[Photo: Ms Yenni Yap, founder of Dogwalkies, says walking dogs is not a stress-free job as she has to look for a sheltered place for the dogs to exercise on rainy days, make sure they do not attack other dogs and ensure they stay tick-free.]

By Debbie Yong

It is not the end of the world when you become unemployed.

Instead of staying home to twiddle your thumbs, recruiters say that taking up part-time jobs or offering freelance services could, besides helping to make ends meet, provide other tangible benefits too.

'A part-time position can allow workers to explore different lines of work for a broader experience; mothers can explore the flexibility of working at home,' said Mr Dhirendra Shantilal, senior vice-president (Asia Pacific) of recruitment firm Kelly Services.

Many of the skills picked up on these jobs transcend industries, he pointed out. They may be useful should the individual choose to return to the regular workforce later.

Such jobs also encourage an individual to get out and network with people and to stay plugged into the industry's buzz, which keeps them from becoming redundant.

Though $5-per-hour type of part-time jobs abound in the market, more highly skilled unemployed people could make use of their past work experience or technical expertise to set up businesses offering specialised services in niche fields.

The Sunday Times profiles three individuals who have found alternative sources of income in areas they are passionate about.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.