Can I work in a job during the process of becoming an officer?

There is nothing in the regulations that prohibit you from having a job while going through the application process. Once you are accepted into a commissioning program, you can work right up until the day before you report to training if you want to.

Definitely, I would recommend that. Stay productive, keep working and when they cut your orders give your employer a 2-week notice. It will definitely help time pass. I kept working at my civilian hospital a month prior to my report date cause the process for me to go active duty took 13 months.

There are several paths to a commission, and they all differ dramatically. Since it seems you'll have a degree before applying... sounds like OCS is your ticket. As I recall, OCS lasts about twelve weeks (don't know if they do roll-backs, etc.) and is "in residence" training. Perhaps the simplest way to explain that is that you'll be living that training 24/7. I don't know if OCS candidates get weekends, but would imagine they get some "time off" base... though I doubt it would be enough to hold down a second job (or that you'd have the energy/interest in doing so). Obviously, you'd be free to continue to pursue employment while you apply.

What type of degree do you have? Are you planning any further education such as a masters or doctorate?

Provide more info and we can guide you better.

Sure, why not? You're able to work up until your report date.

I had a nine-month wait for my pilot training slot and worked three different jobs until I needed to report.

Went through ROTC. Worked at my part time college job until 1 week before leaving for pilot training. Employer was happy to have the help. I was happy to have the paycheck.