Saving Six Figures by Doubling My Workload: A Year of Remote Job Juggling

In 2020, amid the chaos of the pandemic, I found myself taking on two full-time HR positions, both of which were entirely remote. This decision was driven by the abundance of time and lack of social activities, which sparked the thought, 'Why not?' One year into this hectic yet rewarding endeavor, I amassed savings exceeding $100,000.

My initial job often left me with spare time after completing my responsibilities ahead of schedule. The monotony led to an idea one evening while idly watching TV—what if I capitalized on my downtime by adding another full-time role, stealthily operating under the radar?

While I hadn't seen peers juggling two salaried positions, I had heard of freelancers managing multiple projects simultaneously. My intent for the second job was temporary; a mere 90-day stint to boost my finances and eliminate credit card debt before exiting one role. After submitting several applications through LinkedIn, I was able to advance to the final selection for two opportunities and chose the more straightforward option, carefully projecting a facade of being ready to leave my initial job.

The plan was for the second role to be an expendable one; my emotional investment was firmly anchored in my longstanding primary role. Both provided six-figure salaries. When I achieved my debt payoff and my secret remained unexposed, I aimed for higher financial goals, setting aside funds for personal milestones like a wedding, honeymoon, and a move to Las Vegas, with savings still intact despite unchanged lifestyle expenditures beyond a slight uptick in dining out.

Navigating the Chaos of Dual Employment

Chaos naturally ensued, especially one incident where I simultaneously attended two meetings. One employer mandated video calls, while the other was lenient, allowing me the liberty of a camera-off session. This setup—two computers at hand—kept my nerves on edge, fearful of an accidental audio crossover between meetings.

Critics occasionally label such maneuvers as greedy or argue I occupied a position another might have filled. Yet my perspective holds firm: fulfillment met contractual obligations, and as long as the job was done, taking multiple positions was justifiable.

Benefits and Downsides of Split Focus

Being employed twice over offered economic security during a tumultuous period marked by widespread job losses among my friends. The logic was simple: should one position dissolve, the other would still stand, effectively becoming a financial safety net.

Occupying dual roles provided a rare form of professional development, exposing me to diverse facets of HR. While one job leaned into training, the other emphasized employee interactions. Such dual exposure enriched my expertise in ways a solitary role could never achieve.

However, the burden was substantial. My daily schedule was crammed with non-stop meetings, from morning through late afternoon across both organizations. Real work commenced only in the evenings, effectively stretching my workday into a 12-to-13-hour marathon, sustained over an entire year. Confused instances of identity—questioning the affiliation of tasks as I switched between companies—were frequent.

The Strain of Time Management

Balancing time off was especially taxing. Pandemic-era travel wasn't a concern, but synchronized leaves from both jobs were a logistical puzzle. Inevitably, a break from one meant continued commitment to the other, devoid of genuine respite.

After twelve intense months, I relinquished the secondary job. Now in a new role, singular and satisfying, I reflect on my prior experience with mixed feelings. Would I advise others to follow suit? Perhaps, if they are free of familial duties.

Yet, it's critical to acknowledge the peril involved. Discovery by one employer of dual employment risks dismissal from both. My covert year might testify to potential success, yet equally might have crumbled within weeks. Weigh the gamble wisely.