Gig Work: The Essential Guide

From freelancing to side hustles, gig work offers numerous ways to earn extra income in the gig economy. If you've wondered how to find a great part-time or hourly opportunity, here’s all you need to know about options for flexible work.

Let’s dive into what it is and how to find gig work that’s personally and financially rewarding.

A gig is a popular term for freelance work. It’s a job that has no long-term commitment. Most gig workers are independent contractors who work part-time or hourly. They decide when and how often they work. Unlike a job you do five days or nights a week, gigs don’t have a regular schedule. You aren’t assigned shifts. You choose your own work hours.

Gig work typically involves short-term, flexible tasks. It offers more autonomy and variety but lacks traditional job benefits like health insurance and job security. Conversely, a job usually refers to long-term employment with a single employer, providing stable income, benefits, and a more structured work environment but less flexibility in terms of hours and types of tasks.

To find gig work, start by exploring popular gig platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit, which connect freelancers with clients seeking short-term services. Additionally, network within your industry through social media and professional networking sites like LinkedIn, and utilize local job boards or community groups. Tailor your profile and proposals to highlight your skills and experience, ensuring you stand out to potential clients.

Gig jobs range from Uber and Lyft drivers to freelance writers and graphic designers. But gig work isn’t limited to driving and business services. You can also find a great gig doing something you love, including companionship caregiving roles.

Companion caregivers for Papa, called Papa Pals, are also gig workers. Papa Pals work in communities across the country supporting Papa Members with things like companionship, help around the house and garden, shopping, errands, and transportation. It’s not a medical or nursing job. People from all walks of life love being Papa Pals.

There are plenty of perks including flexible scheduling, greater control over work-life balance, and the ability to choose the type of work that inspires you most. For Papa Pals, this last point is key. Many choose to become companion caregivers because they enjoy working with people and want to give back to their communities.

Payment varies from gig to gig. Gig work often pays hourly or daily. For example, Papa Pals earn a base rate per hour, plus bonuses and incentives. When bonuses apply, Papa Pals can earn around $22 an hour.

Most people choose gig work because it's flexible work that boosts their income. But their choice of the type of role depends on many things. Besides earning extra money, many people want a job that gives back to their community—a job where they can use their life experience. For Papa Pals, being a companion caregiver is an opportunity to put their life experience to good use, whether that’s experience running a house and raising a family, volunteering in the community and helping a charity, or at a variety of jobs.

Gig work is highly flexible, and you can usually do them for as long as you want. Many gig workers stay in a role they enjoy for several years while others work seasonally or occasionally. Seasonal gigs include hotels and restaurants during peak periods like the holiday season and summer vacation times.

But gig workers don’t only work based on the needs of the employer or company. They work when they have free time. Teachers, for example, often find gig work during the summer break when schools are closed. Stay-at-home parents can work while their kids are in school and the take the summer off.

Yes, gig work is a great way to see if you enjoy the type of work. It can help you to decide if it’s the right career path for you. Even occasional gig jobs give you hands-on experience, which many employers look for in new, full-time employees. Papa Pals, for example, gain valuable experience in their communities. As a Papa Pal, you can learn skills that are transferable to nearly any career path, including health care.

As a companion caregiver with Papa, you will share your time, life experience and knowledge in ways that really matter. No health care experience or classes are required to become a Papa Pal. If you’re a compassionate, kind-hearted and reliable person who’s ready to put your life experience to work, start working as a companion caregiver.

If you want to become a Papa Pal, you’ll need an ID like a driver’s license or state ID card. Then, Papa will run a background check. (Papa pays for the background check) As soon as you’re cleared, you can start scheduling visits in the Papa Pal app. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to get approved.