Are Your Unemployment Benefits Lapsing? 3 Instant Careers To Consider

• Author: Jacob Greene
• Posted: 2024-03-12

Unfortunately, many people either temporarily or permanently became unemployed due to no fault of their own at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most states even waived work search requirements for unemployment applicants to highlight the fact that it was indeed not their fault that their job was taken.

However, many people are facing so-called "days of reckoning" who filed these claims. This is because the way unemployment compensation works is widely misunderstood. Initially, everyone was told that their unemployment compensation would be good for a period of their state base period (this is almost always 26 weeks, with some outliers like North Carolina at 12 weeks), plus half of whatever that base period is. This ratio was slightly higher for states with very low base periods. However, the average and median ended up generally being 39 weeks of unemployment compensation.

Many were unaware that this 39 weeks was actually on a contingency basis. It was 39 weeks of unemployment compensation provided that the unemployment rate remained above a certain number; this "magic number" was 6.0% for most states. As the effects of the pandemic on the economy begin to fade in predominantly conservatively-led states, this rate has dipped below 6.0%.

Applicants in these states received a sudden notice that their benefits would be ending the same week because the unemployment rate was too low. This is only for those currently on extended benefits, meaning that period of typically 13 weeks after the base period of typically 26 weeks expired. If you're in this boat, here are three "instant careers" for those with minimal experience (or none at all!) to consider.

1. Freelance Writer

Freelance writing has long been considered a "fallback career" for many. Many people picture the occupation as free-flowing creative writing, but in reality, it requires a great amount of self-discipline and a certain level of interest in the topics upon which one wishes to write. There also must be demand in the field to provide consistent work.

Unfortunately, due to the number of new freelance writers entering the arena, the supply of "generic" writers is rapidly outpacing demand, making this an unprofitable enterprise. However, if you can find that little "niche" utilizing knowledge that not too many people have and a great platform on which to write, you will likely be set!

2. Online Tutor

As COVID-19 has rapidly closed down schools and other institutions of education, parents, students, and teachers have been turning more and more to online services to fulfill their children's educational needs. Of course, this career path is probably not for you if you have not yet received at least an associate's degree, if not higher. If not, there are plenty of open grants for associate's degrees, so you shouldn't give up hope on this job!

There are many online tutoring platforms in almost every subject area. Some of the most in-demand subject areas are English and Writing. This occupation requires a bit of expertise in the subjects; however, the main quality required for it is patience. Many students zip in simply wanting answers with no context, and most platforms do not allow tutors to just give answers to students. Additionally, many platforms that are based on text only expect tutors to talk to multiple students at the same time for the same hourly rate, which can get quite stressful.

Whether this career is worth it to you all depends on which platform you pick and for which you're chosen to work, and how patient you're able to be with perhaps less than ideal students.

3. Virtual Assistants

Many white-collar professions, such as lawyers, doctors, veterinarians, and more, all require assistants. However, many are still seeing clients from home even now. This requires them to still have "office staff", but just virtually.

Especially for those doctors just starting out who don't have staff, virtual assistants can offer everything. Typically requiring minimal education, the job is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. You may be asked to pull certain records for a doctor, call a veterinarian's clients to remind them that their pets are due for a checkup, or do other things of a similar vein.

This career might not be the best if you don't consider yourself personable. However, for those more comfortable in the social arena, it could be a rewarding career, both socially and fiscally.