Debt is a 'growing force' influencing jobseekers' choices, career expert says. Here's how

38% of survey respondents said they took on a second job to pay their debts, according to a report by Zety, a resume templates site

While taking on a second job for more income may sound a solution, consider other steps before you do, experts say

Svetikd | E+ | Getty ImagesMany Americans are carrying debt — and for some, the liability is influencing their career choices and job hunting behaviors. "Debt is a growing force behind why people take certain jobs, stay in roles longer than they'd, or hesitate to make a career pivot," said Priya Rathod, a career trends expert at Indeed, a job posting site. 38% of survey respondents said they took on a second job to pay their debts, according to a new report by Zety, a resume templates site

A similar, 37%, said they accepted jobs outside their industry or positions they weren't interested in just to repay their outstanding balances. 37% owe less than $10,000, the site found

What types of debt survey respondents have varies

Most, or 71%, said to have credit card debt, per Zety data, while 37% have mortgage debt, 30% have an auto loan and 23% have student loans, among other kinds of debt

Employees on April 12

More from Personal Finance:Student loan borrowers face 'default cliff' as late payments climbHow the GOP budget bill targets immigrant financesFEMA is not a 'replacement for insurance coverage,' expert saysThe data shows that surveyed workers may not be earning enough to meet their financial obligations, and in some cases, fund their aspirations, according to Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at Zety

If it weren't for their debt, 17% of respondents said they would start a, go back to school or freelance, per the report. "Their financial is impacting not just them in terms of their work and their 9-to-5, but also those life goals," Escalera said

Second jobs 'driven by necessity'When workers begin to for side hustle or second job, it's often because their wages are not keeping up with their cost of living or financial obligations, experts say. 52% of polled workers said they have a side hustle in order to make ends meet, according to Indeed data vided to CNBC

Adults who are employed full time or part time, or seeking employment

Watch now4:1304:13Upwork CEO: Freelance sector seeing strength and market gains in quarterThe ExchangeThe decision to take on a second job may also come out of fear for the state of the economy, Rathod said. 46% of respondents said they're concerned being laid off in the next year, so they want to make sure they are able to tect themselves by working side jobs, Indeed found. "It's driven by necessity," said Rathod

But picking up extra work can come with trade-offs, such as feeling burnout or stress, she said

Growing your income is 'a long-term strategy'While taking on a second job for more income may sound a viable solution to pay down debt, consider asking for a raise or seeking a motion in your current job first, experts say

If that doesn't work, there are other steps to consider, pivoting to a higher-paying role or new industry. "People really need to understand that working more hours is a short-term solution, and growing your main income is a long-term strategy," Rathod said

If you're noticing that wage growth is slowing down in your company or industry, it may be difficult to get a raise, said Rathod

Instead, negotiate for parts of your total compensation, such as the flexibility to work hybrid or remote, more stock options, wellness benefits or a stipend for continuing education

Otherwise, consider applying to a new role that pays more, whether internally or in a new company, or switching to a different industry that has better growth spects, Rathod said

For example, someone who works in sales could apply those skills in a variety of fields, health care, which is growing

In May, nearly half of the job growth came from health care, which added 62,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Think how your skills can transfer to roles in a new sector, or find ways you can "upskill" — to expand your existing abilities, per LinkedIn — to get your foot in the door, Rathod said

If you still believe that you need an additional source of income rather than a new role, think the skills that you already have and what you're good at, experts say

Also make sure that the additional hours do not interfere with your primary source of income and other areas of your life, Escalera said.