You’ve heard the term “gig economy.” That term began to catch on prior to the pandemic, and now it’s back with a vengeance. While it was tough for many to find any type of work during the height of the pandemic, demand has again risen, unemployment has fallen, and thousands of employers are looking to fill millions of jobs.
You might be disenchanted with y0ur current job, your employer, your work life balance, or you might just be looking for a stream of income that allows you more flexibility. Whatever your reason, you can make the gig economy work for you, and it’s not just limited to becoming a ride share driver.
Rideshare And Biking Delivery Companies
If you do own a vehicle, ride share programs are still a relatively easy way to break into the gig economy. Be sure and check out the major rideshare companies like Lyft or Uber if this is something in which you are interested. Even if you’re an average cyclist, your metro area may allow for bike delivery if you’re looking to combine earning an income with improving your health.
Housekeeping, Babysitting, & Pet sitting
With society “opening up,” it’s allowed people to get back to some semblance of “normal life.” For many, that means getting back to dining out and traveling. This has created an increased demand for babysitters and pet sitters. For those with a little bit more disposable income, housekeepers have also become incredibly in demand. Those who entrust the care of their children to others obviously have much more stringent standards, but pet sitting and housekeeping have much lower barriers to entry as far as gig work. Using sites such as Care.com are an easy platform for you to find work as a housekeeper, pet sitter, house sitter, or babysitter. In many instances, experience is not necessary and you can opt to take a background check to help show your trustworthiness. On platforms such as Care, you can set your own rates and get in touch with people who may be looking for such services. This way, you can build positive reviews and reputation.
Gigs For The Skilled
Do you have skills such as design, photography, writing, or coding? If you’re part of a more skilled workforce, options are plentiful for finding gig work. Especially if you’re looking to make some extra income outside of a full time job, there are some great places opportunities for you to employ your skills and build a clientele as a “side hustle.” Places like Upwork allow you to build a profile and bid on projects, or advertise your skills. You can bid on projects on a flat rate, or have projects for which you bill hourly. There are many people looking for all types of different projects so depending on your skills, there are tons of opportunities to build income streams.
Bottom line, the employment market right now makes a great time to build extra income streams, and additionally, if you are looking to take eventual steps away from a full time job that’s too stressful or makes you unhappy, you can begin to transition to something else without losing income or making a full commitment to a job of which you’re unsure.
