The layoff numbers aren’t pretty. As of June this year, organizations have laid off or discharged 1.8 million people. Payroll employment is down 23,000, while real average hourly earnings for employees decreased by 0.1%. Not only is keeping your job at a decent wage becoming more competitive and difficult, so is finding a new one if you happen to get laid off.

Workers in certain sectors, such as tech, are getting hit harder. It’s not uncommon for professionals with advanced degrees to go months or over a year before landing something else. And that “something else” may be in a completely different field and role. Starting a side hustle is an option some choose to pursue rather than leaving their job searches up to chance.

Side hustles can bring in immediate income, particularly if these endeavors concentrate on gig or freelance work. Some even eventually scale their pursuits into full-time businesses, giving themselves a job instead of betting their odds in the traditional job market. Here are a few tips for applying your current skills to start a side hustle after being laid off.

Assess Your Abilities

A side hustle doesn’t have to begin with a groundbreaking, disruptive idea. These ventures often start small and with an assessment of what you’re good at, as well as what you like to do. Make a list of the skills you’ve acquired. On your list, pepper in hobbies you enjoy doing or tasks you haven’t gotten to fully explore in your previous roles.

For example, maybe you love spending time with........

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