If you find yourself without a job due to layoffs or have seen your hours cut short because of an economic downturn, you may be wondering how to make ends meet while you wait for a better opportunity to present itself. Even as you send résumés out and network with people in your industry, you can start a side gig and earn extra money with these ideas:
Amp Up Your Online Presence
If you don’t have an online presence on a professional network, now is the time to create your profile. List your work experience, your achievements, and any relevant degrees you’ve obtained. Add a profile picture that looks polished and professional – no vacation or pet photos! Alternatively, if you’re starting your own freelance business to make ends meet, or if you’re worried about ageism, add your company logo on your profile instead of a photo of yourself. Reach out to former colleagues and clients, ask them to add a review of your work, and build up your network, adding people in your field that can vouch for your talents and competencies.
Get Freelance Gigs in Social Media Management
Whether your talents lie in copywriting, marketing, or website design, there are a ton of opportunities to make extra cash helping businesses promote their goods and services online. Many solopreneurs and smaller companies don’t have the time or expertise to design a professional site, keep up with a blog, and come up with marketing strategies. They’re often in need of social media managers to help them create content and publish effective posts on their channels. So if you know your way around the latest online trends and technologies, reach out to potential clients online or through your local chamber of commerce to find local prospects: Arm yourself with a portfolio of your work, and start networking with decision-makers to land some gigs.
Become an Interior Designer
If you have a keen eye for detail and you like to keep up with the latest trends in furniture, decoration, design, and housing, consider lending your talents to people looking to beautify their space or make it more functional. To launch a new career in interior design, you can start by contacting companies in your area and see if they have openings for an assistant position, where you’ll be able to learn the ropes; once you have a few projects under your belt, you can go the solo route and advertise your services on online job boards, cold call potential clients, or reach out to businesses that may benefit from your expertise.
Reach Out to Your Neighbors
After being laid off, it’s a good idea to keep busy while looking for your next opportunity. Staying socially active can help prevent anxiety, sadness, and frustration from creeping in, and you can even make money from talking to neighbors and friends that may need your help! Brainstorm side job ideas that don’t require a degree, such as pet sitting, dog walking, or delivering groceries with companies like Instacart. To widen your net, put flyers up at your local grocery stores and at the library with your contact information, and join local online groups to advertise your services. Once you have a few clients, ask them to post a positive review online and ask them for referrals. This extra money will help you weather the storm until you find your next position.
Don’t let a professional setback bring you down! Keep yourself busy and make some extra money while you plan your next career move. You may even discover some hidden talents and a new passion you can turn into a rewarding job!
Are you a solopreneur wanting to share your voice and reach out to millions of people? At ceomedium.com, we leverage the power of social media to help your business reach a wider audience.
