Thanks to Elijah Dawson for writing this wonderful guest post.
Finding ways to earn extra money used to be a complicated process that involved putting miles on your car, but these days it’s as easy as jumping online. Even as recently as a few years ago, there weren’t many legitimate work-from-home gigs to be found, but companies both big and small have found the value of allowing for remote work. So, how do you get started? First, think about how you’re going to find work/life balance; you can find tons of resources and great ideas on how to stay productive from this blog. Read on for simple steps you can take to earn extra money after a career setback or during a period of underemployment.
Get educated
If you’ve recently been laid off or found yourself needing a second job, it’s the perfect time to think about going back to school to pursue a degree in an area you’ve always been interested in. The good news is that you can earn a degree in IT entirely online, meaning you’ll have a flexible schedule as you learn about information technology, data analytics, cybersecurity, IT management, or software development. These fields are very lucrative with jobs available all over the world, many of which can be done from home if the employer allows it.
Assess your skills
If you’re not ready to go back to school or if you already have a degree, think about how you can make the most of the skills you already possess. Typing, marketing, self-management, and having experience with travel, cooking, or the arts are all valuable abilities when it comes to finding a new job, and those are just a few examples. “Soft” skills, such as customer service or time management, are as marketable as any other, so take those into consideration when you’re updating your resume.
Keep in mind that your skills may lie in areas that fall outside the professional arena, such as crafting or creating. You might use them to start your own business from home via a selling platform, or as a jumping-off point to create a blog you can monetize with ads. You could even turn your experiences into a writing opportunity by guest posting on other blogs.
Start a side-gig
If you still have a job and are interested in making some money on the side, consider how far you want to take it. Will this be temporary, or are you looking to grow this side-gig into a new career? Either way, you’ll want to think about how much time you can afford to devote to it while still keeping your main source of employment. If you are interested in starting a business, it’s important to look for free or low-cost resources online that will help you make the most of the venture while maintaining a positive work/life balance, such as those offered here.
Make sure you’re covered
Whether you want to start your own business or just find a freelance writing gig, make sure you have all the legalities covered by obtaining the correct permits and licenses to do so. Freelancers are considered self-employed and are responsible for paying state, local, and federal taxes on all income. Business owners are required to have specific licenses, but these vary according to the type of business it is and which state you’re in. Do some research to find out what your responsibilities are so you’ll have peace of mind throughout the year.
There are so many ways to get started with a new job or career, but with the right moves, you can find something that you truly enjoy. Utilizing all the resources at your disposal will help you ensure that your new venture is profitable and will give you peace of mind at the same time.
Author Bio: Elijah Dawson created Look For Jobs Here while he was furloughed from his retail management job at the beginning of the pandemic. With many still looking for work, he hopes his site will assist and motivate them as they look for their next big opportunity.
