How Women Can Rebound From COVID-Related Setbacks
by Lacie Martin
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted many women. In particular, stay-at-home moms or those who lost their jobs during the shutdown have been relegated to the unemployment lines yet still need to generate some income to help support their families. Fortunately, paths forward can be found between the gig economy and online opportunities. Optix Communications can provide expert-level coaching that can position you for new levels of success.
What Can You Do?
Perhaps a better question is, what do you want to do? If you're interested in starting an online money-making venture, consider your skill sets, your knowledge and education, and your particular areas of interest and expertise. Some people who launch online businesses focus on a former profession or a particular skill, like bookkeeping or marketing expertise; others opt to monetize a hobby, selling handmade creative goods on sites like Etsy or Artfire; still, others look at the highest earning potential in online gigs and look for opportunities to earn in that realm. Online job boards are chock full of options to choose from.
Starting A Job Search
When you start looking for online money-making opportunities, My Perfect Resume suggests having a basic up-to-date résumé or even a simple website that provides information about the product or service you're selling. Include client testimonials, if you have any, and information about you, your background, and if you have anything you could put into an online portfolio, like photos or work samples, that can be helpful as well. The goal is to have an online presence so your stakeholders can learn more about you. This can be especially useful if you're applying for roles via online job boards and prospective employers ask to see work samples.
Starting A Business
Perhaps you're more interested in starting an entrepreneurial venture than you are working for somebody else. In this case, you might look into traditional jobs that can be done remotely. That could include online customer service, order processing, IT support, survey taking, corporate reviews, or conducting online training if you have experience in a particular area. Marketing your business will be especially important. At a minimum, you'll need a website and a social media presence. You'll also need a strategy for keeping both updated and engaging with consumers while promoting your products and services. Banding together with other women-owned businesses is something to consider - if you have complementary services, you may be able to collaborate and support one another.
Long-Term Planning
If you've been out of the workforce for some time or are interested in changing careers, you might consider going back to school and getting a degree. For example, suppose you'd like to get your bachelor's degree in education. In that case, it could open the door to both in-person and online teaching opportunities, as well as tutoring or corporate education as a side gig. The nice thing about online education is that it gives you the opportunity to work at your own pace from your chosen location. You'll want to make sure the college or university you select is accredited, has reasonable tuition rates, and is known for a program that's of interest to you.
While the pandemic has created a lot of obstacles for people in terms of employment and entrepreneurial endeavors, it has also opened several doors to online learning and earning potential. Take some time to assess what you're good at, what you'd like to do, and the education you need to make your dream a reality.
Optix Communications offers a wide range of comms services, including business communications, event planning, and life coaching. Visit the site to learn more or reach out via email for a consultation. The first session is free!