Recently laid off? Learn how to transfer your skills to a side hustle for immediate or long-term income.gettyThe 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 AbilitiesA 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 animals or your weekends woodworking in your garage. Perhaps you’ve secretly wondered if you can turn your appreciation for international films into a profession. It’s possible companies have the need for the abilities you’ve acquired through your past employment. Marketing those services as an independent contractor or consultant could be a somewhat seamless transition into self-employment.MORE FOR YOUOnce you’ve made your list, it’s time to research which skills and interests have a viable market. A feasible market could be local, regional, nationwide or even international. See if there are online platforms, such as TaskRabbit, Upwork or Instawork, that can connect your skills with potential clients. As part of your research, determine what the going rates are for the solution you’ll be offering.Consider How You Prefer To Find ClientsYou could be comfortable marketing your services from scratch. You’re willing to create a website with a sample portfolio, reach out to your existing network and make cold calls to targeted organizations. But for some people, this doesn’t sound like the most appealing way to find their initial clients. They’d rather not invest in the marketing side of running a side hustle.Perhaps they also want to test the waters before committing. Online gig platforms can be a way to locate and work with clients to get your feet wet. It doesn’t mean you won’t branch off into marketing your services yourself. But if you’re not sure you want to invest in marketing right away or lean on your network, gig platforms can match your skills with people willing to pay for them.Another advantage of registering with these platforms is flexibility. You can start small and be protected by the platform’s independent contractor agreement. Say you want to try your hand at personal shopping and food delivery. Platforms such as Instacart and DoorDash let you accept the jobs you want and decline the ones you don’t. Your income might be heavily dependent on tips, but you also get guaranteed base pay from the apps.Work a few hours to see how you like it while learning the ropes. Not only can you work around your schedule, but you can also register on multiple apps. If you have diverse interests and skills, you could do online tutoring in the morning and food delivery in the evening. Maybe you also dabble in freelance writing, accepting one-off and ongoing projects as you see fit. Diversifying your income streams quickly with no marketing costs is possible with these gig sites.Have A PlanSide hustles can serve multiple purposes. These businesses and gig work can be safety nets. The income could be to supplement money from full-time employment. It could be a way to explore and develop skills conventional jobs don’t allow you to do.But when you’ve been laid off, the immediate focus is supplementing unemployment benefits, generating replacement income or both. Nonetheless, you want to have a business plan for your side hustle. It’s OK to adjust it as you go along, but you’ll need to think through your endgame.For instance, is securing full-time conventional employment still your goal? If so, you want to be able to divide your time between your side hustle and job search. Do you plan to continue your side hustle after you’ve found a new job? Flexibility may be more important than building a large client base.Other factors to consider are how much income you want or need your side hustle to bring in. How much money do you have to invest in your business? And is this something you’d like to eventually pursue full-time if you’re successful? Writing a business plan can help you stay focused on your primary goals while allocating your time and other resources appropriately.Starting A Side Hustle After A LayoffBeing laid off can result in a sea of emotions, even if you suspected it was coming. Uncertainty is one of those feelings. How will you pay the bills, and will you be able to find gainful employment again? Starting a side business may not be the long-term answer for everyone, but it can help start replacing the income you recently lost.A side hustle can also help you maintain purpose, use your skillset and explore other career possibilities. Think about what you’re good at, what you like to do and where there’s a market for it. Assess your goals, come up with a business plan that fits those objectives and secure work through your own marketing efforts or an online gig platform. Whether you start a new career or expand upon your current one, you’ll be taking full ownership of what you can make.