Climbing Back Up: Tips for Making Money After Being Laid Off

BY Gloria Martinez of Womenled.org 

When you’ve been laid off or you’re underemployed, making extra money becomes a key priority. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to supplement your income and further your career in the process - here are a few tips to help you get started.

Side Gigs

Taking up a side gig is often easier than finding a full-time job and can quickly change your professional prospects. You’ll find no shortage of opportunities, such as freelancing, tutoring, pet-sitting, or delivering groceries. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Taskrabbit are great places to find part-time work, while sites like Care.com and Rover are great for finding pet-sitting and dog-walking jobs. If you have a car, you can even make money by delivering groceries or food for companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.

If you have particular skills or talents, this may also open up possibilities for skill-based work. If you have an eye for detail and problem-solving, for example, you may be able to find work as an interior designer. This is a good option to consider if you want to learn new skills - just bear in mind that while an interior design career offers flexibility, it can also be hands-on, requiring the designers to visit sites, meet with clients, and even visit stores/vendors for supplies.

Finding Work

Once you’ve decided on an area of work that you think will suit you, your next priority is to work towards making your aspirations a reality.

• Resumes and portfolios: For most employers, documents like a resume (or CV) are essential for showcasing your academic background, career experiences, and skills. Fortunately, you can build a professional-looking CV using free online templates that allow you to pick from presets and add your own copy, photos, colors, and imagery.
• Marketing: To find work, it's important to market yourself effectively. This means building a strong online presence, including a professional website, LinkedIn profile, and social media accounts. Networking is also important, so be sure to attend events and connect with people in your industry at every available opportunity.
• Upskilling: In order to apply for your desired role, you may find it necessary to learn new skills or software. This could mean taking a course or attending a workshop to improve your knowledge in a specialized field, such as coding or graphic design. You can also try reading industry publications, attending webinars, and joining professional organizations to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies.

Starting Your Own Business

With significant changes in the working world, it’s more viable now than ever to start a business of your own. This can be a great way to take control of your income and live independently of employers.

• Resources: Start by reading through the various resources available to entrepreneurs. You can even consult small business development centers, SCORE, and the Small Business Administration to see if they have any guides or documentation to help get you started.
• Business formation: Founding a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is easier than ever, thanks to formation services, and doing so will help you to benefit from tax advantages, less paperwork, and reduced personal liability. Just remember that states have different regulations around forming an LLC; a formation service can help you to navigate these as well as save you on lawyer fees.

It’s important to remember there are many ways to make extra money on the side or replace the income that you have lost. The key is to think creatively and outside the box. Whether you take on a side gig, use your talents, market yourself effectively, improve your skills, or start your own business, there are no limits to the ways you can make money and take control of your financial situation.

Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has collected incredible insights on how best to support teaching and learning, and his work has led to nationally published articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. Learn more about his work at: www.mxjedu.net

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