Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, finding a new job during this crisis is far from easy. If you’re a job seeker right now, you might have to postpone your hunt for another full-time position in your industry and pick up a temporary side gig. There are several ways to make money until you can get back into your career. Here are some tips to help you earn a living during this challenging time.
Find a Remote Position
Currently, many companies are hiring remote workers to keep up with the demand for virtual tools and services during the pandemic. For example, with millions of children out of school, online learning companies are looking for teachers. Remote communication companies like Slack and Zoom are also hiring remote employees. What better time to try remote work? You should be able to use any number of your existing skills to find online work doing something you’re good at, whether it’s teaching, writing, or developing websites.
Try Freelancing
Freelancing isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great way to earn an income if you have the self-discipline to be your own boss. Freelancing gives you complete and total control over your workload and hours, which makes it an extremely flexible side-gig. If you want to get started, set up your profile on freelancing sites like Upwork. You can find freelance work doing nearly anything! For example, Upwork caters to freelancers in a variety of industries, including marketing, data science, customer service, design, and software development.
Get a Temporary Job in Your Community
According to MarketWatch, the coronavirus pandemic has caused an increased demand for workers in several industries. If you’re just looking for a part-time job, consider applying for a position at a local grocery store or shipping and delivery company. Online shopping has increased significantly with people staying home and avoiding trips into town, so many local retailers may be hiring people to help with order fulfillment. Restaurants have also adapted to the lockdown, shifting to curbside pickup and food delivery, and many need drivers!
Expand Your Skills
If you have your eyes on a job that is beyond your skill set, this could be a great opportunity to invest in yourself and learn something new. According to Mashable, many companies — and even some universities — are offering free online courses right now to help people fill their time in quarantine. With the right guidance, you can learn almost anything online. You can even turn to educational YouTube videos to brush up your skills and advance in your current industry. When you return to work, you’ll be ready for a promotion!
Adjust Your Budget
Until you can find another full-time job, you may have to make some cuts to your household budget. Go through your regular expenses and find ways to save money. Maybe you don’t need those subscriptions or streaming services right now, or perhaps you could cut back on takeout and cook more meals at home. If you’re still having a hard time paying the bills, take advantage of financial relief opportunities. For example, your financial institution may let you defer your loan payments for a couple of months. You may also be able to pause payments on your utilities, insurance premiums, and mortgage until you can get back on your feet. If you’re out of work right now, you’re far from alone. This has been a challenging time for all of us. Try to make the most of this situation to explore new job opportunities and expand your skills. You never know, maybe one of these side-gigs will turn into a full-time job!
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Craig Brown
