Slasher (career)
What is slasher?
Definition
- A “slasher” refers to someone who works in several jobs at the same time, each with a different role. The term originally comes from the use of the slanting line (/) in writing job titles to represent multiple careers or identities that combined in one person.[1] Slashers pursue diverse interests and fields of expertise to earn a living, often integrating creative, professional, and freelance roles. Instead of adhering to a singular career path, they cultivate a multifaceted working life that blends creativity, flexibility, and adaptability across different fields.[2]
Origin
- The concept of the “slasher” originated from Marci Alboher’s book One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success. He introduced the idea of individuals managing multiple careers simultaneously. The term derives from the slanting line (/) of punctuations used to separate different identities, such as designer/blogger/KOL. The name ‘slasher’ symbolizes the combination of diverse roles within the career profile of a person and captures a societal shift toward portfolio careers, where flexibility is increasingly valued in the society. It also reflects contemporary attitudes toward identity formation in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and the integration of varied skills in modern career development.[1]
Current situation of slashers
78.6% of 525 participants aged 15 to 39 agreed that an individual could have multiple jobs at the same time, showing that a large proportion of youngsters agree with the concept of slashers and being a slasher has become a trend in younger generations.[3]
Salary of slashers
The income of slashers is highly fluctuated. Sometimes, slashers can make up to HKD 20,000 to HKD 30,000 per month if they get multiple jobs. However, in the worst case, they can only earn HKD 2,000 per month when they do not get enough jobs. Since most of them have long working hours, their hourly wage is not much higher than the non-slashers. Besides, most of them need to pay for office accommodation and equipment purchase so they might earn less than some non-slashers.[4]
Reasons of increasing popularity of slashers nowadays
Young people search for not only new experiences and challenges, but also work-life balance. Achieving their dream or aspirations, chasing freedom to choose own job, working hours and companies or employers are also concerning reasons, dedicating to various commitment.[1]
Besides, due to knowledge-based economic world trends, the global job market becomes more competitive. People need to develop multiple skills. Working in the same position for a long time, equals restriction to a certain field or industry, limited diversified and all-rounded development, while being a slasher unleash potential, broaden horizons and enhance competitiveness.[5]
Top 10 Most Popular Slasher Jobs[6]
1. Web designer/ Web developer
Web designers are responsible for visual design and setting on the website. Web developers are responsible for actual coding and functional development of the website, including frontend[7] and backend[8] developer. Due to rapid development of business digitalisation, the demand of this industry has been enhanced. According to the required deadline, they can fully utilize their creativity and time to satisfy the requirements.
2. Graphic designer
The working perspectives of graphic designers are broad. Focusing on visual presentation, graphic designers have to manage a variety of aspects, ranging from brand characteristics to advertising design. This industry aims to provide design services for different clients.
3. Tutoring or interest class tutor
Pupils with professional knowledge and skills can become tutors. Not only do they display their capabilities, but also interact with students. The flexibility of working hours in this industry is high, highly suitable for slashers.
4. Writer/ editor
Writers and editors are responsible for editing and proofreading. This industry is derived from the demand for online content. Be it podcasts, news articles or advertising copywriters, slashers can accept jobs by their interests and professional fields.
5. Accountants
Accountants can provide financial audit, tax declaration and other services. Due to limited budgets, many small and medium-sized enterprises and individual companies may not be able to employ full-time accounting staff to handle financial documents, but they also need professional accounting help. Thus, accountants have become a famous choice.
6. Social media managers
Social media managers are responsible for creating and managing contents, through data analysis to upgrade brand attrition. As social media marketing becomes a new trend, the popularity of social media managers rises.
7. Programmers
Programmers are responsible for development and maintenance of applications and websites. With the development of technology, programmers with computers and relevant applications can work anywhere and anytime.
8. Content marketing planning
Content marketing planning is responsible for formulating the brand's content strategy and creating content to attract the audience. This profession requires creativity and data analysis skills.
9. Photographers
Photographers are responsible for taking photos in various fields, including wedding, commercial, family, and so on. Personal branding can be developed through searching for jobs that are suitable for themselves.
10. Makeup artist
Makeup artists play an important role especially in the fashion and the beauty industry. Their professional skills contribute a lot in shows which make the show complete. This is suitable for fashion and beauty manias.
Methods of becoming a slasher[9]
1. Continue developing your interests
Turning your interests into a full-time job will inevitably lead to boredom and a decline in enthusiasm due to repetitive work. It is important to further develop your interests so as to maintain the passion.
2. Enjoy the process
Slashers may not be able to earn high income when they first start entrepreneurship. It is important for them to wait patiently and gain satisfaction from the process, as turning interests into income sources is already valuable.
3. Expand network
There are lots of opportunities for slashers to meet new friends and customers with different hobbies. As slashers will engage in jobs across diverse fields, the network can help to build the business.
4. Sincerity in dealing with people
It is crucial to treat each customer with sincerity and treasure the opportunities to serve them. Attitude and service are the key to success and retaining a customer base.
