Additional work besides full-time job

[Stqx]

Hello guys,

I am a university graduate (MA in business studies) from Europe (so please excuse my English) and started working full-time right after finishing my studies some years ago. Actually I really enjoy my occupation; it’s paid quite well, I can learn a lot and got already promoted some months ago. However, it’s basically a nine-to-five job which doesn't give much possibility to work overtime and top-management does definitely not reward (financially and/or non-financially) extra work. I am currently waiting for a (promised) further promotion which will happen within the next 6-8 months. While I see myself in a different company within the next 2-3 years (basically because of this lack of reward/motivation), I definitely want to wait for this second promotion.

So, that is the background story. My question would be: I am motivated and eager to work. I also want to earn more money. As this is not possible with my full-time job, I considered doing some additional (project) work during my free time. However, I'm not quite sure where to start. While I'm actually really good at my job and have a lot of experience working with Excel and some other work-related programs, I am not sure whether a) my available skills are needed on the market (or are anyway not that unique) and b) what I can actually offer ...
I enjoy working with Excel (and am very good at it), I enjoy doing calculations and analyses (work-related experience), I enjoy thinking about financials, business and I like consulting and controlling. But due to my lack of actual work experience within some of these fields, I wonder what I can offer potential "customers". Besides I also considered doing some - non-work-related - additional training courses (eg. accounting, etc.) during my free-time ... Are my goals actually completely unrealistic? Do you have any hints or advice what I should do?

Thanks in advance!!

[hokiegb]

Hi! I just started my own side hustle recently, and there are certainly a lot of possibilities to choose from.

I have not done it, but I know there are services (elance, for one) where you can get job-by-job computer work if that's your thing. Or you could always put up an ad on Craigslist offering to teach people Excel.

Really, you need to evaluate: 1) What are you very good at, and 2) What are people willing to pay for? Then see where those intersect and figure out how you would make that pay you. Then check the legal and regulatory rules for pursuing that (for example, you need a license to manage property for other people).

You seem like you've got some drive, which is good, so channel that into studying yourself and your area and figuring out how YOU can offer something that people want to pay for. Good luck!

[Retired To Win]

In your shoes, my first thought would be to go on Google and see if I can find any employment/referral services that could get me  Excel or other pc work.

My second thought would be to think outside the box of what I do at the job, and see if I don't have other marketable skills besides what I use at the job. (Like, for example, being able to read and write English quite fluently which might open the door to translation work.)  And go back to Google and do another search!

[Retire-Canada]

. I am currently waiting for a (promised) further promotion which will happen within the next 6-8 months. While I see myself in a different company within the next 2-3 years (basically because of this lack of reward/motivation), I definitely want to wait for this second promotion.

Look for a new job now. You don't have to take anything that is not going to be a significant improvement over what you have now, but there is nothing about what you are saying that makes me think it's worth hanging around a shitty situation for another 2-3yrs just to get a promotion.

If you find a sweet new job it will be a promotion in and of itself. Plus you can be happier in 6 months vs. 3 years.

Good luck!

-- Vik