What to do if you lost your job during the pandemic
A quick guide in returning to the workplace today.
The coronavirus pandemic has taken thousands of lives away and millions of jobs off the market. The last decade of steady growth in the economy provided great opportunities for many, but now that things have come to a halt, what move should you make if you recently lost your job or were at the beginning of a new career path?
Disclaimer — This article is intended to provide guidance on job searching or for individuals looking to progress or start a new career. There are risks to going back to work amid an uncontrolled pandemic, but if you understand, then continue reading.
Now that we have that aside, the resources I’m going to talk about are just ideas for anyone wanting to go back to work. Here are a few resources to look over and consider before you even begin looking for work again.
Exploration
If you recently lost your job, take this time to explore your next career move. If you were working in dining services or an office job, think about what this new economy has done to the country. It might be time to consider a pivot or a fresh start to something new. Here are some of the top job searching websites I have come across and personally used.
Use these sites to search for any openings in your area. Do remember that a lot of people are in the same boat as you are, so be patient and understand that a good opportunity will come your way in time.
You could use these sites to research the most in-demand jobs today and which industries are currently hiring the most. Unfortunately, not all of us will be back in the old position we were in because it might not exist anymore, and we’re going to have to pivot to new areas in work.
That’s okay. In a few years, your old job might be back in the market, and you can always go back to it. Remember, this can be a temporary move to cover you and your family during this coronavirus economy.
Remote Work
For those who had jobs already and were asked to work from home, you have become part of the remote workforce of this country. Fortunately, even before this pandemic, a lot of people have already been working from home.
There are online resources you can look at today, to see if some of these opportunities interest you. These occupations can range from bookkeeping, accounting, writing, social media, editing, web development, or even law practice. Here are the top websites to look for remote work.
Ridesharing
If you don’t mind transporting others or even delivering food, this might be an excellent option. All it takes is an internet connection on your phone and a vehicle. You probably already know most of these, but there has been a high demand for new drivers during this pandemic.
Like I mentioned before, only consider these options if you are okay with interacting with others today. Remember, you will have to pay self-employment taxes on these earnings since none of it is taken away on your pay. If you don’t mind putting in some mileage on your vehicle, this is a great way to make extra income today.
Learning a new skill
If you’re interested in picking up a new skill like web development, financial advising, or starting a new business, here are some great resources.
- Udemy.com — Anything
- FreeCodeCamp.org — Web Development
- Codecademy.com — Web Development
- DesignLab — Graphic/UX Design
- CFP Board — Financial Advising
- AFCPE — Financial Advising
- Youtube — Anything
Employment Resource
Not all jobs are created equal, and some are projected to grow faster than others. It might be in your interest to research what field might be better for you in the long run. Here is an amazing resource that I’ve used multiple times to research a new career field.
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
I’m also going to list these links as well since many people have found them very useful.
So that’s all I was able to find. I hope at least one of those resources can make a difference in your job situation today. Remember, this is going to take time, so be patient, but a new opportunity will come, and the job market will eventually return to normal in due time. Stay safe, and good luck on your job search!
For any more information or updates from The Modern Money Journal, consider subscribing to the publication. Your support and readership continue growing this platform every day, so thank you!
