In the past year, millions of Americans have lost their jobs due to the global pandemic. If you are among the many searching for a new way to make a living every day, struggling to find a new job can seem like one hardship too many. In addition to putting

Keep Your Skills Sharp

One of the most important things to do after you survive a job loss is to ensure you keep your skill set fresh. And while the skills themselves will vary from industry to industry, you must continue to use your skills at a minimum of a weekly basis to maintain them.

If you are having trouble finding work, it may seem almost impossible to find a way to use your skills. A great way to prevent them from deteriorating while also helping a worthy cause would be volunteering your services to a non-profit organization. Volunteering a few hours a week at a local organization can not only help you keep your skills maintained but also give you a place to socialize and feel part of the community. Doing so will help you maintain a schedule and consistency that you may not otherwise have if you are temporarily without employment.

Work with a Temp Agency

For many people, working with a temporary agency is not a long-term goal. And while there can be drawbacks to working on a contractual basis continually, there are some unique perks.

A great benefit of working for a temp agency is that they often have the connections to keep you working, often even during economic downturns. You will need to be open and flexible to the type of work and length of contract you are willing to do. And if you provide flexibility and are reliable, many temp agencies can provide a steady workflow while you search for your next permanent position.

And yet another asset with temporary work is that it can lead to a permanent position. Numerous companies use agencies to help them recruit the best candidates. Sometimes after a contract is up, the company can offer you an enduring role. This can work well for you as it can also provide you with the ability to determine if the job and company could be a good fit for your future.

Take on Part-Time Work

Securing a part-time job can usually be done much easier and more quickly than finding a full-time position. This is partly due to the abundance of part-time job openings and because most part-time jobs do not require employers to provide expensive benefits.

Also, a part-time job is a good way to break into a new field. If you worked in an industry that has been particularly hard hit, such as the hospitality sector, now might be a good time to take stock of your career goals to figure out how to utilize your skills for a new position or industry. Some of the industries that have seen substantial growth are: real estate sales, delivery services, and grocery stores. Taking on a part-time job in one of those fields can help you gain experience that you can then transfer into a full-time role once it becomes available.

Additionally, finding a part-time job can be a wonderful way to boost your short-term income. If you are seriously concerned about finding a new job before your unemployment benefits expire, getting a part-time position can help you stash a little extra cash. And just to be sure you don't interfere with your state's requirements for unemployment, you may want to check to ensure that working while getting unemployment is permissible. Many states allow those on unemployment to collect benefits as long as they meet certain requirements.

Looking for a new job is never easy. And yet, with these tips, you should be in a much better position to find a stable job that will work for you and your family for the many years to come. Good luck with your job search!