Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

SignUp Now!
  • Welcome to Talk Jesus Christian Forums

    Celebrating 20 Years!

    A bible based, Jesus Christ centered community.

    Register Log In

Being financially stable in an unstable world

Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
26
The bible does say we need to depend on God, but at the same time, we need to adapt to any given situation.

Because of the lockdowns, many Christians have lost their jobs and are praying earnestly to get a job. The problem is that some Christians are praying to get a similar job that they had previously. The issue is that the world will not be the same way again and therefore we need to look at what jobs are in demand in the new normal. I read in an article that some of the jobs that exist today will no longer exist in the near future.

God is a provider, but He cannot provide for something that does not exist. So, for example, if you were a chef and the demand chefs has declined significantly because of the closure of many restaurants, then God cannot provide you with such a job and therefore should consider something else.

Therefore you need to be flexible and might need to get a job entirely different from what you were doing to support yourself.

1. Consider online jobs

The following are examples of online jobs that can be done even if you do not have a degree or experience.
  • Affiliate Marketing – this is when you get paid by promoting products online. You normally only need a social media account.
  • Social media manager – This job is becoming more and more in demand since most businesses are going online and need social media accounts to access customers online.
  • Be a YouTuber –YouTube pays people who upload videos and have a minimum of 1000 subscribers and 4 000 hours of watch time within 12 months. Some people who have over a million subscribers are paid thousands of dollars by YouTube.
  • Virtual assistant
  • Transcriptionist

Other online jobs, but that require skills
  • Online tutor
  • Website Designer
  • Freelancer- you can advertise your services on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal
2. How to increase your chances of getting a job?

Although jobs are scarce, some people easily get them and are always employed, even during the pandemic. Why is this so? Are they prayer warriors, or are they close to God, or are they more highly favored by God? No, that is not the case since some of them are atheists and non-believers.

People who do not have problems with getting employed are normally the following:

- They studied subjects or got university/college degrees that most companies want.
- They prepare practically for job interviews.
- They are not picky about the job that they can get.
- They are hard workers, are always studying, and are willing to learn new things.

2.1. Get a degree in careers that companies want, especially in the new normal

Growing up, we are told to follow our dreams or our passion. This is a bad idea because some people’s dreams do not put food on the table. Before going to college, students should first investigate what career is in demand and get that degree if they can see themselves doing the job without being miserable. Then when they have enough income, they can do their passion or talent as a hobby, or study part-time and eventually turn it into a career, if possible. There is no point in spending thousands of dollars, and then you cannot get a job because no one is interested in your degree. Because there is a lot of job scarcity, we no longer have the luxury to be picky in choosing a job and do whatever is available.

2.2. Preparing for job interviews

I have been surprised over the years that some people go to job interviews without preparing. If a company agrees to interview you, then it means that you have the right qualifications. I have read online that companies do not hire people because of petty things that annoyed them during the interview. Some because of their hairstyle, the color of their clothes, not shaving, or body language, etc. It is a good idea to perform research before going to the job interview.

Practical steps:
  • There are many articles online on what to do during job interviews, possible questions that could be asked, how you must dress, what your body language should be and your body posture, and what you should never do or say.
  • Research common interview questions and think of how you will answer them and rehearse the speech in front of the mirror or with someone.
  • Many people pray to get a job, but only the one that prepares will get it.

3. How to decrease the chance of getting retrenched or fired?

Companies have reduced the number of employees because of the pandemic. But what has caused some to continue to keep their jobs, but others got retrenched. And what can you do to avoid getting fired?

Practical steps:
  • Try to get a skill that no one else in the company has. - Suppose there are 3 or 4 of you in the same department. Make sure that you have more knowledge than your colleagues. You can get this by studying more or trying to get more experience. There are free online courses you can do. For example, there are Udemy or Allison courses. Some Linkedin courses are also free.
  • Ensure that the quality of your work is better than your colleagues.
  • Be helpful to as many people as people. - If you know something, then try to help your manager or colleagues even if it is not part of your job function. When you go on vacation or take a day off, people should notice that you are not at work. If no one notices or misses you, then it means that you do not add value to the company, and when they decide to retrench people, then you will be probably get retrenched.
  • Also, be kinder than your colleagues, and speak positive things, and have a cheerful attitude. Greet everyone, including the security guard and office cleaner.
  • Under promise and over deliver - When it comes to deadlines, if your manager wants something done in 1 week, take less than a week to do it without jeopardizing the quality.
  • Figure out how you can do something faster. This will free up your time to help other co-workers and your boss. You will also be perceived as someone who is efficient.
  • Try to get involved in work projects. This indicates to the company that you want to add value, and they will want to keep you.
  • Try to get your boss's skills by asking if they need help with their work. If you can do your boss's job, then if they resign or get fired, then you will be the most suitable candidate to replace their position.
  • Study further – Many companies prefer to keep are those who got additional skills by completing a course part-time.
  • Of course, you should also be at work on time, meet deadlines and work hard. If you do not, you will get fired even if you implement the above.

Bible Verses:
  • Proverbs 10:4 - He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (KJV)
  • Proverbs 14:23 - In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (KJV)
  • Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (KJV).
  • Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (KJV).
And if you are a business owner, consider having a website and reaching out to your customers online. Then it is no longer an issue when lockdowns happen. If you sell things, customers can order online, and you have the items delivered to them.

I am not saying that we should not pray to get a job, but there are things that we can implement to avoid job loss or try to find a job that is in demand.
 
