When Covid-19 hit the U.S. a year ago and businesses across the globe were shuttered indefinitely, many people never expected the long-term damage that would come as a result. Hundreds of thousands of hard-working people lost their jobs in a market that was unpredictable; and now a year later thousands of people are still having to rethink their job options. Here are some tips on improving your prospects.

Keep up to date on industry trends

Technology today is outpacing standard in-classroom learning practices. If you work in marketing, internet-based applications, or entertainment for instance, there are new industry-changing options showing up every 6 months on average. Every 3-5 years the entire process could be completely different. There is no guarantee that your university degree, your college certification course, or even your hands-on experience will get you in the door of your next job.

Know what’s out there. Every day some new company is coming out with new tools to help everyone from the highest paid CEO’s in their corner office, to the farm worker in the field. Medical professionals and teachers regularly have to take seminars and attend conventions to continue certifying in their fields, and that’s a good example to follow. It’s up to you to find those tools.

Get educated. Spend some time every month learning about new ideas or gadgets that could help you succeed in your career. YouTube is full of helpful instructional videos that you can watch in a few minutes in your spare time. Community colleges offer online and in-person adult education courses in a variety of topics. Udemy and Khan academy also offer inexpensive or free courses as well.

Stay in touch with news articles about consumer trends. Even if you aren’t a CEO, or even close, it’s important to know how your job could be affected by market changes. As many people have learned recently layoffs can come at any time. If you are fully engaged in your job or business your employer will see that dedication and may value your insight over another worker when it’s time to downsize.

Diversify your prospects

Before 1980 many middle-class workers could expect to join a company right out of school and be with them through retirement when they got their gold watch, a pension package, and a sendoff into their golden years. Some might have 2-3 different jobs during their career as they advanced. In 2019 the Bureau of Labor Statistics interviewed retired workers and found the average number of jobs in a worker’s lifetime was 12. Many retired workers still held a part-time job out of necessity. For Millennials and younger generations that number is projected to be even higher.

It’s a great idea to think of your current job as only a short-term contract.

Finding a new job opportunity every 5 years or less throughout your job years takes a considerable amount of energy. It can be even harder if it’s been over a decade since your last job change. It’s important to have a diversified set of skills to improve your job prospects.

Find something you’re interested in. Often times a hobby can become a pathway into a very fulfilling job, and if not it could fill a gap in unemployment in an enjoyable way. If you like tinkering with cars, take some time studying modern mechanics on the side – you could easily slip into an apprentice mechanics job should the need arise. If you’re good at art look at after-school care instructor jobs or youth camps as an interim job option. Plumbers and electricians are always needed you learn some skills in those areas, and save yourself money on your personal home repairs. If you’re good at numbers, take a tax-preparation course and get certified – helping people with their taxes is a great way to make a little extra money between jobs or on the side. It beats flipping burgers anyway!

Start up a side-gig. While you’re learning all of these great alternate skills, why not start up a side job Whether it’s writing a book, making crafts to sell, working as a handyman, or tutoring kids after school. It’s always nice to know that in a volatile market you’ll have a little portable income available. Find something you like doing and learn how to monetize it. Who knows, you might end up working your side-gig full time.

Get a part-time job. It also never hurts to have a part-time job for a few hours a week on the side. If you like theater or sports, consider a part-time job as an usher, you’ll get to see bits of the action and be paid for it. Help with census work or voter polling. Work as a valet at a local club, or pick up a driver delivery job on your off hours. If you spend all week staring at a computer, consider a job as a weekend tour guide or server as a change of scenery. Beyond the extra cash, these kinds of jobs are a great way to network and expand your future prospects.

Don’t overlook volunteer options. Many unpaid positions can give you skills and management training you can use to improve your job prospects as well as networking with others… and it makes a great addition to a resume.

Be ready, change happens unexpectedly

Preparing for a potential job loss can be just as important as preparing for a natural disaster in your area, or an unexpected accident. Even if you feel like your job is perfectly secure, as we’ve learned in the last year, anything can happen.

Emergency funds. Be sure to have savings on hand to cover a few months of expenses to carry you through a job gap. Having a month of food stored if you have space can save on the grocery bills and offer food security. If you use regular medications or medical supplies a job loss will mean insurance loss as well. Try to have some medications stockpiled if possible so that you won’t have the added stress of scrambling for support, and keep extra savings on hand should it become necessary to pay full price on supplies for a few months. Here is a great list of ways to prepare for an unexpected job loss.

Make sure your resume is up to date. This is something you can do today. Review your job skills list and revise it as necessary. You may even consider having two resumes, one for your professional skills and one for your secondary or hobby skills. Here are some great tips.

Have a handle on your finances. Understanding your budget, where to cut expenses if needed, and having sufficient savings can make a job loss much easier. Financial education can be a blessing in both good times and bad. Here are two free financial education courses from FFEF to get you started.

FFEF is dedicated to helping people create a brighter financial future for themselves and their families. Take advantage of our free education and monthly articles. Don’t forget we can also help you manage your creditors and help get your debt under control. Give one of our friendly counselors a call today for a free evaluation 877-789-4172 and find the help you need. www.ffef.org