Ask a Career Advisor: What Is a Burner Job?

If you like to watch crime dramas, you probably have heard of burner phones – prepaid mobile devices used temporarily for privacy or anonymity and discarded after short-term use (Walter White, anyone?). But what about burner jobs?

“A burner job refers to a temporary or short-term job you take on without the intention of staying long-term or building a career out of it,” said Lori Cole, Certified Career Coach and Advisor at iHire. “People often take burner jobs to earn quick income, fill a gap between more permanent roles, or gain experience while searching for something better.”

Often part-time, temporary, seasonal, or gig economy positions, burner jobs are frequently associated with industries that have high turnover, like retail, food service, and hospitality.

“Typically, burner jobs are interim jobs that don’t align with a candidate’s long-term goals,” Cole continued. “However, a burner job can really be any job you’re not truly passionate about. You may take it reluctantly with plans to leave as soon as you find a more desirable role.”

For example, an employee may want to leave a job as quickly as possible due to a toxic work environment. They are willing to take the first opportunity that arises out of desperation and intend to continue their search for the right fit while they are with the new employer.

“I always tell candidates, ‘The best time to look for a job is when you are employed,’” Cole added. “Taking a burner job gives you some cushioning to seek out your ideal position while you’re still earning a paycheck and gaining career experience.”

How Common Are Burner Jobs?

Just how common are burner jobs? According to a September 2024 iHire survey of 1,544 job candidates, 41.6% of respondents said they had either taken or considered taking a burner job simply for the salary with no intention of staying long-term.

Specifically, 21.9% of candidates said they had actually held a burner job, and 19.7% said they had not but considered it. Meanwhile, 55.3% had never held a burner job, and 3.1% were unsure of their answer.

Should I Take a Burner Job?

“Burner jobs are frequently held by someone who has been laid off or lost their job abruptly, as well as those who urgently want to leave their current employer,” explained Cole. “If those situations apply to you, taking a burner job can be a smart move.”

Cole continued, “Not only can a burner job provide you with a form of income and source of benefits, but it can also equip you with new and transferable skills to apply to your next job when you land it. Plus, you’ll expand your professional network, which is always a good thing.”

Burner jobs can also be advantageous to students, recent or soon-to-be retirees, and people returning to work after a hiatus. For example, a parent rejoining the workforce after spending time caring for their family might take a part-time job to ease back into full-time employment.

Further, today’s economic conditions and rising cost of living are creating a growing interest – and need – for burner jobs. In July 2024, layoffs and discharges in the U.S. reached 1.76 million, the highest monthly total since January 2023, while the unemployment rate hit 4.3% – the highest since October 2021.

“We’re also seeing more workers taking on side jobs for quick money,” said Cole. “Those part-time or gig roles can also be considered burner jobs.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) backs this claim, reporting in August 2024 that 8.2 million people were working multiple jobs in the U.S., accounting for 5.1% of the civilian workforce. Additionally, 4.8 million workers held part-time jobs for “economic reasons,” which is up 600,000 year over year.

The Cons of Burner Jobs

While burner jobs can provide income in a pinch and prevent you from having employment gaps on your resume, they can come with some disadvantages. For instance, many burner jobs fall short when it comes to opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

“Plus, when employees don’t anticipate staying long at a job, they often lack the motivation to perform well and be productive,” Cole explained. “Or, you could burn bridges by quitting so abruptly. These behaviors can come back to bite you if you ever need a reference from your manager or supervisor.”

Burner jobs may also come with inflexible schedules comprising night, weekend, or holiday shifts. Further, remote or hybrid work may not be feasible at all.

“Today’s candidates value flexibility and healthy work/life balances more than ever,” added Cole. “So, consider whether or not you can commit to a burner job’s availability requirements before applying for a role.”

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Should I Put a Burner Job on My Resume?

While burner jobs don’t necessarily carry the same stigma as burner phones, the concept is similar – you get a job for a brief period of time, then leave, like you never held the role in the first place.

“Some people don’t intend to put burner jobs on their resumes or bring them up in job interviews,” said Cole.

But that’s not necessarily good job search advice.

“There are instances where you would list your burner job on your resume, especially if you gained skills and experiences directly related to the job you’re applying for,” Cole added. “However, if you really don’t want to include the specific job on your resume in great detail, you can opt for a functional resume format that focuses on your skills and downplays your career history.”

You might also include a burner job on your resume if leaving it off would create a large employment gap that could raise questions from employers. Here, it’s best to include the job and explain to employers why you took it.

Nevertheless, leaving a burner job off your resume is best if the job is completely irrelevant to the role you’re applying for, and you have enough pertinent experience without it. You might also leave off a burner job if you only worked it for a very brief period of time.

“A short stint might raise more questions than it answers, and employers might wonder why you left so quickly,” Cole noted.

Lastly, you may leave a burner job off your resume for the sake of length and to avoid cluttering an already packed resume with less relevant or insignificant jobs.

Final Job Search Advice

While everyone’s situation is different, taking a burner or interim job can be an effective means for earning an income and filling gaps in your employment while you search for your ideal position.

“There is no shame in taking a burner job – you may even gain valuable transferable skills and unlock new career opportunities you hadn’t considered or expected,” Cole concluded.

Whether you’re searching for a short-term job or a long-term role that aligns with your career goals and passions, iHire is here to help. Get started by browsing our 57 industry-specific talent communities, or check out our Job Seeker Resource Center for the latest job search tips and tricks.