Deborah Jacobson - 150 Jobs You Can Start Today: Creative Ways to Make Money Now

CREATIVE WAYS TO
MAKE MONEY NOW

DEBORAH JACOBSON

BROADWAY BOOKS NEW YORK

CONTENTS

2. Nine to Five... Not: PICK A SHIFT
THAT WORKS FOR YOU

3. That's Entertainment: THERE'S NO BUSINESS
LIKE SHOW BUSINESS

4. Do the Locomotion: JOBS FOR PEOPLE
WHO WANT TO KEEP ACTIVE

To the most supportive and encouraging family
anyone could hope to have

INTRODUCTION

This book is about finding work now.

If you feel stranded by the new economy and today's ruthless job market, if you are a parent who wants to work fewer hours in order to spend more time with your family, a student looking to pay your way through school, an artist needing financial support until your big break comes along, or one of the millions of Americans who need extra jobs simply to pay the bills and save for your children's education, this is the book that will help you. Inside, you'll find 150 ways to take charge of your career, start making money, and possibly open the door to a whole new level of professional success and personal fulfillment.

I wrote Survival Jobs in 1996 to reach out to the thousands of people who needed immediate and flexible ways to earn their livings. At the time I was pursuing an acting career in New York and Los Angeles and was in need of unconventional jobs that would pay a good salary and allow me to go on auditions and do theater work. Many of my friends were also creative types who needed time to pursue their craft, and we had mastered the art of thinking outside the box when it came to generating income. Survival Jobs profiled over one hundred of these little-known professions, and the response from readers was so overwhelming that I thought a new version of the bookone updated with additional jobs and new information to reflect the current job climatewas in order.

The best part about the jobs in this book is that many of them allow you to start working immediately to shape your own destiny. You don't have to wait for a position to open up at a company, you won't be at the mercy of recruiters, and you don't have to worry about competing with hundreds of other applicants for the same spot. These jobs allow you to take the skills you already possess and create your own opportunities. Through speaking at seminars and book events, I have found that often people don't realize that their innate talents, skills, and enthusiasms can be used to earn money. Many people already pet-sit for neighbors, paint houses, plan parties, build things, play musical instruments, take excellent photographs, sing, have a flair for design, are great with children, or are computer-savvy. Believe it or not, these skills can translate into real dollars with a little ingenuity and guidance from this book, and they can ultimately prove quite profitable.

Over the years I have held a number of the jobs included here. When I attended college, I worked part-time in the evening, on weekends, and during summer months. When I became a mother, I used my skills and a few of these ideas to create part-time work that enabled me to earn full-time income right out of my home. But while much has changed in my own life since I first wrote Survival Jobs, what hasn't changed is my desire to help people find jobs that fit with their current circumstances and allow them to make money while pursuing what really matters to them. If you are between jobs, the options in this book can help you pay the bills while you look for work in your chosen profession. If you've decided that a graduate degree is what you need to get ahead, you'll find plenty of jobs in these pages that will see you through the application process and, if you choose, your years of schooling. Above all, you'll be in control. What's more, you never know, one of the jobs in this book may help you launch an entirely new career. One of my own survival jobs, Varied Musical Work (see page 121), evolved into my wonderful, now full-time career as a cantor (a spiritual leader and singer of musical liturgy in the Jewish religion) at a prestigious synagogue in Stamford, Connecticut. So the jobs in this book need not serve only as a Band-Aid; they can evolve into a much greater solution.

When I first wrote Survival Jobs, our economy was on the upswing. Today it's no secret that our economy has changed, and in most professions, jobs are harder to come by than ever before. We also can no longer rely on the stock market to provide us with a financial cushion to bridge the gap between jobs or pay for our children's educations. My hope is that this book will ease your burden by inspiring you with many interesting and unconventional ways to boost your income, pursue your dreams, and guide you to abundant prosperity in all areas of your life. I wish you every success.

You're the Top

JOBS FOR THE CEO IN YOU

Apartment Manager

If you never thought it was possible to stay home, eat potato chips, watch TV, and get paid for it, guess again.

Being an apartment manager is perfect for couch potatoes, writers, artists, moms, seniors, or anyone who stays home a lot. Some building owners will even hire people who already have nine-to-five jobs as long as they carry beepers. I know many couples who worked as apartment managers for a number of years to save for down payments on homes. What a great idea!

Basically, an apartment manager is responsible for collecting rent, keeping the building and surrounding area clean, and knowing whom to call in an emergency. Some positions may even require light maintenance. The actual labor involved in this job will depend on your tenants and the size and quality of the complex. Most large complexes (over fifty to seventy-five units) have special maintenance crews. Typically a ten- to twenty-unit building is easiest to handle. Some building owners prefer couples, but this is not a requirement. The main attributes that apartment owners generally look for are honesty, common sense, good credit, stability, and an ability to fill vacancies.

Most large cities have apartment associations that offer certified resident manager training courses. For example, the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles offers a training course approximately twelve times a year. It costs between $450 and $500, and the placement rate is around 80 percent. After completing the course, you can place an ad in the Apartment Association's employment bulletin, an excellent way to get a job. Most courses are extremely informative and well respected among apartment building owners. Another option is to explore a course that is subsidized by the government in your city. Many community colleges will offer an apartment management course for a nominal fee. You can also try calling the local chamber of commerce regarding an apartment managing course.

Whether you receive free rent and utilities plus salary will depend on the building you are managing. Smaller units often offer only a rent reduction or free rent, while larger buildings pay a weekly salary as well. This is often negotiable depending on your experience. Some management companies even offer health benefits and profit sharing.

To find an apartment manager position, check the classified section of your newspaper, contact building owners and management firms directly, and network with other apartment managers. You will need to submit a current rsum and a list of references. Also helpful is the