As the holidays approach, are you strapped for cash? There’s nothing worse than being unable to take part in the season’s festivities due to a lack of funds. Buying presents, going out for a night on the town, and paying for a dinner all require money and if it’s in short supply, then you will have to miss out on these experiences.
However, just because your boss doesn’t pay you enough, doesn’t mean that you can’t afford to make ends meet this festive season. Have you considered taking on a part-time job? Earning additional income through a part-time occupation is a great way to boost your bank balance and help you have a happy festive season.
Driving for a ride-sharing service like Uber is a viable earning opportunity that is open to everyone that meets the driver criteria. Here are three benefits of driving for Uber during the holidays and a few tips on how you can make your driver profile stand out from others.
Three Reasons Why You Should Drive for Uber
1. Ditch Your Boss
Are you tired of being told what to do? Escape the crutches of your job and earn a secondary income that you can control. No supervisor is overseeing your time behind the wheel; you choose when and where you want to work. Feel like taking a week off? That’s no problem when you drive for Uber, just turn the app on again when you decide you want to drive.
2. Earn Income
The best thing about driving for Uber is the extra cash. You won’t have to be left with no spending money for the holidays, all you need to do is switch to your app to start earning. Think about all of the gifts you could buy and places you could visit if you had a little extra cash flow this festive season.
3. Flexible working Hours
Work when you want for however long you choose. There is no time-card with Uber; you work when you feel like driving. If you have a full-time job, then you can still moonlight in the evenings for a few hours.
Registering for Uber
Registering as a driver for Uber is a relatively painless and hassle-free process. A new driver must undergo a three-stage vetting process before they can accept passenger fares. The first step is completing the registration form, the second is an insurance validation, and the third step is a vehicle inspection. How long does Uber background check take? Not long at all, the vetting process should be completed within seven working days of your application.
3 Tips for New Uber Drivers
The Uber app uses a review system to rate their drivers. Passengers are asked to rate their experience in your ride using a five-star system. This rating system is the key to your success as an Uber driver. If a prospective passenger has an option for two different Ubers, they will pick the driver with the higher rating, even if it means waiting a little longer. Here are three tips you can implement to ensure that you receive a five-star rating with every fare.
1. Be Polite
Always address your passengers by their title and do not be offended if they do not shake your hand, people can be afraid of germ transfer. Keep smiling throughout the trip and never drive aggressively, or use profanity toward other drivers on the road.
2. Dress to Impress
Your passenger will form their impression of you within the first three seconds that they lay eyes on you. Therefore; you must dress to impress, especially if you are driving for the Uber premium services. A button down shirt and smart jeans are satisfactory for regular Uber drivers, but UberX or Uber Black drivers should consider wearing a suit.
3. Do More and Receive More
Try to add value to your service wherever you can. Keep cold bottles of water and soda in your car for thirsty passengers. Offer them a power-bank to charge their device, (this one works great for collecting airport fares, almost everyone needs to charge their phone after a flight.) The more you offer, the better your review will be.
Wrapping Up
Keep your wallet and your mind happy this festive season by driving for Uber. You already drive a car, so why not put it to use to make you money? With low barriers to entry and a broad market base, you have the chance to earn more income while meeting new people. Sign up for Uber today and start making your fares from the first ride!
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Photo: Getty Images