5. Increase interactions through social media
In the era of technology, slashers can utilize social media to interact with customers and promote themselves.
6. Utilize time effectively
As slashers are their own employer, it is important to plan an effective timetable and schedule their tasks.
The characteristics of becoming a slasher[10]
1. Multiple occupation abilities
Slashers have several jobs at the same time, they need to handle many tasks from different roles, and properly manage their time and energy.
2. Time management
Slashers do not have a fixed work schedule, they should be able to plan their schedule effectively so that they can find a balance in different tasks.
3. Flexibility
Slashers are able to adapt to various work environments and needs, by adjusting their mindset as neccessary.
4. Self-promoting abilities
Be confident to promote professional achievement to others which enhances job opportunities and builds up your personal brand.
5. Willingness for continuous learning
Slashers are open-minded to learn new knowledge and skills, they are willing to engage in ongoing learning and personal growth.
6. Financial management
Due to unstable job opportunities, slashers should manage income from different sources effectively.
Methods can increase diversified income[10]
1. Consider their target audience
When slashers start entrepreneurship, they should first consider the target groups instead of the products. Having a clear concept of the needs of the target groups enables slashers to tailor the most suitable services for them.
2. Focus on short term and long term development
Slasher should not only focus on short term development, but also long term development. Slasher can set long term goals which are beneficial to the branding and economic revenue in the future.
3. Focus on your interest
Although slashers have a lot of freedom and can decide their own job duties, for example, write articles, give speeches or film videos, they should not take part in all aspects as it is tiring and may overwhelm themselves. Instead, slashers should focus on aspects which they are interested in or good at so that they can have better performances.
4. Expand or continue your network
Being a slasher is not only about jobs, but also networks. Slashers should use social media wisely so as to maintain their network and stay connected with friends from previous jobs.
5. Promote yourself
It is important for slashers to trust and believe that things offered by them are valuable and should make good use of them. Their talents will hence not be hindered and show that they are professionals.
6. Organize previous work
It is crucial to develop a habit of organizing and saving pieces that were done before as experiences are useful for the future. Slashers can take the pieces as references and revise them when needed.
7. Believe in yourself
Believing in yourself is important even if the other underestimates your values and should never define yourself because of others’ opinions. Just believe in yourself and persist in your belief.
Recource website
Owing to shifting working mode to develop multi interests and strengths, the flexibility of working is higher. Slashers can find useful training and information, ranging from law, financial issues, brand development and common traps, under youth employment networks. Besides, workshops and social activities are held to equip teens to participate in slashers.
Examples of slashers
Shum Yat Fei
Shum Yat Fei who is regarded as “the first generation of slashers”. He has been a prominent columnist and commentator on radio and TV programmes since 1978. At the same time, he has been involved in the education sector and works as a journalist in multimedia and cultural fields. In an interview, he claimed that he initially followed social trends such as pursuing academic studies without knowing his true strengths. For example, he worked as a translator for seven years but thought that his personality did not suit the job and he found no joy in his early job. Therefore, he finally quit his job and chose to become a slasher. Over time, he realised that he could choose work he truly enjoyed and continued to explore fields that sparkled his interest.
Benedict Yuen[11]
Another well-known slasher is Benedict Yuen. During his studies in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, his professor and career advisor encouraged him to enlarge his social network in various situations. Besides, he prefers to be more active in choosing our jobs rather than waiting for others to give him a job. With that being the case, he demonstrated his capabilities of maximising his potentials of handling multitasking media. He works as a TV anchor and an influencer on social media. Although taking on multiple careers sounds daunting and exhausting, Benedict takes it all in his stride and is now on his fourth program for the TV network.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grace, Pow. "The 'Slasher' Generations".
- ↑ Harvey, Kong (2 Nov 2024). "Hong Kong youth take a stab at juggling part-time jobs under 'slasher' trend".
- ↑ Hong Kong Federation of youth groups (22 Feb 2024). "Figure 2.10. It has become more difficult for younger generations to belong to the middle-income class". doi.org. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ↑ Calum, Lau (16 June 2020). "The myth of being Slashers". www.talent.gov.hk. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ↑ Adrian Lam (26 Dec 2021). "How Hong Kong's 'slashie' culture also brings problems for gig workers".
- ↑ SME Lab (14 October 2024). "十大最受歡迎 Slasher 工作".
- ↑ "什麼是前端工程師(Front end Developer)？要成為前端工程師要學習什麼樣的技術呢？". 2021/02/15. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "後端工程師(Back end Developer)是什麼？成為後端需要學習什麼技術？很難嗎？". 2021/12/13. Archived from the original
|archive-url=requires|url=(help) on|archive-url=requires|archive-date=(help). Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ Jobsdb content team (29 August, 2021). "Slasher起步懶人包！6大心得教你興趣變事業 做斜槓族月入賺幾多？". Check date values in:
|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 "每個人都適合做Slasher？10條問題測試你的斜槓指數！斜槓族定義、必備條件及增加收入來源的方法一覽！". 2024-08-16.
- ↑ "Slash Career: An Alternate Path to Success | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology". hkust.edu.hk. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
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