Job hunting is never easy. But with countless businesses closed and many more suffering financially during the coronavirus pandemic, getting hired right now can seem downright impossible.Despite record unemployment and job cuts, there are opportunities to be found in the coronavirus economy. If you need a job to help make ends meet during COVID-19, here’s where to look.
Side Gigs
If you need work ASAP or are seeking part-time work to supplement unemployment benefits, look to side gigs.From running errands for elderly neighbors to delivering food, there are a lot of side gigs that are thriving during the pandemic. Look to side gigs like lawn care, dog walking, and delivery that help people who are sheltering in place. There are also side gigs that can be done online. Remote side gigs like online tutoring, transcription, and copyediting are a great fit for people who’d rather stay home during the pandemic. But first, you’ll need to set up your home for remote work.
Freelancing
Side gigs are great when you need cash fast, but if you have an in-demand skill like web development, marketing, or graphic design, you could earn more by finding a freelance position through online job boards. Through these freelance platforms for remote work, new freelancers can create a profile and start looking for work within minutes.
Remote-First Jobs
While some people are looking for a way to make ends meet while temporarily unemployed, others need permanent positions to carry them through the pandemic and beyond. If your employer has permanently closed, look to remote-first companies for your next career move. In companies where remote work is the norm, employees don’t have to worry about being left out of the company culture or passed up for promotions. However, with remote jobs in high demand due to the pandemic, jobseekers need to make their resume shine if they’re going to land a position.
Caregiving
Are people skills your strong suit? If you’re looking for a way to serve your community during the coronavirus pandemic, consider caregiving. Both childcare and senior care jobs are in high demand as schools close and families pull elderly loved ones from nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Even if you’re in a low-risk category, it’s important to take precautions as an in-home care provider. Monitoring your temperature, wearing gloves and surgical masks or cloth face coverings, and practicing good hygiene are among the safety measures that caregivers should take to keep themselves and their clients safe.
What getting hired means for unemployment benefits
If you’re receiving boosted unemployment benefits during the pandemic, you may be worried about what will happen if you start working again. While laid-off workers who refuse to return to work risk losing unemployment benefits, workers who don’t have a job to return to have little to worry about before the expanded benefits provided under the CARES Act expire at the end of July. If you do want to start working while receiving unemployment benefits, you may be eligible to receive partial benefits. Partial unemployment benefits are available to full-time workers who are only able to find part-time employment.
No matter what type of work you pursue during the coronavirus pandemic, make sure you’re putting safety first — after all, you can’t work if you’re unwell! Take precautions like practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and scheduling job interviews remotely whenever possible. By taking a smart approach to your job hunt, you can get back to work while keeping yourself and your family healthy.
