What Is a Gig Job?

What is a gig job and how can I find a great one?

From freelancing to side hustles, there are dozens of new 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 how to find gig work that’s personally and financially rewarding.

A gig job is a popular term for freelance work. It’s a job, contract or role 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, gig jobs don’t have a regular schedule. You aren’t assigned shifts. You choose your own work hours.

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. Many gig jobs are paid hourly or daily. For example, Papa Pals earn a base rate per hour, plus bonuses and incentives. When bonuses apply, Papa Pals can earn close to $20 an hour.

Most people choose gig jobs 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 jobs are 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 work a gig job 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, working a gig job 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. Gig jobs also 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, take the next step and learn more.

Click here to apply. 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.

We’re excited that you want to be a Papa Pal! Click here to apply.