Best Survival Jobs for Models
You won’t get modeling jobs that pay well and launch your career right off the bat. Really, landing the perfect jobs takes time and patience. So, while you are waiting to make it through the next stage of your modeling career, you might need to take on some other jobs that will help you stay afloat financially. You do not have to take on gigs that make you uncomfortable or don’t pay you what you are worth. But some jobs can have their perks and will keep you working and busy while you build up your modeling career.
We will talk about some of the best survival jobs for models here in this post. These jobs will provide you with the money you need to pay your bills, and give you time to search for modeling gigs!
Top Survival Jobs for Models:
1. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is one of the best survival jobs for new and aspiring models. As a freelance writer, you have the freedom to work at any time you want, in any location. Most freelance writers write from home and set their own hours. So, this is perfect for models who need time to go to casting calls and meet with agencies. In addition, freelance writing is the perfect way to advertise yourself and share your experiences as a model. If you start a blog, you can profit off your writing this way as well! Overall, this is a great way to expose yourself to the industry!
2. Substitute Teacher
If you are not into writing though, you could also try out substitute teaching. Substitute teachers make good money and have pretty flexible hours as well. Again, as a model, you want time to yourself to launch your modeling career. Teaching part-time gives you this freedom, and it provides you with financial security! Teaching won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy working with kids this could be a good alternative job for you. So definitely give it a go!
3. Fitness Instructor
Fitness instructors also have pretty manageable hours. This will depend on what gym you instruct in of course. But overall, this is a fun and well-paying job that can even help further your modeling career. More high-end gyms have a diverse clientele that can help connect you with the entertainment industry. Really, gyms are full of interesting people, and you never know who you could meet when you are instructing! You also get the chance to stay fit and stay focused on your fitness and nutrition. So you are killing two birds with one stone!
4. Virtual Assisting
Virtual assisting is another good remote job you can do as you build up your modeling portfolio. As a virtual assistant, you can work from the comfort of your own home. You can also take control of your schedule much easier than conventional bartending and office jobs. It is not hard managing these types of jobs. Virtual assistants typically manage companies’ emails, scheduling, phone calls, and even social media accounts. Each assisting job is different, but you end up doing basic and easy to complete tasks.
5. Nanny/Babysitter
If you are good with kids, try out nannying or babysitting. Not everyone is suited to this type of job. But taking care of kids can be super lucrative. You probably won’t have your nights to yourself with a babysitting job. But, if you are more focused on building up your modeling career, this should not be an issue.
6. Temp Work
Temporary work, or temp work, usually involves working in an office setting. You won’t get a ton of hours, as you work part-time. However, you are paid well above minimum wage and you are free during the nights. Some temp jobs will even let you take an hour off if you need to go to a modeling gig. Really, this is another ideal option for models. And, you get to choose what hours or what days you want to work, as you are only working temporarily for companies. Make sure you can type fast though. Most temp jobs require fast typing for data entry!
7. Dog Walking/Sitting
If you want a job that is low stress and offers great money, dog walking is a great survival job choice for models. This is not the most exciting job of course. However, if you like animals, and don’t have a lot of work experience, it is pretty easy to get hired as a dog walker, or even a dog sitter. People pay well to have their animals taken care of. And, you can find a job as a dog sitter or walker in almost any city or town.
8. Tutoring
Tutoring has a lot of options and versatility for models. As a tutor, you can tailor your services to your skills and schedule. Whether you are proficient in music, art, math, writing, or science, you can help instruct your students on your own time and in any subject you want. In addition, tutoring can be done virtually or in person, so this adds more flexibility to your work! Tutoring is a great side gig as you learn the ropes of the modeling industry. So we highly recommend looking into this as a survival job option!
9. Driver
With apps like Uber and Lyft, you don’t need to be hired by a taxi service to start a job as a driver. Really, it’s easier than ever to make money while driving other people around. You can turn on your app at any time you want and start making money.
10. Food Delivery
If you are not interested in driving other people around though, there are other options for you. Apps like Uber Eats and goPuff allow you to make money while you drive, but instead of driving people around, you can deliver food. This is another convenient solution for models that need time to figure out their careers and get to casting calls and auditions.