It’s not a nice feeling to find your account balance low at the end of the month. If managing your budget properly and watching what you spend are not enough, a part-time job may relieve the pressure on your finances and simplify your budget planning. Or perhaps you’re saving up for something you’ve had your eye on for some time – maybe a long trip or a new car. A part-time job might be a good option.

Interested in a part-time job? You’re not alone

If taking on another job on top of your main employment seems a little strange, rest assured that many people feel exactly the same way. According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, almost 8% of Swiss people in employment hold more than one job (The link will open in a new window multiple employment in Switzerland, 2017). This means that 1 in 13  people work for more than one employer. A third of these people work on a full-time basis in their main job. This puts Switzerland above average compared to other European countries – the number of people holding several jobs has risen significantly here over recent years.

These sectors are popular for part-time work.

Anyone wishing to find out what’s going on in the world of part-time work in Switzerland to gain inspiration for their own part-time job should take a look at the statistics as they provide quite a good insight – almost 90% of people in employment who hold a second job work in the services industry. Around half of these part-time jobs are in the “education”, “healthcare and social services”, “private households as an employer”, “retail and repairs” and the “provision of other services” sectors. Demand for labour is also greatest in these fields of employment.

How can you find a part-time job? First of all, consider what types of job you could do.

There is a wide range of jobs that can be done to provide extra income. Before applying, you should consider the following three questions:

• What skills do you possess?
• What would you find sufficiently motivating?
• What does the part-time jobs market have to offer?

A small role in a promotion team, a temporary job in a bar or perhaps doing the shopping for other people? You can quickly find what you are looking for on part-time job sites. Call agent vacancies, for example, are often advertised. This is a good option as little prior knowledge is required and part-time employment can quickly be found outside of normal office hours. There are also lots of other part-time jobs that can be carried out from a home office with flexible working hours. The relevant specialist websites are the best place to look for this kind of vacancy.

But if you don’t have any luck there, don’t simply give up. Many other jobs are not advertised on the main job sites and have to be found in a different way. Use your personal network and your circle of friends. Around 70% of jobs are secured through The link will open in a new window networking (in German).

Things to consider when taking part-time jobs

Regardless of what kind of part-time job you do, you must be aware what else earning additional income entails. There are also some downsides to earning secondary income. If you take on an extra job in addition to your main employment, you also have to pay more tax on your income. You therefore need to check whether the additional earnings puts you into a higher tax bracket. You need to work out whether it’s worth giving up your time in your particular case if this results in extra tax liability.

It’s also important to discuss your part-time role with your current employer. They cannot generally prevent you from taking on another job in addition to your main one, provided your performance at the workplace does not significantly deteriorate and you don’t work for the competition.

Part-time jobs are worth considering

It’s advisable to take a close look at your situation before taking on a second job. It has to be worthwhile financially and improve your bank balance. Part-time work may also help you to save up for something in the short term, like a holiday or a big-ticket item.

Besides the financial implications, a part-time job should also ideally be enjoyable. If you dedicate seven to ten hours a week on average to securing secondary income and give up your hard-earned leisure time, it has to be for something you like doing. This makes earning a bit of extra money easier.