Unemployed Millennial: unfortunately a phrase that seems to never get old. There are so many young people out there, with their minty fresh diplomas; slowly realising no one is eager to give them a job without the relevant work experience. Being unemployed after getting your degree is often an unavoidable period in every Millennial's life, and I for one have weathered through this storm. Even though you haven’t got your first job yet, there are some things you can do while being unemployed to boost both your spirits and your bank account.
Be frugal
In order to not go broke, you really need to have limitations and rules and not throw your money about, hoping that your dream job is just around the corner. Saving money on the small things is key: I never spent much money on expensive and unnecessary luxuries. Why burn money on $150 jeans when I could get a decent pair for a fraction of that price. Maybe this will sound bleak, but coupons can be your new best friend. While most people are not even familiar with the term of coupons, they can really, and I mean REALLY, improve your bottom line. Coupons can be found for almost anything, from food to clothes and entertainment, even a dinner for two. If you want to live the coupon lifestyle all you need to do is fire up your browser and search for that best deal on the web.
Freelance
It may not be your dream job, but there are loads of freelance jobs that will help you make bank. Being a gamer, for example, can earn you some extra money. If You like playing games and you are somewhat good at it, you can stream on Twitch and Youtube. This way you can make some money while building your personal brand as a future influencer. If you already have some hobbies, like photography or writing, think about cashing in on them. If you are good at English, you should write a few articles for your portfolio and create a profile on some of the well-known freelance websites. Submitting your proposals for gigs; you will be lucky to get an answer on your first pitch, but be prepared to write a whole lot in order to get a job here. Competition is high and you have to work on your stats, so a good tactic is to be cheap at first to spark interest. Perhaps you are a good photographer? If you have a bunch of photos you have taken, you might as well try to cash in on them. All you have to do is create an account on the top stock photos websites, upload your work and wait for the cash to start flowing. With suitable hashtags accompanying your photos, your first order may come faster than you think. Every time your photo is downloaded you will get some money, minus a small fee for the website. If you do not find yourself in any of the above, there are always miscellaneous jobs to be found, like mystery shopper or dog walker.
Mental Health
An important and often overlooked aspect of being unemployed is to keep your sanity and stay cool in the face of adversity. If you do not take care of your mental health, prolonged unemployment can lead to feeling down and evolve into depression and apathy. It is therefore vitally important to work on healthy habits like getting up early and keeping to a disciplined daily routine. It is ok to live a student lifestyle for some time, but the more you prolong it, the greater the chances of a decline in your state of mind. In addition, try to distance yourself from the social media, where everyone portrays themselves to be living a successful and prosperous lifestyle.
Maintaining healthy habits, staying driven, being focused and working on yourself will help you stay positive and rock that interview that lands you your dream job. Stay focused, be positive and try to make some money on the side - these are three postulates to survive and prosper as an unemployed millennial.
