TAX rises and rocketing inflation are making it much tougher for all of us to earn a living.
Seven in ten employees are now worried about paying for essentials, according to a new report from HR firm Personio, while a quarter of firms feel they can’t do anything more to support staff through the cost-of-living crisis.
So if you’re struggling, here’s our guide for getting through these tough times.
SECURE A PAY RISE: It’s the fastest way to bring in more money — but you’ll need to prove why you deserve it.
Gather evidence on how you have exceeded your targets.
See bit.ly/3UHGM2n for more tips.
FIND A BETTER PAID JOB: Check salary comparison sites such as Glassdoor to see if you can earn more at another firm.
Update your CV and reach out on LinkedIn.
TRY TEMPING: Temporary work is a quick way to rake in cash — and you may be able to fit it in around a main job.
GO GIG: Instead of a set wage, you get paid for each “gig” that you perform, such as delivering food or driving a taxi journey.
You can usually choose the hours you work and scale these up when you need more money.
See gigable.com.
BECOME AN E-TAILER: Selling online can bring in almost instant cash — eBay is a good option for reaching a global market, while Etsy allows you to sell handmade goods.
Depop and Vinted specialise in clothing.
SET UP A SIDE HUSTLE: A third of young professionals under 24 have a side hustle, says recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
From dog-walking to tutoring, pick something you enjoy so it feels less like extra work.
See bit.ly/3V3ceYB.
RETRAIN TO GAIN: Ask your HR department about extra training to boost your skills, which can lead to earning more money.
Also, look at linkedin.com/learning.
Kit on the side
PALS Beth Harries and Agne Ivanauskaite have full-time jobs in sales and marketing but set up vintage fashion site side-hustle @faarcollective after meeting at university.
The 25-year-olds from Birmingham can make £1,000 to £3,000 a month.
Beth said: “Quite a few of my friends have side hustles.
Whether it’s running their own music events, DJ-ing, looking after dogs, modelling or running their own pre-loved clothing store.
Their side hustles are things they genuinely love or have a personal interest in.
“With a side hustle you have to stay motivated and disciplined with your time in order to get the results you set out for. We work around 20 hours a week on it, mostly at weekends.
“My manager knows about my side hustle and is fully supportive. He always makes an effort to ask how it’s going and pays a genuine interest in what I’m doing, which feels encouraging.”
Steps to better paid jobs
WHETHER you are looking to return to work or step up to more money, there is still time to bag a new job before Christmas.
Amanda Augustine, careers expert at TopCV, shares her tips.
1) Identify your next move.
An effective job search starts with clear goals.
Consider all the roles you have held and write down what you liked and disliked.
Look for themes that help you identify the types of roles that play to your greatest strengths.
2) Build your personal brand campaign.
The moment you decide to look for a new job, you become a marketer.
Start with your CV and then move on to LinkedIn.
3) Craft a “3 CV”: The most impressive CVs achieve three critical goals – present a compelling career narrative, strike a visual balance and illustrate your value.
4) Show why they should hire you: Offer proof of your abilities – with examples, figures or case studies.
Quantify your achievements to show the value you have created for past employers.
5) Think stepping stone: You might not be able to get the job that pays what you want, but you may find a “stepping stone” that is better than your current one.
This can give you the experience and skills for your future dream job
XMAS party snub
HARD-PRESSED staff are saying bah humbug to the office Christmas party and asking for cash bonuses instead.
Ninety-four per cent would prefer their firms to use the festive party budget to help staff through the cost-of living crisis.
Craig Bines, CEO of job site CareerWallet, which carried out the research, said: “For many businesses, rewarding staff with a Christmas party may not be as well received as expected, with many focused on increasing their salaries as much as possible to cover costs.”
Perks at prison
AFTER a new home? Apply to become a prison officer.
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has launched a relocation scheme offering applicants paid accommo-dation for up to three years, plus a free trip back to their home town each month.
The programme is open to people applying for their first prison officer role in one of 26 selected jails.
You don’t need qualifications but will have to demonstrate good communication and influencing skills.
Salaries range from £30,702 to £34,202 for a 39-hour week.
Officer Mica, who works at HMP Portland in Dorset, said: “We’re all here because we want to help rehabilitate prisoners.”
Apply by November 29 at bit.ly/3GnucB8.
