If you’re reading this, I assume you’re in some form of employment. Since the start of this year, over a billion people have filed for unemployment, making it the new normal. COVID-19 had a lot to do with this, as people were unable to work remotely and had to be onsite to continue running their businesses. But even before COVID-19, things were changing. For decades, people have been viewing their jobs as punishment rather than as a means to an end. Now, with unemployment rates so high, individuals are realizing that they can no longer rely on their jobs for financial security. This is why fewer people are choosing to stay in jobs they deem unnecessary. We have a term for this trend: “Job quiting”.
Let’s be honest — before the pandemic, most of us didn’t really see the point of having a job. Sure, you could earn a decent living and have some fun along the way. But in this era of automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), finding work doesn’t seem so difficult.
If you’re looking to quit your job and make some extra cash, there are plenty of ways to do so. Keep reading for some tips on how to make the transition smoothly and cheaply.
Find A New Niche
If you’re looking to leave your job, the first thing you’re going to need to do is to find a new niche. Being a jack of all trades doesn’t really serve you well when you’re looking for employment. Even before the pandemic hit, people were becoming more specialized. Those interested in coding and technology found themselves in demand while those with legal expertise found themselves struggling to find work. During the pandemic, as businesses closed down and those looking for work became more specialized, the demand for certain skills increased while the demand for others decreased.
Since then, as the economy has slowly begun to rebuild, the demand for certain skills has returned while the demand for others has not. If you’re interested in a certain field and want to avoid relying solely on your job to have a roof over your head, specialization is your key to securing that employment. To give you an idea of what skills are most in demand, here’s a list of the top 20 industries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are plenty of niches within these industries, some of which are more suitable than others for someone looking to break out on their own. For instance, if you’re interested in photography, you could consider setting up your own photography business or becoming a freelancer for a company that handles graphic design and web development.
Look For Opportunities
Whether it’s a full-time or a part-time opportunity, getting experience doesn’t hurt when it comes to securing employment. The more experience you have, the more opportunities you have. Since people are now working from home in smaller teams, virtual interviews have become popular. This is also a great way to look for opportunities if you don’t want to leave your home state. All you need is a reliable WiFi connection, a microphone and a computer/mobile device.
Even before the pandemic, individuals were looking for any way they could to get experience. Many found that getting a degree was not the only route to gaining expertise. For those wanting to work remotely, finding a mentor was the key to securing employment. And for those wanting to leave their home state, gaining experience in another state is easier with online mentorships. All of this to say, if you’re looking for work, getting experience is the key to securing that employment.
Create A Plan
If you’re looking to quit your job and make some extra money, it’s important to have a plan. This is especially important if you’re going to be doing so on a part-time basis. It’s also important to create a plan for how you’re going to handle the transition. Are you going to apply for unemployment? Are you going to look for a new job right away? Are you going to try to go back to school and get a teaching degree? These are all questions you need to answer before you can begin making the transition.
If you’re looking to quit your job and make some extra cash, it’s important to have a plan. This is especially important if you’re going to be doing so on a part-time basis. It’s also important to create a plan for how you’re going to handle the transition. Are you going to apply for unemployment? Are you going to look for a new job right away? Are you going to try to go back to school and get a teaching degree? These are all questions you need to answer before you can begin making the transition.
Find A Sponsor
Depending on how badly you want to hit the ground running when you quit your job, you might want to find a sponsor. A sponsor, as the name suggests, is someone who will help you get established in your new industry. They will help you secure connections and introductions, provide guidance on how to find your feet in this new environment and, if needed, give you some temporary financial assistance. The advantage of having a sponsor is that they can provide you with an opportunity to jumpstart your career. They can also help you avoid some of the common pitfalls that often befall new graduates — particularly those who underestimate the value of their degrees.
If you’re looking for a quick way to make some extra cash without too much effort, searching for open positions in your area of expertise is the perfect solution. But if you want to make the transition as smooth as possible, find a sponsor who can take care of all the details of the process. They can help you get connected to the right people, navigate the application process and, if needed, give you some temporary financial assistance.
Consider Online Job Markets
Since we’re already on the subject of employment, let’s discuss a few of the things you might want to consider when looking for a new job. First, be sure to check out some of the online job markets. There are plenty of places where you can look for employment, particularly if you have a specific niche. For instance, if you’re a photographer, you could check out freelancing opportunities or set up your own photography studio. If you’re looking for work in the healthcare industry, you could try hospital employment or healthcare marketing jobs. Use these sites to search for jobs that match your expertise. They will have all of the available positions listed with the details about the job, including the employer’s contact information.
Second, be sure to check out the salary that is offered. When applying for unemployment, your hourly rate will be taken into consideration. However, the employer is not required to pay you what they offer. Use resources like Kelly Services to find the average wage for a position within your industry. Compare this to what you’re currently earning and you’ll have a rough idea of whether or not you’re paid fairly for the work you do—not to mention the opportunity you give employers to monitor your performance.
Secure A Place To Live
If you’re looking to quit your job and make some extra cash, one of the first things you’re going to need is a place to live. A place to live is simply a place where you can shower, change and relax. Even before the pandemic, those looking for employment were having a difficult time finding affordable living accommodations. During the pandemic, as more people were forced to live in hotels or share homes, the demand for these types of accommodations increased. This resulted in significant cost increases as well as accommodations that were simply not fit for human habitation.
If you’re looking to quit your job and make some extra cash, one of the first things you’re going to need is a place to live. A place to live is simply a place where you can shower, change and relax. Even before the pandemic, those looking for employment were having a difficult time finding affordable living accommodations. During the pandemic, as more people were forced to live in hotels or share homes, the demand for these types of accommodations increased. This resulted in significant cost increases as well as accommodations that were simply not fit for human habitation.
Get Ready To Hit The Road
Once you’ve determined that you’ve found a position that you’re interested in and can see yourself flourishing in, it’s time to get ready to hit the road. Before you quit, make sure you have all of your personal belongings packed and stored at your desk. Be sure to take some time to secure your finances. It is not unusual for newly minted graduates to run into financial hardship, even after getting a well-paying job. It’s important to have enough money set aside to last you for at least six months. After that, you can begin to look for cheaper alternatives.