Tips on how to approach Covid unemployment given the current situation
If you find yourself dealing with Covid Unemployment during these uncertain times, then this article is for you. You may be feeling insecure, afraid, and stressed out. This may be compounded if you have other people and kids, depending on your income. But the best thing to do is to take action and change your situation. Here are some tips to help you.
It’s ok to ask for help
Many people don’t like to ask for help or even accept that they need it. But one of the first things to do if you lost your job during Covid-19 is to ask for help. Accept that the situation is out of your hands, and any help you can get should be welcomed. It also depends on whether you have a lot of debt or debt-free and have some money saved up.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you are weak or that you can’t handle your problems. Even the most successful people have someone that helps them reach that point. You can start by filing for unemployment benefits in your state. Then, reach out to your network to try and find a work opportunity.
Look for gig work
While dealing with Covid unemployment, most people start looking for another job immediately. But the job market is tough right now and may continue to be for a couple of months, depending on your profession. Try to look for gigs instead.
Gig work has become quite popular in the last few years, especially with online job boards and freelance sites. These are one-time jobs or short projects that people can take. They are a great short-term solution while finding a new full-time job.
For example, if you are a full-stack developer, you can find freelance work on Upwork or Fiverr. And if you don’t have a hard skill, you can still make some extra money with a car working as an Uber or Lyft driver.
Cut back on expenses
Another thing to do when you are dealing with Covid unemployment and having to live off gig work, savings, or government relief is to cut back on expenses. You should create a new budget and determine how much you will spend on each of your needs.
Only include essential things in your budget like food, rent, bills, and any other debt payments that can’t wait. This way, you can make the little money you have last until you find another job. You don’t know how long it will take, and it is always better to be prepared.
Research companies that are hiring
To save some time on your job search, you should investigate what companies are hiring right now. That way, you will only send applications to companies that are likely to consider you. For example, according to LinkedIn, some of the companies that are hiring are Amazon, Target, UPS, McDonald’s, and FedEx.
You can concentrate on looking for job opportunities in your career just in those companies. If you are a front end developer, Amazon and Citi may be a good option. You won’t lose time in applications that will come to nothing.
Update your skills
Now that you are without a job, it may be the perfect time to update your skills. An excellent option is to learn tech skills. The technology industry grows more every year, and it offers many opportunities for new grads. It has some of the highest salaries in the country and offers crazy benefits and perks.
Besides, the most attractive part is that anyone can become a software engineer, data scientist, or UX designer in a few months with a coding boot camp. Outside of that, you can also update your abilities by searching which skills are in high demand for your profession. That way, you will be more likely to stand out from other candidates when applying for a job.
In summary
You can start by accepting that you need help and asking for it. Then, look for gig work, cut back on unnecessary expenses, and research companies that currently are hiring. Gig work will help you earn some extra money while finding the next job, and if you only apply to companies that are hiring, your chances will increase. Also, remember to update your skills to stand out in the market.
Add Comment