How To Work a Full- and Part-Time Job and Avoid Burnout

Working both a full- and part-time job can help you reach your goals, but be careful of burnout. To be successful, you must learn how to manage your work arrangement.

While taking on a full-time job and a part-time job at the same time isn’t easy, it can be a great way to move your career forward by quickly building your skill set. It’s also an option for anyone looking to fulfill financial obligations.

If you find yourself in this situation, be careful. There’s a fine line between advancing your life situation and causing burnout. Burnout is often caused by an overwhelming workload, and can lead to exhaustion and irritability. It’s something to proactively avoid.

In this article, we offer several tips to help you maintain balance and health as you simultaneously manage full-time employment and part-time work. You’ll also read about what causes burnout and how to identify the symptoms. Be sure to check out our helpful FAQ about full-time and part-time jobs to help you make an informed decision on your path forward.

Reasons for working a full- and part-time job

Let’s define “full-time work” before getting too far ahead. While standards vary by country, in the United States, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines a full-time worker as an employee working 130 hours in a month—or 30 hours per week. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay for nonexempt employees clocking in more than 40 hours per week (regardless of the type of job).

The number of hours worked often impacts whether you qualify for employee benefits like health care. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act requires many employers to provide health insurance to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

The average number of hours worked varies based on location. In Canada, the standard hours for full-time employees is 40 hours each workweek. Some full-time workers in the Netherlands average less than 30 hours each week.

Regardless of where you live, a full-time job is a significant commitment of time and energy. However, more than 4 million Americans work a primary full-time job and a secondary part-time job.

Why do so many people work two jobs? Many, especially in times of rising inflation and fears of a recession, are simply trying to make ends meet. Other reasons may include:

• Saving for the future. Some full- and part-time workers want to better prepare for retirement or protect themselves from financial uncertainty.
• Enjoying the work. People who enjoy their work may seek additional opportunities to do what they love.
• Paying off debt. Maybe you can make ends meet with just one job, but you take on a second role to pay off debt more quickly.
• Gaining additional experience. Working a second job may be a viable option if you want to move into a new field or build your resume.
• Buying something special. If you’re saving up for a big purchase, working a second job may help you get the funds together faster.

Whatever your reason for working two jobs, don’t sacrifice your health and well-being in the process. Let’s dig into the definition, causes, and symptoms of burnout so you know the signs.

What is burnout?

The American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of Psychology defines burnout as a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion. Burnout often results in lower levels of motivation, decreased performance, and negative feelings about oneself and others. A recent survey revealed that 6 in 10 American workers currently experience some degree of burnout.

Burnout has a number of potential causes, including (but not limited to):

• Too much (of the wrong) work. Many people assume burnout is caused by overwork. While this can certainly be a factor, a growing amount of research suggests you’re more likely to feel burned out when you don’t have a sense of the impact your work is producing.
• Feeling too little control. Some individuals may burn out when they don’t feel like they have any control over their schedule or workload.
• Little to no recognition. You’re less likely to burn out when you feel your work is appreciated and validated.
• Low sense of belonging. Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging in their workplace. Without that cohesion, the odds of burnout quickly increase.
• Having poor work-life balance. It’s easy to bring stress from work into your personal life. Once this starts to impact your relationships and leisure time, burnout may be on the horizon.

Those beginning to experience burnout may notice symptoms like:

• Low energy. Those suffering from burnout may find that simple tasks take more time to complete. They may also feel constantly tired.
• Lack of motivation. You may struggle to feel passionate about your work, and you may have a hard time engaging with activities outside of work.
• Depression. Burnout has a similar impact as depression on your mental health, although they have different causes and are not the same condition.
• Physical ailments. Some people feel headaches and muscle tension as a result of burnout.

While burnout is a serious condition, there is still hope for treatment and future prevention. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage burnout.

Why burnout is a serious consideration when working two jobs

Being both a full- and part-time worker means you have fewer hours for rest and self-care. Developing a work-life balance can be quite challenging in these situations since you have very little time to recharge. Your productivity may drop, and you may struggle to cope with the stress you feel from your responsibilities.

Burnout can be physically hard on your body, and you may start getting sick more often. You may reach a point where you need to rest and stop working altogether.

However, some people can’t take an extended break. If you reach a point where you feel burned out, you might have to look for ways to recover while still on the job.

People who aren’t burned out—but want to avoid reaching that point in the future—can take additional preventative steps.

Having a work-life balance helps you excel professionally and stay energized. This balance is especially important for independent contractors and self-employed individuals who must proactively manage their own work schedule; and protect themselves from working too much.

