The benefits of working the third shift are well known: better pay, less competition, less traffic on your commute, and having a more flexible daytime schedule. But just because you’re interested in working third shift doesn’t mean that any overnight job is going to be a good fit.
Before you select a third shift job, consider the following. And if you’re ready to find a new position (third shift or otherwise), reach out to Liberty Staffing in Southern Ontario to get started.
Shift Duration
Ask about the duration of the night shift before you sign on at a new company. Many night shifts are only 8 hours long, but some can be up to 10-12 hours long. These kinds of shifts are more common in jobs that have you come in 4 shifts per week instead of 5.
It is important to know how long you will be expected to work overnight. Even if you’re ready for a third shift position, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your stamina will allow you to work 10-12 hour shifts.
Other people thrive on long shifts because they get more uninterrupted time off during their non-scheduled work days. Inquire about shift duration when you are applying for the position.
Workplace Environment
What kind of workplace environment will you have when you take a new third shift position? Will you be isolated in a quiet and subdued environment where it may be difficult to stay awake? Or will you be able to interact with coworkers in a lively and active workplace?
It is always smart to investigate workplace culture and environment before taking a new job, but it’s especially important to do so when you’re going to work overnights. There are challenges to working overnight that can be made easier(or more difficult) depending on what the workplace is like.
A great way to find out about workplace culture is to talk to someone else who already has a similar job at the company before you accept a job offer.
Specific Responsibilities
Don’t assume that the night shift is identical to the day shift, just at different times. Often, night shift jobs have very different responsibilities from the same position in the daytime.
For example, third shift hotel staff have a very different shift than their daytime counterparts, as do nursing home staff, IT support, security guards, and janitorial staff.
Like with any job, you will want to ask questions about the duties, responsibilities, and protocols of your potential new position. That way, you know what is expected of you and if you are a good fit for this specific kind of night shift work.
Compensation
One of the major reasons why people sign up for shift work is that it is often accompanied by higher pay.
Switching from day shift to night shift may come with a pay bump, but it’s important to find out how much of an increase the job is offering, and if that is enough for you to change your entire schedule. Remember, you are not just working at night; you are also going through the process of training your body to sleep during the day.
If you are going to completely change your natural circadian rhythm, the compensation needs to be worth it!
Childcare Responsibilities
Wherever you have third shift workers, you will find parents of kids. Figuring out how to navigate parenting while working third shifts is a challenge, but it is not impossible. Whether you are a single parent, co-parent, guardian, or partnered parent, you will need to find out how the nighttime work schedule will work with your childcare responsibilities.
Consider morning and nighttime routines, transportation schedules to and from school or daycare, and special events that will be held during your new sleep time or working hours.
Depending on your work schedule, you may be able to join the parents who enjoy leaving work in the morning to go home, get their kids up for breakfast, and take their kids to the bus stop or school every day. Many third shift parents prioritize sleeping during the workday and enjoying late afternoons and early evenings with their kids before heading to work.
It is a good idea to have a plan for how you will navigate these responsibilities while working your new job.
Transportation Challenges
Lots of people love their third shift jobs because they get to avoid the stress or boredom of the daily commute. But what happens if you use public transportation?
Many cities only offer public transportation at certain times of the day, and that may not include the hours that you need to get to work or head home in the morning. Don’t sign up for a third shift job until you have confirmed that you have consistent transportation to and from your workplace.
Interested in a Third Shift Position? Talk to Liberty Staffing
At Liberty Staffing Services, we have been helping job seekers find great jobs for 25 years, and that includes late night work. Third shift work can be a great option for people who want to work across several industries, including warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, and more.
Reach out to us to find out more about how we can help! We have great connections with our community and know about jobs before they are ever posted to the public. Let our team of highly qualified staffing professionals help you land a great new job quickly.
Contact Liberty Staffing today to take the next step toward your new job.
