet up with those in your locality who are also doing gig jobs so that you can share experience and not feel so isolated.
Limited Career Advancement
Gig work often lacks clear paths for career advancement or professional development that you might receive if you were working under contract in a permanent part time job.
Without opportunities for growth or promotion, gig workers may feel stuck in their current roles or unable to progress in their careers.
But, as we mention above in the advantages of gig work, you can use this way of working to advance your career in other areas; working whilst you study or retrain, for example.
No Employer-Provided Training Or Support
Gig workers are responsible for their own training and development which can be challenging without access to employer-provided resources or support networks.
This lack of training can possibly limit your ability to improve your skills or adapt to changes in the industry you are working in.
It is down to you as a gig worker to keep yourself up to date with changes and developments in your industry. Attend conferences and join social media groups so that you can network with others in your field.
Potential For Exploitation
Especially for gig workers, it is important for you to know your boundaries when taking on freelance projects.
Some gig workers may be subject to exploitative practices by clients or platforms, such as:
- low pay
- unrealistic deadlines
- unsafe working conditions
Without strong legal protections or collective bargaining power, gig workers may struggle to advocate for fair treatment.
Building up relationships with reputable employers will give you a better chance of fair treatment and repeat work so that these risks are reduced.
Is The Gig Economy For You?
Part time jobs by way of doing gig work is certainly not for everyone; especially when you consider the disadvantages of this type of work.
However, if you organise yourself and make sure you set realistic boundaries for yourself, gig jobs can be hugely beneficial, especially for those of you who are using this way of working as a temporary way of earning money and experience.
The gig economy can be leveraged by you to suit your own current circumstances. And for some workers, the gig economy is a permanent career, working on one of projects as and when they choose.
It is down to you as an individual to assess your personal circumstances and decide whether or not gig jobs are something that you could benefit from.
