The sharing economy has reshaped the way we do nearly everything these days. Its most common definition is the “trending business concept that highlights the ability (and perhaps the preference) for individuals to rent or borrow goods rather than buy and own them,” a trend made simpler with the advent of mobile technology. From renting out rooms in our homes to traveling strangers via sites like AirBnB to hiring strangers to host our dogs while we’re away through sites like DogVacay, “collaborative consumption” is allowing us to make money renting out our possessions and services to others, all with the help of the internet and smartphones. Perhaps the most common and mainstream example of such an economy is Uber, the ride-sharing mobile app that has literally reinvented the way we travel in cities across the world.
Essentially, Uber allows people to use their vehicles as cabs, giving them the flexibility to make money using a car that would otherwise just be sitting around, idle. And, while there are stipulations (for example, Uber only uses vehicles manufactured after a certain year), a clean driving record and a smartphone is all you need to become an Uber driver. Unsurprisingly, applying for the position is done entirely through the company’s website, which begins by asking you for your location. After that, applicants are walked through the process step-by-step, guided by Uber’s three biggest selling points: make good money, drive when you want, and “no office, no boss.” Documents required for the job application include a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and tax forms. Generally speaking, an approved applicant can expect to get hired within a week and are free to begin as soon as they’d like, pending approval. According to the website, drivers get paid weekly and work as independent contractors, which means there are no benefits or health insurance options provided. However, for folks eager to make some extra money in their off hours, driving for Uber is one of the most flexible and rewarding options out there. In addition, the service is in very high demand, so finding employment as one of their drivers is fairly easy, compared to many other industries.
However, driving is not the only job offered at Uber. The company’s Careers section provides information on job openings in its various departments, which include engineering, design, finance, legal, communications, local marketing, operations, expansion, and product development. Located therein is a list of all job openings, regardless of department or location. There are hundreds of openings at any given time in cities as far apart as Amsterdam and Shanghai. While a majority of available positions are located in San Francisco – home to the company’s headquarters – American cities like Boulder, New Yorl, Pittsburgh, and Seattle also have available positions.
According to its website, Uber seeks passionate applicants who are interested in making a global impact through bold ideas, which fits in line nicely with the company’s M.O.: bringing people and their cities closer to one another. For those interested in technology and the rapidly changing sharing economy, working for Uber could provide you with experience in a globally dominating company, one that is changing the way the world works in very tangible ways. For more information on the sharing economy and how it’s affecting jobs, check out our article “Is The Sharing Economy Creating Good Jobs For Millennials?”
