Pair the Job Search with Underemployment to Keep Your Head Above Water

Over the months, I have taken on some part-time jobs to earn what I can while trying to find permanent full-time employment. Like many other workers in this recession, I have resorted to something called “underemployment.” In this case, it means taking on additional hours or part-time jobs.

 

One of my underemployment positions has me teaching courses at a local business skill development center. Given my many years of teaching sales and technical folks in all manner of courses, I find this enjoyable, straightforward work. I’ve been leveraging this teaching relationship to find similar opportunities. But full-time work in that vein requires more certifications, which cost time and money. I’d rather use my time -- a precious commodity -- to focus on the job search and full employment.

 

While underemployment can meet a (hopefully) short-term financial need, there is a psychological component that accompanies this type of work. Being underutilized in the world of work can be crushing from an intellectual standpoint; particularly when you have spent years educating and improving yourself in a business discipline.

 

To balance this unfulfilling period, you can take steps to stay on top of your discipline. Do research online, read industry journals or join a professional society. For example, I joined the Project Management Institute society while being certified for PMP. Professional societies can offer relevant seminars and provide a forum for thoughtful discussions. Down the road I am confident that this professional self-improvement will pay off in the form of potential work connections.

 

When you’re underemployed it feels as if one foot is in a warm inviting bath, while your other foot remains on the cold hard tile floor. You don’t belong in one spot or the other. While using some of your skills can get the bills paid, this work doesn’t quite envelop and reward you, like a full bath. For some of my friends, their underemployment involves work that isn’t even related to their professional field. One public relations director is working part-time as a restaurant hostess. A creative director I know mans the customer service desk at a hobby store. Their big toes aren’t even in the warm bath water.

 

Naturally, you want to find interim underemployment that is in your field. Who knows? It may lead to a full-time position. A few members of my job search networking group have started various consulting assignments that leverage their areas of expertise. While these temporary work arrangements offer intellectual stimulation, my colleagues know they could be let go at a moment’s notice. Conversely, they have the flexibility to leave the consulting assignment should they land a full-time opportunity. It works both ways. For these experts doing the consulting work, it feels like they’re in the bath up to their waist.

 

Is underemployment playing a role in your job search?

 

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