11 Second Job Ideas to Boost Your Income

Taking on a second job is a great way to get extra cash in the bank, but it’s also a chance to indulge your passions, do some good, explore your creativity or prepare for a career change.

What can I do for extra income?

The list really is endless when it comes to additional jobs but it also depends on how you plan to do it. What experience do you have that you could leverage? Could you teach those to others? What existing commitments do you have and how would you fit them around your second role?

It’s important to ask yourself these questions so you know how many hours you can dedicate to a second job as well as what your skills could lead to.

Do I need to tell HMRC if I have two jobs?

It depends. If you’re employed then your employer has a duty to inform HMRC. You can also use the HMRC’s new starter checklist given to you by your employer.

However, if you’re self-employed, you should let HMRC know by October 5th following the end of the tax year in which you took up self-employment. Plus, you’ll need to file a self-assessment tax return each year. If you launch a limited company, you should file a company tax return each year too.

11 jobs to build an extra income

So, what can you do? Try these 11-second job ideas on for size and see if any of them appeal:

Virtual Assistant

To become a virtual assistant you’ll need an internet connection, a phone and great organisational skills. Expect to respond to emails and phone calls, book meetings, manage contacts and create spreadsheets. In short, anything a traditional PA might do for their boss.

Taxi driver

Since Uber came along and disrupted the licenced cab industry, it’s far easier to offer transport services. Provided you have a car and a clean licence you can register with a rideshare app and begin taking paying customers. You get to set your hours too – choose when you work and simply toggle your settings off when you’re busy.

Fast food delivery driver

Much like Uber, Just Eat and Deliveroo have transformed the fast food market and now it’s easy to dip your toes when it suits you. If you’re not keen on taking strangers in your car, delivering food instead can be a great way to earn some extra money while retaining the flexibility you need.

Dog walker

The UK is a nation of animal lovers, but even if people treat their dogs like family members, not everyone has the time to walk them. With sites like Rover and Wag Walking it’s easier than ever to find clients and you can get paid quickly and easily with electronic invoicing too.

Start your own business

Whether you’ve gained enough work experience and eventually want to be your own boss or you have got a passion you’d like to turn into a paying gig, starting your own business can be an adventure.

There are plenty of options to help you streamline your business operations. From finding the right point of sale system to choosing payment terminals, you can get up and running in no time.

Proofreader

If you love reading and you’re a stickler for proper grammar, you could pick up a few extra hours of work each week proofreading everything from reports and essays to short stories. Having good GCSE English, A Levels or a degree in a related field such as journalism or digital media will give you a distinct advantage here. Sign up to freelancing sites such as Upwork or Fiverr to find work.

Work in a cafe or a bar

If you simply want a bit of supplemental cash and love the hustle and bustle, a few shifts in a bar or restaurant could be just the ticket. Hospitality businesses are crying out for staff and you could speak to your manager about tailoring the shifts to fit around your main job.

Become a translator

If you’re lucky enough to speak another language you can put those skills to good use by translating documents professionally. Ideally, you’ll have a degree or can demonstrate high language competency. You’ll need excellent spoken and written skills in English and your other language and you’ll need to meet tight deadlines.

Tutoring

Tutoring can be extremely rewarding – you get to teach someone else your skills to help them level up, and earn money at the same time. There are the more traditional subjects you can offer your services in – maths, English, languages, sciences – but you can teach others any skills you have. Think cake decorating, knitting, yoga, exam prep and so on. Much of it you can teach online these days too using sites like Udemy to reach your audience.

Become an influencer

If you can build an online following in a subject you’re passionate about, you could eventually land sponsorship deals or paid partnerships with businesses operating in a similar arena. It’s not for the faint-hearted though – building an audience takes time and consistent effort with content that attracts attention, but it can be well worth it once you get there.

Design and sell your own t-shirts

If you love clothing, using print-on-demand services to create your own t-shirt line can be a cost-friendly way of getting into fashion. You can easily create an online store and start accepting payments without the huge outlay required if you start from scratch.