As the country recovers, more people are getting back into their communities and back to work. In certain areas the economy is coming back creating quite a variety of opportunities for those individuals seeking part-time work. Workers are reaping benefits like never before as rising wages coming from inflation increase the amounts in worker pockets.
The rebound worldwide has been so intense that shipping ports are reporting cargo ships lined up for miles waiting to dock and unload their cargo. The increased preference for online shopping has created quite a boom for driver and delivery jobs as well. With safety precautions in place and restrictions being eased, it is an opportune time to take a second look at what sort of in-person work engagements are available in your community. We’ve included some options for ‘work from home’ as well.
Writing, Researching and Editing:
Are you good with words? Want something you can do in your spare time from anywhere? Working as an employee or freelance writer or editor can potentially bring in $30/hour. Writing is a great job for creative types or those who like researching. With varying degrees of specialization, you’ll often make specific and focused content. An ability to do good research and generate high-quality explanations will help. You’ll also be responsible for proper grammar and spelling. In this area pay is sometimes by the job rather than by the hour.
Delivery Driver For GoPuff
A startup called GoPuff seeks to compete in speedy home and small-business delivery, taking on the likes of Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Instacart. They sell items you’d mostly find at a convenience store, so the job is simple enough. They operate in over 650 US Cities from over 250 fulfillment centers. With a new round of funding, they are launching an aggressive hiring campaign. Snagajob reports this position as part-time or full-time and suggests earnings up to $30 per hour. There is no overnight travel. You get to sleep at home every night. Indeed reports annual earnings of $62,450 per year for delivery drivers with GoPuff, which is significantly above industry peers. Make sure to do your research for more details about GoPuff jobs.
Pet Taxi Service
This one is not a joke, but viability may depend upon your location. This works especially well in major cities. One company out of New York lists pricing from downtown to the airport at $150 plus tip & tolls. Apparently busy folk or those who don’t have a car may need such a service to bring their pets to vet appointments. It is also worth noting that many traditional cabbies don’t want dogs in their car. Robert De Niro and his Burmese mountain dog have frequently used the service. Janeane Garofalo, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs and Janet Jackson have been customers as well, according to the New York Post.
Newspaper Delivery
What do Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Alan Bean, Warren Buffet, and Tom Cruise all have in common? They all delivered newspapers in their earlier years. This is a very part-time job, usually around 10 hours per-week. Earnings in some cities can reach over $1,800 a month, which is not bad considering that some routes can be completed in just 90 minutes. The postal worker’s creed of, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” shall infringe upon the delivery of the mail is likely applicable to newspaper carriers too!
Pet Sitter
A simple and highly independent job is taking care of people’s pets when they go away. Travel is now on the rise once again, and people will be looking for you to take care of Fido or Mr. Whiskers. Pet sitting is a lovely job with good company on every visit out. Some people even designate one or more rooms in their home to board animals. Boarding is a preferred method for many pet owners whose animals may get nervous and lonely if left for too long. Earnings for pet sitters can also reach $25 per hour.
Deliver Meals or Groceries With Your Own Vehicle
Much like the aforementioned start-up GoPuff, Indeed estimates other similar carriers like DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, and Instacart drivers can expect to earn in the neighborhood of $45,000 – $65,000 per year. These are excellent earnings considering you get to make your own hours, and be your own boss. You will work to deliver food to-go from local restaurants and “ghost kitchens,” or will do people’s grocery shopping for them and then drop it off at their house.
Small Retail Store and Grocery Stores
If you like meeting new people and being around a lot of interesting products and activity, a job at a retail or grocery store may be for you. Many establishments also offer a discount on everything you purchase, which can help cut down on your monthly expenses. Many establishments would be very grateful to have a friendly and honest associate who can provide excellent customer service. Retail stores have some simple jobs too, like working as a cashier, bagging groceries, or greeting customers at the door and helping people find things. Pay has increased nationwide in recent years due to high demand. A customer host for Wal-Mart can now start at $18 per hour or more, and other outlets are paying more too. There’s been quite a labor shortage for grocery stores over the last year. These jobs can also provide great benefits like health, vision, and dental insurance, plus paid time off.
Delivery Driver For a Small-Parcel Carrier
If you want to go for the gold and really boost your earnings, perhaps committing to more than just part-time, then you could consider a delivery job. Drivers are in high demand right now. A documentary was made in 2008 titled Speedy Delivery about the real life of David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely, the delivery man from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The last time you received a package from UPS or FedEx, you may have noticed they were being quite speedy as well. It would appear they earn their keep, because Indeed reports their drivers can earn between $77,000 – $85,000 per year.
Am I Eligible For These Jobs?
You’ll only need a regular driver’s license when driving for GoPuff or the other app-based services. Getting started can be as easy as finding some good offers and filling out a few forms and then await a call back interview. Most of these jobs have no educational or certification requirements and are entry-level. Getting your own business off the ground can also be easier than you think. A simple Doing Business As (DBA) filing with your local county government is often all it takes to get started, and if you use your real name in the business name, it often isn’t required at all.
Conclusion
There are many exciting options for part-time work right now. There are job opportunities suitable for all types of people, regardless of prior experience or driving record. Working independently with GoPuff, DoorDash, or Instacart may provide a good amount of flexibility, have the lowest barriers to entry and are pretty low-stress. Submitting an application online for your local retail or grocery store provides a workplace with more structure as well as opportunities to partake socially with co-workers and customers. Newspaper routes can be quick money in the early hours. Common delivery jobs for small parcels don’t require a commercial driver’s license. You can expect good pay, a wide range of benefits, and a high potential for earnings growth the more you bring to the table.
If you’re looking for flexibility, great pay, and reliable benefits in your part-time work, we hope you’ve been able to find something inspiring within. Make sure to search around to find the best opportunity near you.