If you are unemployed, it is easy to feel depressed and lose motivation. You may feel like you will never find a job again. You may worry about your financial situation and if you have enough money to make it through this dry spell.
As difficult as it is, recognize that you will not be unemployed forever and that your attitude throughout this difficult period can often make a difference in your job search. A positive, upbeat attitude can help you remain optimistic and find a job sooner.
Until you do find that job, there are steps you can take to bring in some cash and enhance your job skills.
1. Find small ways to make extra money.
If you are unemployed, you likely have more time than money. Finding small ways to make money, such as making $30 in Inbox Dollars in a day or two can give you some money that you likely desperately need. Another good way to make some extra money is to use Swagbucks. You will likely be on the Internet frequently searching for job leads, so why not search with Swagbucks and make some points that you can redeem for PayPal cash?
2. Create your own professional blog.
Creating a blog can be time consuming, but you likely have the time now. According to Forbes, a professional blog can tell others that you are an expert in your field, which bodes well for your job search. Of course, if your blog isn’t professional, just the opposite can be said, so spend adequate time on your blog and make sure the content is high quality.
3. Mingle and make connections.
If you haven’t attended professional meetings recently or met up with local groups in your area, now is the time to do so. The more connections you make, the more likely someone can tip you off on a potential job. Develop your LinkedIn profile and connect with former coworkers. In addition, volunteering can also be a great way to make connections, especially if you are seen as someone who is helpful and giving.
4. Join an alumni group.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, take the time to see if your university has an alumni group. You can join through the campus, but also look at sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. Universities often have active alumni groups on these social media sites, and alumni tend to refer jobs to one another.
5. Create your own business.
If you have something you enjoy doing on the side, why not try to make money that way. Do you know how to replace an iPad screen? Why not start a little side business offering to do it for less than Apple? Find a niche that needs to be filled, and you may find a new business for yourself. There often is no better job than one you create for yourself.
If you are unemployed, remaining optimistic and receptive to the many different opportunities that are out there can help you find a new job, often more quickly than if you have a poor attitude and are depressed.
Kyle Taylor blogs at ThePennyHoarder.com, a daily blog with 100’s of weird and wacky ways to make extra money.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Another great place to make some money from home is The Yahoo Contributor Network. http://contributor.yahoo.com/signup/
If you like to write articles and can write things they like, you’ll get paid for your articles. I’ve been writing for them for 6 years and it’s a great way to make some easy cash from home.
Great tips.
I know quite a few people who are unemployed at the moment. Thanks for the tips!
Great tips. I’d add in selling things on ebay (or having a yard sale if the whether is decent). Most people would be surprised how much “Extras” they have lying around that they don’t really use or want that could be making them $
I agree with Emily Reviews – ebay (Craiglist too) is a great way to get a little extra cash. Thanks for sharing your tips!
I think keeping a positive approach is the best as you are more able to find opportunities rather than concentrating on being depressed and focusing on being unemployed.
Great tips. Networking is a terrific way to help find a job, for sure. I just found out our Alumni association offers a weekly newsletter with job openings companies approach them with- a terrific resource, for sure.
I used to do a lot of surveys and it added up to decent money. And yes, thankfully blogging can actually generate income now!
oh, great tips! i did surveys a ton- especially when up all night nursing a new born- i loved doing htem on my itouch
Great ideas! I think it is really important to leverage something you enjoy doing because your passion will drive you to find new ways to expand and grow.
Great tips Pam! Thanks for sharing.
Great ideas! You can also look into selling what you don’t need via Craigslist and Ebay!
I signed up for InboxDollars as soon as I had a financial hurdle, too, LOL! I didn’t do much with it so I didn’t make all that much, but I was able to cash out the $30. I’ll take it! LOL!!!
These are great ideas. My husband is very handy with computer hardware and he seems to like it. I always suggest to him that he should do something on the side with it.
WNDERFUl ideas.. will have to tweet this to some of my friends.. great list; thanks for putting this together.
Especially like the last one.