When we are unemployed, we have a lot of time to look for work. But, that doesn’t mean you should spend 40+ hours/week on job boards, at networking events, and so on. (Psst! Can’t get hired? Watch this free tutorial.) In fact, I tell job seekers all of the time to limit job search to two-hour blocks at a time. You just can’t look for work 8 hours per day. You need to take a break and come back to it. A good job search is about working smarter, not harder. With my approach, you’ll have some extra time you can invest in launching a hobby career.

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Hobby Career = Working Education for the Future

We are all businesses-of-one. Each of us has to market our services to a client (a.k.a. employer) to earn a living. But, that isn't the only way to make money. With the economy in flux, and the rate of change in corporate America increasing, a smart move is to start up a hobby career you can do part time. The goal isn't to make a ton of money (at least, not in the beginning). Instead, the goal is to give yourself a way to learn a new skill and build up a small income stream that gives you a sense of independence. Here’s what to do:

• Identify a hobby you want to become more of an expert in.
• Look for ways you can gain skills that would let you monetize the hobby.
• Read up on small business and take steps to launch your hobby career.
• Share with friends, family, colleagues that you are doing this as a way to expand your skill sets in something you love.

Not only will it show how you are keeping yourself engaged while looking for a full-time job, it will also give you something to distract yourself from the job search so you don’t obsess over it too much and drain yourself. And, if you stick with it, you could find it giving you a small income that you can use to your advantage.

Bonus: Hobby Career Can Make You a Better Job Seeker

Business ownership comes in all shapes and sizes. Knowing how to run a business, even a little one, can teach you a lot about job search and what employers are looking for as well. It gives you some added perspective that can help you in your hunt for work. Get a hobby career going and see how it shapes you professionally. It can only help you – and since it’s based on something you enjoy, you’ll have fun doing it!

Are you ready to get HIRED?

Watch our free tutorial “8 Ways You’re Being SHUT OUT Of The Hiring Process” with career expert J.T. O’Donnell to find out what’s holding you back from getting hired… and how to fix it! WATCH NOW   Image Credit: Shutterstock