Multiple Jobholding Motivations and Experiences: A Typology and Latent Profile Analysis

Researchers have traditionally suggested that multiple jobholders (MJHers; individuals who work more than one job) are economically deprived and piece together employment to make ends meet. More recently, scholars have demonstrated that MJHers are also motivated for nonpecuniary benefits. In the current research, we employ a mixed-methods, three-study research design on 1,487 MJHers to develop a comprehensive typology of multiple jobholding (MJH) motivations, advance our understanding of how MJH motivations co-occur through the generation of latent MJH motivational profiles, and test how MJH experiences differ by profile. In Study 1 (N = 801), we content analyze qualitative survey responses and uncover eight motivational categories. In Study 2 (N = 260), we find evidence of four MJH motivational profiles based on motivations found in Study 1: Identity Builders, Value Optimizers, Pragmatic Enjoyment Seekers, and Instrumentalists. In Study 3a (N = 426), we empirically replicate the four-profile solution and conceptually replicate three profiles-instead of Instrumentalists, we find evidence of Precarious Workers. In Study 3b, we develop and test hypotheses as to how MJH experiences pooled across the primary and secondary job differ by profile. Findings suggest there are optimal MJH motivational patterns and that some MJHers (Identity Builders, Value Optimizers) are more likely to experience enrichment than other MJHers (Precarious Workers). Theoretically, we integrate the careers and MJH motivation literature with the enrichment and depletion model of multiple role engagement within one domain (work). Finally, we discuss practical implications for MJHers, managers, and organizations.