Underemployed? How to get more hours

There is good news in the jobs market: in the quarter to November 2012, the number of people in work in the UK reached record levels. You do not need me to tell you, though, that we are a long way from the feel-good factor of the early years of the new millennium returning. In analysing the January unemployment figures, pundits were quick to point out that people were still suffering falling living standards as pay rises almost universally failed to keep pace with inflation. In addition, further news of redundancies and corporate failures have made people feel uncertain about the future. The marketing sector is certainly still feeling the pinch or recession in 2013.

Then there is also the deep and burning issue of underemployment. This means you have employment but you cannot get as many hours as you need or would like. Much of the rise in employment has been attributed to part-time work and the PR, marketing and media sectors have joined many others in this approach. While part-time work may be welcomed by people for whom this kind of flexibility is the determining factor of their job hunt, it is of deep concern to those who cannot get enough hours or would prefer a full-time marketing job.

You are of course entitled to ask your employer for more hours but entitlements count for little if they do not have any work to give you. If this is the case, what can you do if you need to boost your income through more hours?

The self-employment options

Subject to any contractual or practical constraints, you may try to seek out additional work in your own field. For example, if you have a background in marketing communications, perhaps there is scope to find work copywriting.

If you do not have a ready network of people whom you can turn into clients, perhaps you should consider signing up to a freelancers’ site such as People Per Hour. This site, in particular, also has a feature called “Hourlies” which effectively enables you to promote a particular service which you offer for a fixed price and can deliver in a short timeframe. However, given it boasts more than 25,000 members, competition will still be tight.

Alternatively, you may prefer or, indeed, have to find an alternative line. For example, if you have a bent for crafting you may find yourself selling all the additional things you are making in your spare time on sites such as Etsy. Or perhaps you can put your commercial skills to the test by trading on eBay or Amazon.

Double jobbing

This is the classic solution to underemployment. Surer than relying on picking up the odd self-employed assignment, it is also less flexible and you will need good time management skills to juggle two jobs well. As it will inevitably mean shift work, you will need to be clear with both employers what your availability is. Depending on the terms of your different jobs, you may have to face weeks where you have too much to do in the pursuit of having enough. Also, and depending on the detail of your employment contract, you may also have to decide what to do if your current employer raises objections to your taking on a second job.

Keep an eye to the main chance

If neither of the above is an option, then the first thing to do is to ensure that your manager is aware, and remains aware, that you are seeking additional hours if the opportunity arises. For your part, you must be ready and willing to take them on as and when the offer comes your way. Unless it is a sign of an upturn in your employer’s fortunes you cannot presume that the opportunity will come around again soon.

Alternatively, use the spare time to actively seek another marketing job with terms and conditions which better meet your needs. Looking for a job can feel like a job in itself, especially in the current climate, but it will be time well spent.

Volunteer

Yes, I mean it, though I readily admit it is not the right solution if a shortage of cash is your main issue. However, if part of your strategy is to improve your lot by finding a better marketing role, that advances your career, you may speed up the process by adding to your experience and showing you can work at a higher level through volunteering. If you have the flexibility to do so, you may wish to consider schemes such as VSO which offer adventure as well as a chance to boost and refresh your skills.

If you can take advantage of having “time on your hands” who knows what future avenues it may open for you.

Written by Heidi Nicholson

Partner, Richmond Solutions

Contact: Heidi.nicholson@richmondsolutions.co.uk