Gig Work. The Gig Economy. Gig Jobs.
You have probably heard of these things
You may even know some people that are part of this growing
workforce. But what is it really? Will it work for you? In this series of blog posts, we take a look
at Gig Work: what it is, how to get started, where to find gig resources, some
gigs you might not have thought of, and some important things to keep in mind
about gig work, or independent contractor work, in general.
When you think of a "gig", you may
think of the slang word for a band's live performance or show. But this definition has changed over the past
few years and has evolved in meaning.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a "gig" is "a job for a specified time". So, it's a short-term job or assignment that
allows people to make extra money, or to make themselves less dependent on full
time work.
"Gig work" isn't really new. Think about it. Freelance work. Consultant. The kid who mows
your lawn. It's just some sort of short-term
employment. Gig workers are not normally considered
"employees" of an organization, so the company doesn't take taxes
out, they don’t pay Medicare or Social Security taxes, and they usually offer
few or no benefits to gig workers. In
general, gig work is “non-traditional” work, meaning not the standard 9-5 full
time employee. There are many reasons
someone may pursue gig work. I
personally chose it because I needed the flexibility. Others may choose it as a means to supplement
their income. For others, COVID-19 has eliminated
their job, and they need to find immediate work. Gig work to the rescue!
How do you get started in the Gig economy? First, get your resume together. You may not need it for some types of gig work, but it is a good idea to have an updated resume available just in case something amazing comes along and you need a resume to apply for it. Even a simple resume will do. There are various sites that can help with resume writing. For example, this Indeed article gives some great tips. And be sure to check your grammar and spelling!
Next, think about the kind
of gig work that you want to do. Don’t
know how to start? Then think about the
things you LIKE to do. There are the
standard gig jobs most people think about, such as driving with Uber and
Lyft. But if driving strangers around in
your car isn’t for you, there are literally hundreds of other gig
opportunities. Just Google your interests and you would be surprised what
appears! Let’s take a look at a few opportunities for gig work that you may not
be aware of:
Are you an expert in a certain field? A teacher looking to supplement your income? Try tutoring. From kindergarten to graduate school, students need help mastering their classes. This has even become more critical during the pandemic, as many students are floundering with remote learning. Or, take it international. Companies like VIPKid.com and Magic Ears are legitimate sites where you work with children from China to teach them English. Call your local schools to see if they need tutors. Put up a flyer at a nearby university. Check out various online tutoring companies, such as Skooli.com, Mathnasium.com, or Chegg.com. Some of these positions require a bachelor’s degree and/or teaching certificate, but some do not. Be sure to check before you apply.
Love Animals? Try dog walking or pet sitting. Rover.com, Wagwalking.com, and Bark.com, are all great places to get started! This may be a growing business in the future. When the world starts to return to normal, and many of those people who got new pets return to the office, someone needs to take care of them!
Like to shop? Get paid to do it for other people. Instacart.com and Shipt.com are always hiring, as many people, especially those at risk for COVID, have no desire to get out and shop. Between salary and tips, Instacart states that you can make $22 an hour.
Are you a foodie? DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEATS are all actively hiring. Again, many people do not want to go out to restaurants due to COVID but want to enjoy the food. And you get to keep the tips!
Are you great at clerical and administrative support? Be a Virtual Executive Assistant. Companies such as Timeetc.com, Boldly.com, and Belay.com hire Executive Assistants at various times.
Get the idea? There
are literally hundreds of gig opportunities!
To name a few others you may not have thought of…closet organizer,
photographer, proofreader, computer repair or tech support, handyman work,
personal chef, piano teacher, landscaper, etc.
You would be surprised what some people will pay for!
Come back soon for information on some additional sites
for gig work, as well as the all-important tax information.
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