67.png
 
The bible does say we need to depend on God, but at the same time, we need to adapt to any given situation.

Because of the lockdowns, many Christians have lost their jobs and are praying earnestly to get a job. The problem is that some Christians are praying to get a similar job that they had previously. The issue is that the world will not be the same way again and therefore we need to look at what jobs are in demand in the new normal. I read in an article that some of the jobs that exist today will no longer exist in the near future.

God is a provider, but He cannot provide for something that does not exist. So, for example, if you were a chef and the demand chefs has declined significantly because of the closure of many restaurants, then God cannot provide you with such a job and therefore should consider something else.

Therefore you need to be flexible and might need to get a job entirely different from what you were doing to support yourself.

1. Consider online jobs

The following are examples of online jobs that can be done even if you do not have a degree or experience.
  • Affiliate Marketing – this is when you get paid by promoting products online. You normally only need a social media account.
  • Social media manager – This job is becoming more and more in demand since most businesses are going online and need social media accounts to access customers online.
  • Be a YouTuber –YouTube pays people who upload videos and have a minimum of 1000 subscribers and 4 000 hours of watch time within 12 months. Some people who have over a million subscribers are paid thousands of dollars by YouTube.
  • Virtual assistant
  • Transcriptionist

Other online jobs, but that require skills
  • Online tutor
  • Website Designer
  • Freelancer- you can advertise your services on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal
2. How to increase your chances of getting a job?

Although jobs are scarce, some people easily get them and are always employed, even during the pandemic. Why is this so? Are they prayer warriors, or are they close to God, or are they more highly favored by God? No, that is not the case since some of them are atheists and non-believers.

People who do not have problems with getting employed are normally the following:

- They studied subjects or got university/college degrees that most companies want.
- They prepare practically for job interviews.
- They are not picky about the job that they can get.
- They are hard workers, are always studying, and are willing to learn new things.

2.1. Get a degree in careers that companies want, especially in the new normal

Growing up, we are told to follow our dreams or our passion. This is a bad idea because some people’s dreams do not put food on the table. Before going to college, students should first investigate what career is in demand and get that degree if they can see themselves doing the job without being miserable. Then when they have enough income, they can do their passion or talent as a hobby, or study part-time and eventually turn it into a career, if possible. There is no point in spending thousands of dollars, and then you cannot get a job because no one is interested in your degree. Because there is a lot of job scarcity, we no longer have the luxury to be picky in choosing a job and do whatever is available.

2.2. Preparing for job interviews

I have been surprised over the years that some people go to job interviews without preparing. If a company agrees to interview you, then it means that you have the right qualifications. I have read online that companies do not hire people because of petty things that annoyed them during the interview. Some because of their hairstyle, the color of their clothes, not shaving, or body language, etc. It is a good idea to perform research before going to the job interview.

Practical steps:
  • There are many articles online on what to do during job interviews, possible questions that could be asked, how you must dress, what your body language should be and your body posture, and what you should never do or say.
  • Research common interview questions and think of how you will answer them and rehearse the speech in front of the mirror or with someone.
  • Many people pray to get a job, but only the one that prepares will get it.

3. How to decrease the chance of getting retrenched or fired?

Companies have reduced the number of employees because of the pandemic. But what has caused some to continue to keep their jobs, but others got retrenched. And what can you do to avoid getting fired?

Practical steps:
  • Try to get a skill that no one else in the company has. - Suppose there are 3 or 4 of you in the same department. Make sure that you have more knowledge than your colleagues. You can get this by studying more or trying to get more experience. There are free online courses you can do. For example, there are Udemy or Allison courses. Some Linkedin courses are also free.
  • Ensure that the quality of your work is better than your colleagues.
  • Be helpful to as many people as people. - If you know something, then try to help your manager or colleagues even if it is not part of your job function. When you go on vacation or take a day off, people should notice that you are not at work. If no one notices or misses you, then it means that you do not add value to the company, and when they decide to retrench people, then you will be probably get retrenched.
  • Also, be kinder than your colleagues, and speak positive things, and have a cheerful attitude. Greet everyone, including the security guard and office cleaner.
  • Under promise and over deliver - When it comes to deadlines, if your manager wants something done in 1 week, take less than a week to do it without jeopardizing the quality.
  • Figure out how you can do something faster. This will free up your time to help other co-workers and your boss. You will also be perceived as someone who is efficient.
  • Try to get involved in work projects. This indicates to the company that you want to add value, and they will want to keep you.
  • Try to get your boss's skills by asking if they need help with their work. If you can do your boss's job, then if they resign or get fired, then you will be the most suitable candidate to replace their position.
  • Study further – Many companies prefer to keep are those who got additional skills by completing a course part-time.
  • Of course, you should also be at work on time, meet deadlines and work hard. If you do not, you will get fired even if you implement the above.

Bible Verses:
  • Proverbs 10:4 - He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich (KJV)
  • Proverbs 14:23 - In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (KJV)
  • Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (KJV).
  • Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (KJV).
And if you are a business owner, consider having a website and reaching out to your customers online. Then it is no longer an issue when lockdowns happen. If you sell things, customers can order online, and you have the items delivered to them.

I am not saying that we should not pray to get a job, but there are things that we can implement to avoid job loss or try to find a job that is in demand.
This is all very good advice. I am long retired but I am sure your ideas are very wise and practical for younger ones who need to work. So thankyou.
 
Back
Top