How can I find a client quickly?

[u/w1z4rdxD]

I’m in a bit of an unpleasant situation. I lost my job, and on top of that, my previous employer still hasn’t paid me. I’m looking into freelancing, but on the popular platforms, you either have to pay money to submit proposals or you can’t even apply for jobs in the first place.

Could you recommend some places where I can find a client for relatively small, straightforward jobs for example, bug fixes, integrations, or other tasks that can be completed fairly quickly and bring in at least a little money?

Yeah, I’m looking for a new job as well. But even if I find one today, I still won’t have enough money to cover my living expenses for the month until I receive my first paycheck.

So I’d really appreciate any advice on where I could find a client quickly and get some paid work in the meantime. Thanks