Should I Tell My Manager I Have a Side Job?

When your current position keeps your schedule open for more opportunities, getting another job might make sense for you. However, it might not make sense to your current employer.

Before you change that relationship from exclusive to open, talk to your manager if it conflicts with your current schedule, if a non-compete applies, or if there’s a chance you’re dealing with confidential information.

Bartending on the weekends or doing contractor work here-and-there is a little different than getting a second job in your field. If a new position doesn’t impact your current one in any way, sharing info about your new job with your manager depends on how involved she is with your career path.

The best thing you can do is to evaluate your priorities. Which position is going to take precedence over the other? If you are keeping your current position as your number one, make it known when you approach your manager. And if not, be prepared to address some question marks.

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Jackie Vermeulen is the founder of The Career Mint. She works closely with mentors and some off-site experts to address the hard-hitting career topics in articles like the one you’re reading now.