Within just a few months, the coronavirus has not only threatened our very lives, but it has also brought to light a good number of societal problems that have left countless people at a disadvantage. Among the biggest concerns are economic ones. Millions of jobs have been lost, while multitudes of businesses have been shuttered. And if you’re among those who have lost their livelihoods at such a difficult time, no doubt, the repercussions are weighing heavily on you.
Indeed, it can be hard to fathom how you can continue to make ends meet and provide for your family at this time, while also maintaining your health and staying virus-free in the process. However, as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. So, let’s go ahead and count the ways you can stay afloat financially until things are back to normal.
Know the opportunities available.
You may be surprised to find out that, yes, there are job opportunities to be had during this economically difficult time. In fact, it’s interesting to note that as layoffs related to COVID-19 increase, certain sectors are expanding freelancer roles. It can even be said that remote work and freelancing are experiencing a growth spurt of sorts, despite already being a viable way to work for years now. Needless to say, riding this wave may very well be the way to continue earning an income during the pandemic.
Of course, not all freelancing jobs are created equal. Some roles are known to be more lucrative than others — and possibly also more demanding. This, in turn, can be a very important factor to consider, especially when you also have childcare and other responsibilities at home to take into account, as the line between work and family life tends to quickly get blurry when you work remotely. So if you have a busy home life to think about on top of everything else, it can be smart to opt for work-from-home jobs that offer flexibility.
Bank on your skills and strengths.
Now, just because you’re stuck at home without a livelihood doesn’t mean that you should let your skills go to waste. Again, freelance jobs are among the best ways to make use of your skillset, so you not only make great use of them but also earn a very welcome and maybe even lucrative income in the process. Indeed, as more and more companies and employers shift to remote work, so the need for skilled remote workers increases. And if you play to your strengths and position yourself right, you could easily make the shift.
Case in point, perhaps you are highly proficient in the English language. There’s actually no dearth of employers looking for freelance English grammar experts, writers, editors, and the like, so you could be a prime candidate. You may then get your portfolio ready and create a profile on a job board where countless clients and companies search for the talent that they need.
Make a career out of your passion.
Lastly, despite being in the difficult situation of being jobless in a pandemic, you may still find that it can be an opportunity to pursue something you love. This could be anything from writing a children’s book to selling your specialty carrot cake. Technology has made it possible, as well as easier, to turn a passion into a career, and it will serve you well, indeed, to leverage the resources you can easily find to help you create, sell, and start a business online.
Suffice it to say, in the midst of the negative effects of the pandemic and the feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness that it left you with, it’s still not a wholly dire situation that you can’t get out of. Trust in your skills and abilities, put yourself out there, and keep an eye out for opportunities because who knows? You might even find that such a work setup is too lucrative and too flexible to stay temporary.
Author: Craig Brown