In the next section, we’ll cover five tips that will help you effectively manage your responsibilities while still prioritizing your own health and well-being.

5 tips to manage a full- and part-time job effectively

The following five tips will help you manage multiple jobs while avoiding burnout. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it represents a good start.

1. Know your personal and professional goals
2. Stay organized in everything you do
3. Look for ways to be more efficient
4. Take time off
5. Remember to stay flexible

1. Know your personal and professional goals

Having a strong understanding of your personal and professional goals will help you focus on your top priorities—and enable you to do your best work.

Start by identifying your overall purpose. Ask yourself questions like: “What do I really want?” and “What’s most important to me?” Think about what you want the future to look like, and work backward to create steps that will help you get where you want to go.

Feeling added stress from keeping a second job a secret from a primary employer is pretty common. If this stress is caused by fears that you might be terminated from your full-time role because of your second job, it may be worth asking if the part-time job is appropriate.

However, being open about your second job can help you feel less overwhelmed. It removes any guilt you might have about keeping secrets or fears that you might be caught. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about making up excuses when you have scheduling conflicts.

How open you are with anyone about what you do in your free time is largely a personal choice. But keep in mind that some employers require their workers to sign a noncompete clause. Ensure you don’t have such an agreement in place before pursuing a second job.

2. Stay organized in everything you do

You can’t (and shouldn’t) put your personal life on hold—even when you have two jobs. Since you don’t have as much free time, take extra steps to stay organized and ensure your personal and professional tasks are complete. Possible ideas include:

• Tracking progress. This will provide a sense of accomplishment by measuring the tasks you finish and showing you when you’re most productive.
• Creating to-do lists. Write down everything you need to do and organize the list based on the most urgent or high-priority tasks.
• Using a calendar. Keeping track of scheduled meetings and events will keep you aware of what you have coming up, so you don’t miss any appointments or obligations.
• Keeping your environment clean. Maintaining a neat and tidy workspace will eliminate distractions and help you remain comfortable while you’re working.

3. Look for ways to be more efficient

You can’t create more time, but you can look for ways to be more efficient with your time. Limit how long you spend on nonessential activities that don’t contribute to your goals.

For example, many people can save time on commuting if their employer allows them to work from home.

Looking for more ways to boost your efficiency? Consider these ideas:

• Set a timer. Also referred to as the Pomodoro Technique, this strategy can boost efficiency and improve time management by creating an additional sense of urgency to block distractions and finish your work.
• Outsource household tasks. If you’re willing to spend a little extra money, you can outsource chores like laundry, house cleaning, and yard work.
• Learn to say no. Being a full- and part-time employee simultaneously means you must develop the ability to turn down more opportunities—as hard as that may be.

4. Take time off

Work-life balance can be at stake when working two jobs. Time off helps you rest and enjoy life so you can return to work energized and motivated.

Remember that not all time off is created equal. Here are some tips to help you reap the greatest benefits from your time off work:

• Pay attention to your body. Perhaps taking a nap or lying on the couch is the best way to spend your time off. Maybe you prefer to go for a run or spend time outside. Use your downtime to do whatever your body needs in the moment.
• Complete personal tasks. Your time off may include tasks like running errands, changing your car’s oil, or cleaning the house. While these activities aren’t entirely fun or relaxing, doing them will give you peace of mind—and allow you to relax.
• Disconnect. Physical time off won’t make much difference if you don’t mentally disengage.  To truly disengage, give yourself a break from work emails and instant messages.

5. Remember to stay flexible

No matter how hard you work to create the perfect plan, the unexpected may still happen. In situations like this, it helps to be creative with your time and resources to complete the most important tasks.

Here are a few more ideas that could help:

• Monitor your stress. All jobs produce some stress, but you must decide how much you can handle (especially over the long term).
• Don’t neglect relationships. Working multiple jobs can strain your key relationships. Continue to carve out time in your schedule for family members and friends.
• Know when to stop. Working two jobs might only be something you can do temporarily. Perhaps you need to develop an exit plan if you reach a point where being a full- and part-time employee simultaneously is no longer a viable option for you.

You may also find that leaving some white space or margin in your work schedule allows you to respond to urgent concerns without throwing off the rest of your to-do list or schedule. This is crucial when trying to manage full- and part-time employment at the same time.

FAQ: Full- and part-time jobs

Explore this quick FAQ for insights on the advantages, disadvantages, expectations, and differences between working a part-time and full-time job.

Full-time vs. part-time jobs

Working a full-time or part-time job—or a combination—has pros and cons. While there’s no set rule, full-time employment generally appeals to people interested in job security, benefits, and career advancement within a company. Comparatively, part-time work can be attractive to those wanting more time for personal pursuits, reduced stress, and greater focus on their overall well-being. 

