A successful job search can take time, especially now due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the economy and employment landscape. This can leave job seekers feeling doubly frustrated and overwhelmed. For survivors looking for work during or after treatment, these feelings may be compounded by stress, fatigue or other ongoing side effects.
If you’re unemployed and job hunting, figuring out how to earn extra money in the interim might be an appealing prospect. The good news? There are ways to make money while you look for more permanent employment! Before you dive in to finding those opportunities, it’s important to note that if you are currently collecting unemployment benefits you’ll want to check how or if any additional earning might impact your benefits. Each state has different rules and requirements, so it’s important to understand your state’s specific guidelines. Once you have a good grasp of that and feel ready to find extra earning opportunities, there are several avenues to pursue.
The Balance recently wrote an article on 7 Ways to Earn Money When you’re Unemployed, which highlights steps you can take to earn extra income. We’ve outlined a few below:
Let hiring managers find you. Both LinkedIn and Indeed have options for you to let hiring managers/recruiters know that you’re actively looking for work. And all that’s required is checking a box! The effectiveness of this approach is backed by evidence. LinkedIn has reported that people who turn on their Open to Work feature double their chances of hearing from a recruiter.
Consider freelancing. Take stock of your existing skills to see what you can offer as a freelancer or contract worker. Aside from the tried and true approach of telling family and friends that you’re looking for work, you’ll also want to do some searching on your own. Upwork, Freelancer and Craigslist are platforms that list a variety of short-term jobs/gigs. You can also head to your favorite online job boards to search for terms like “freelance” and “contract” and see what pops up.
Find “quick-fill” positions. Sometimes companies need to fill a role urgently and will advertise that immediacy on job sites like Indeed. They make it easy for job seekers by flagging jobs that are “urgently hiring” so you know the application process and hiring timeline will probably be on the speedy side. While these listings might not check the “dream job” box, they are a good option if you need to earn money quickly.
To learn other ways you can generate income, read the full article here. And be sure to check out the CAC resources listed below:
- Articles on Looking for Work
- Upcoming webinars: Job Search, Resumes 101
- Free Resume Review Service
- Job Search Toolkit (features advice on improving resumes, cover letters, interview and networking tips and other useful tools to help you during a job search)