Though most of us do not want to contemplate the possibility of being fired, some people might find themselves unemployed in a matter of days. No matter if the dismissal is caused by your misdoings or the employer has no choice but to lay off part of the staff, being fired is a highly stressful situation as your stream of income is cut off.

In such a circumstance, the worst thing to do is to panic. You need to brace yourself and try to find a solution to your problem. Your priority is to secure another source of livelihood.

You could start by entering the gig economy and choose one of the side gigs with the potential to turn into a full-time job, such as a rideshare driver or freelance writer. You might also rent a room in your home or sell unneeded items. Of course, you should also apply for unemployment benefits to keep yourself afloat.

The beginnings might be challenging, but you can overcome this hardship in your life. Here is how you can make money after losing your job:

Enter the Gig Economy

When looking for ways to make money, you can try to take advantage of the gig economy – you’re sure to find something suitable. The great thing about these jobs is that you can do them part-time and on your own schedule. You can work as much as you want or as little as you need to.

This way, you will earn money while figuring out what you want to do next. You might even find a full-time job through one of the platforms, as they are always looking for new members. A good place to start is Upwork or Freelancer.

Choosing a niche that you like and that matches your skillset is vital. Some of the popular jobs include:

Rideshare Driver

If you are a good driver who enjoys driving, this might be the best option. You will earn money by driving people around town using your own car or renting one from a service provider like hyrecar.com. You can choose how often you want to drive and how many hours you want to work at a time.

There are quite a few companies that provide this service, such as Uber and Lyft, but also some smaller brands. You can sign up with one of them, but you will have to wait before you can start driving. First, you need to pass the background check and comply with some requirements set by the company, but you should be ready to start working in no time.

Virtual Assistant

If you have good communication and writing skills, you can become a virtual assistant. This job suits freelancers very well as you will be expected to perform administrative tasks remotely, even from the comfort of your own home.

Some of the tasks might include answering your clients’ emails, updating social media accounts, and conducting research on behalf of clients. The scope of your responsibilities will depend on the person who hires you.

Freelance Writer

If you have good writing skills and are willing to write for pennies, this job is for you. You can write articles for various websites and earn a few dollars per article. You will be asked to write texts on different topics and for different brands. The pay is not the best at first, but you can start building your portfolio and get some good writing practice.

If you are not having much success with your writing, you could try to publish your own articles on Medium. If they attract enough readers, you can get paid for them. You can also check websites like Fiverr or Upwork.

Sell Unwanted Items

You might have some items that you no longer need. The best option is to sell them for extra money. You can organize a garage sale or set up an online ad in order to sell these items. You may check out sites like eBay or Craigslist; you will probably be able to find a buyer quite fast, especially if the item is rare or in good condition.

The profit from this method varies significantly, so it is difficult to make generalizations. Some things are easy to sell, such as books, antiques, and vintage items. On the other hand, many people have a hard time selling their furniture or artworks.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are funds you receive from the government while looking for another job. You can apply for them at your state unemployment office, and they should be able to put you in touch with the right people. You can also check out whether or not you qualify by filling out an online form at your state’s labor department website.

It is essential to complete this form as soon as possible after being fired, even if you believe that you can find a job within a month or so. The benefits will last until you find another job, but you have to make sure that you are actively looking.

Rent out a Room in Your Home

If you have a spare room, you can rent it out to travelers. You will earn money every time they stay in your house, even if it is just for one night. This way, you can earn additional money to cover your expenses.

There are several ways to go about this. You can list your room on Airbnb or another similar platform. You can also advertise in the local newspaper or put up a sign outside your house.

To get started, create a listing on the site with photos and a description of your space. You will also need to set a price and choose the dates when it is available. Once you have guests, you will need to take care of them and make sure they have a pleasant stay.

In Conclusion

There are still many other ways to make money after losing your primary job. You can try freelancing, working from home, or renting out your property. However, you have to remember that you will have to invest a lot of time in order to make any of these work.

Getting a new job will also be a long process, so you need to plan ahead and save as much as you can. It might be difficult at first, but if you remain positive and keep trying, it should be possible to get by.

HR Future Staff Writer