Comprehensive benefits can be a significant advantage of full-time jobs, with packages that include health insurance, retirement plans (such as 401Ks), paid leave, tuition assistance, and more. Other benefits include better chances of a stable income, plus more opportunities for career advancement and professional development. 

Yet, full-time jobs have downsides. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging, especially if the company culture includes putting in much overtime; inflexible schedules limit your ability to handle personal life matters during work hours. If you’re thinking about working two full-time jobs, maintaining a work-life balance, being mindful of your health, and avoiding burnout become even more critical. 

Part-time positions, in contrast, usually provide greater flexibility and give you more time to focus on other commitments like education, family, or personal time. They may reduce job-related stress and burnout while supporting an active lifestyle with more time for exercise and pursuing hobbies. Conversely, your income can be unpredictable if your hours aren’t guaranteed, and part-time workers are often paid less per hour than their full-time counterparts, a gap partly due to greater access to employer-provided benefits and opportunities for promotions and wage growth for full-time workers.

Keep in mind that your decision on whether to work a full-time or a part-time job, or a combination, depends on your personal goals and the jobs themselves. For example, if you work a full-time job that regularly offers paid overtime, you should decide whether or not it’s better to stick with one job and take the overtime instead of trying to juggle a second job. If you’re considering working two part-time jobs, avoid stressful scheduling conflicts by getting jobs with set hours.

Can I work a second job while working full-time?

Many people successfully manage to work both a full-time and part-time job, but it requires careful planning. There are several considerations to keep in mind.

Company policy 

Check your primary job's employment contract (if you have one), your employee handbook, and local regulations. Some companies have clauses restricting you from taking secondary employment if there's a conflict of interest. Ethical considerations are important, especially if you work in a field where confidentiality or intellectual property are concerns.

Be aware that even if your company policy doesn't explicitly prohibit second jobs, your employer may raise concerns if a second job impacts your ability to perform your primary job duties. Let’s say, for example, your job is in the medical field and requires you to be rested and alert to minimize the chance of errors. If your second job keeps you from getting adequate, restful sleep, it could interfere with your ability to fulfill your primary job safely.

Time management 

Working two jobs can be physically and mentally exhausting. Consider whether you’ll have time for sleep, relaxation, and personal life. Include commute times if you’re commuting to both jobs, along with the associated costs. In some situations, looking for a remote second job may be advantageous. Additionally, balancing your time between two jobs can be challenging. Scheduling overlaps may arise depending on the job types and requirements, which could lead to more stress and burnout.

Health 

Adequate rest, nutrition, and stress management are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health. If you take a second job, plan your time to get the sleep and exercise you need. And while fast food and vending machines may seem like time savers, focus on getting nutritious food that fuels your body instead of relying on less healthy choices.

Future career impact 

Working two jobs might dilute your focus, potentially impacting your career growth or specialization in one field.

Tax implications 

Additional income from a second job may affect your tax situation, such as pushing you into a higher tax bracket. Talk with an accountant or a financial planner, or do your own research to understand how to manage withholdings and help avoid surprises at tax time.

Do I have to tell my employer about a second job?

Maintaining professionalism and integrity at your primary job is crucial. Before you decide on taking a second job, carefully review potential implications. As mentioned in the previous subsection, an employment contract or company policy may preclude you from working another job. Some employers may require disclosure and even approval before you accept outside work.

You should also be aware of local labor laws before you make a decision. In some jurisdictions there may be no obligation to inform your employer if you take a second job as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties or violate agreements.

Generally, a good rule of thumb is to disclose your second job if you have any doubt about the legalities or ethics. Disclosure can prevent potential issues down the line.

Can I be on two payrolls at the same time?

Yes, you can be on two payrolls simultaneously, but there are several considerations to keep in mind. They include what we’ve already highlighted, such as employment contracts and policies, regulations regarding dual employment in some jurisdictions, and tax implications.

Check each company’s policies and your local labor laws. Consult with a legal expert for peace of mind. As the saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Where can you find quality full and part-time jobs?

If you’re hunting for a full- or part-time job, you have several places to look. Many people use job boards or attend career fairs during their job search. Contacting professional organizations in the fields you’re interested in is also a good idea.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to find employers open to their employees working full- and part-time positions simultaneously and can offer flexibility to suit your personal lifestyle.

Upwork maintains an extensive database of open full-time positions and independent talent work opportunities. You have plenty of options to consider that match your interests, passions, and skills.