When you have little or no work to do, when the economy is in a recession or your job is just gone for one reason or another, it can be difficult to know what to do with yourself. You might find yourself bored and not knowing what to do next.. There are many different ways people find to manage during the tough times of unemployment. Consider using one of these stopgap jobs during these periods when looking for a long-term option.

1. Freelancing

If you have the skill set, you can become a freelance writer, programmer or other skilled worker to make money when you are unemployed. You will be doing work for different clients, which is a lot of work, but it is also an opportunity for you to make money. If you do not have the skill set or the inclination to be an employer of your own, another stopgap approach is to be a freelance research assistant who works for a private client when he needs someone working on his papers.

2. Data entry

In many cases, you might not have a lot of opportunities when you’ve lost your job.  However, if you have strong computer skills, you can start a data entry job to make money. This can be for one or two persons and can even be done at home. The work is straightforward, usually simply typing paper documents or PDFs into usable data formats digitally. While it’s rarely the most interesting job to do, there’s usually a great need for entry clerks, so it’s a good job to have in your back pocket when finding yourself unemployed.

3. Maintenance Technician Jobs

While it may sound intimidating to look for one of the many maintenance technician jobs out there, they’re much more straightforward than they seem.  Many apartment complexes or small businesses need someone who can take care of simple repairs that the residents or workers can’t always take care of, like replacing light bulbs, or simple household repairs such as leaky faucets.  If you know your way around a wrench, or if you’re confident in your ability to learn from internet tutorials, being a maintenance technician might be a great opportunity for you.

4. Tutoring

This is a good temporary job for those who need to make money while unemployed. If you have a degree in your field, it is worth looking into working as a tutor. You can find tutoring jobs online and at local schools. If you do not have a degree, you can also seek jobs as a social tutors at your local community center. If you’ve got the know-how, sharing that

There are many ways to make money when the economy turns upside down, and you are suddenly unemployed. You will be able to find good jobs at a very low cost, and you can still make some money while you are out of work. If you have the right skills, you can find ways to work for yourself or others, but the commitment to finding the jobs will have a meaningful impact on your future.