It is hard to maintain a positive attitude about life when you
need work and are not able to find a good job. During difficult economic
times, it can seem impossible to make a living and to land a good job.
How to get money under those circumstances can become a significant
source of stress, especially if others are depending on you. However,
with a little effort and some resourcefulness, you can survive those
times and put yourself back on track to securing a good job and getting
back on your feet.
First, you need to figure out what practical skills you have. You may be handy with a hammer, or you may be a great gardener. At the very least, if you are willing to work hard and show up on time, you can be of great help to someone who needs an extra hand.
Second, you need to find the places in your community where people advertise their service needs. Online classified ads, like Craigslist, are generally filled with ads posted by local people who need a specific job done. Local classified ad papers (that often come free in the mail) are another great source. Look through as many local ads as you can find to get a good sense of the kind of work that people request the most in your area. Help with moving, cleaning, painting, and yard work are generally at the top of the list.
Third, determine if your skills are a good fit for the jobs that you find. If so, you are ready to jump in and start responding to ads. If not, consider volunteering for no or low pay with someone who can help sharpen your skills. In the long run, the experience that you gain will make up for the temporary lack of pay.
When you start responding to ads, keep in mind that experience and skill do count. Start out by offering your services for lower than the going rate. For example, it is not unusual for an individual mover to collect $50 to $90 an hour. It would be more appropriate to start out by asking for $25 to $40 depending on where you live. Do a good job and collect testimonials for future reference.
You may decide to do the same kind of job all of the time, or you can do different jobs from week to week to vary your work and keep it interesting. In the end, you may be surprised to find that you are making more money in less time than you would with a steady full time job and your schedule will be as flexible as you need. Down the road, if you decide to return to a regular full time job, you will be a more attractive hire to any potential employer. In the meantime, you will know how to get money and make a living without relying on having just one good job.
First, you need to figure out what practical skills you have. You may be handy with a hammer, or you may be a great gardener. At the very least, if you are willing to work hard and show up on time, you can be of great help to someone who needs an extra hand.
Second, you need to find the places in your community where people advertise their service needs. Online classified ads, like Craigslist, are generally filled with ads posted by local people who need a specific job done. Local classified ad papers (that often come free in the mail) are another great source. Look through as many local ads as you can find to get a good sense of the kind of work that people request the most in your area. Help with moving, cleaning, painting, and yard work are generally at the top of the list.
Third, determine if your skills are a good fit for the jobs that you find. If so, you are ready to jump in and start responding to ads. If not, consider volunteering for no or low pay with someone who can help sharpen your skills. In the long run, the experience that you gain will make up for the temporary lack of pay.
When you start responding to ads, keep in mind that experience and skill do count. Start out by offering your services for lower than the going rate. For example, it is not unusual for an individual mover to collect $50 to $90 an hour. It would be more appropriate to start out by asking for $25 to $40 depending on where you live. Do a good job and collect testimonials for future reference.
You may decide to do the same kind of job all of the time, or you can do different jobs from week to week to vary your work and keep it interesting. In the end, you may be surprised to find that you are making more money in less time than you would with a steady full time job and your schedule will be as flexible as you need. Down the road, if you decide to return to a regular full time job, you will be a more attractive hire to any potential employer. In the meantime, you will know how to get money and make a living without relying on having just one good job.
Steve O'Connor is the founder of Securifieds.com, a website
dedicated to connecting independent workers with local job opportunities
in the most secure, professional way possible.
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