Should I Sign Up for a Shiftgig?

Shiftgig is a mobile technology company that connects gig economy employees with clients in the food, hospitality, warehouse, retail, sporting event, banquet, travel, education, and experiential marketing industries.

ShiftgigX is for those interested in experiential marketing, promotions, and brand ambassador gigs. These shifts are highly coveted and only for those with previous experience. If you’re one of the lucky chosen few, you can expect to work at special conventions and events.

Overall, the app is for anyone interested in a side hustle and located in one of Shiftgig’s live markets, which currently include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa.

Using the Shiftgig app is perfect for those who value flexibility, or for those who just can’t deal with the horrors of a nine to five desk job.

Shiftgig’s Big Plans

In November 2017, Shiftgig was ranked 62 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and energy tech companies in North America.

This is pretty impressive when you consider that Shiftgig was originally just a jobs board for Chicago-based restaurants.

The app began to evolve as the word spread about its value – filling shifts at a rapid pace with reliable, vetted workers.

Now the company is rapidly expanding and licensing its platform out to markets that have a high demand for gig economy workers.

EZgig was Shiftgig’s charter customer, using its technology to provide fast solutions for its clients. Since then, Shiftgig hasn’t looked back.

So, what makes Shiftgig so successful? According to Vikki Caruso, Shiftgig’s VP of Human Resources: “Our marketplace gives employers access to workers they couldn’t normally reach. If you’re a small-business owner in need of additional help, you typically need to spend a lot of time finding and vetting people. With us, all you need to do is put your openings on the app.”

In 2018, Shiftgig Got Big

In December 2017, Shiftgig was chosen as Innovator of the Year by HR Dive, a leading industry news publisher. “A whole new ecosystem of jobs and job-doers is emerging. Shiftgig, our winner of Innovator of the Year, saw the potential in this new paradigm and ran with it,” said Kathryn Moody, Editor for HR Dive.

This marks the first win for Shiftgig in the HR Dive awards and shows the impact the company has made. Last year, Shiftgig hit several important milestones:

• Shiftgig Specialists have now worked more than 500,000 shifts, including coveted events like the World Series and at major retailers across the U.S.
• More than 40,000 Specialists have been pre-vetted by the Shiftgig team and are available today for one-time shifts and longer engagements.
• More than 2,600 businesses use Shiftgig today, including leading companies across food service, hospitality, retail, warehouse, and experiential marketing.

Okay, You’re Sold. So How Does Shiftgig Work?

Let’s start with the relatively simple application process. Download the app on your Apple or Android device and follow the prompts to complete your application.

The Shiftgig Application Process And Interview

From there, if your experience lines up with its current hiring needs, you’ll receive a request for either a group, phone, or video interview.

After the interview, if you are approved, you will receive… more paperwork!

Don’t worry, it’s the good kind: your onboarding paperwork, which you can fill out online. In the meantime, you’ll submit information for the company to process a background check. If all goes well, and you are approved at that point—voila! You will soon receive a welcome email.

Congratulations, you are now free to start browsing jobs on the mobile app.

Shiftgig Requirements

You’ll need a bit of industry experience (especially if you are applying for the ShiftgigX section).

You must live near one of their supported markets, be at least 18 years old, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Plus, you’ll need an iPhone or Android phone to conduct business and accept jobs within the application.

Earnings On Shift

When using Shiftgig, you are paid weekly via direct deposits.

They also partner with DailyPay, a financial tech company that allows you to withdraw payments the day after your hours are confirmed—up to nine days before payday.

It is worth noting that gigs booked through ShiftgigX are not eligible for DailyPay. The majority of the gigs offer competitive hourly rates with respect to each individual market; however, rates differ per venue, client, and the position you are booked for. There is no maximum or minimum. You control how many shifts you take on per week.

Is Working For Shiftgig For You?

These gigs are best for those who are looking for supplemental income.

Like most of the gig economy, it is difficult (but not impossible) to rely on one app or company to make a decent living – or to expect weekly stability. With that said, if you have any experience in the gig economy, you already know that these companies often reward those workers that pick up the most shifts (and pick them up quickly).

So, if you plan to subsidize a freelance career in which you work frequently, then congratulations are in order. The downside is that you may be passed over for some Shiftgig jobs as the app awards those who complete the most work for it. This, unfortunately, can create a bit of a catch-22.

In terms of personality and experience, these gigs are great for those who have worked in customer service or anything client facing, particularly the coveted ShiftgigX shifts.

This is also a wonderful career move for those who enjoy seasonal work, or variety and change. In a single week, you may work a catering gig, at a retail convention, and at a sporting event!

This is also a market that truly values those who have a wide range of experience that can be applied to multiple industries, which is a breath of fresh air in a world where we see so many specialized and pigeonholed careers.

So, what do you think? Do you value the freedom to control your schedule and environment? If so, give Shiftgig a try!