If you have received some initial calls or e-mails, and they haven’t gone the way you were hoping, looking at what you did or didn’t do in those first steps may say a lot about why you were passed over after the initial call. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind for your next call.

Keep it Relevant

Everything you say or write should directly relate to the company. Rambling on about a big project you headed up with a big company isn’t going to impress a small business looking for the person who can wear a variety of different hats. Make sure you go overboard with the amount of research you do on that company before the call. An in depth knowledge of the company and the industry they operate in is a great conversation starter.

Have a Value Proposition

It’s nice to hear that you’re a hard worker but who isn’t going to say that? Every question you answer should have a direct and indirect answer for the underlying question: How will your presence on the company’s payroll translate in to revenue for them? What do you have that others don’t? If you answer the questions the way everybody else would, you aren’t going to get the second interview.

Don’t Send the Generic Thank You

Taking time to get your name fresh in their mind by sending the thank you note isn’t a bad idea but making it a form letter will probably assure that you’re not going to get the second interview. Make it personal; mention something that came up during small talk but still keep it professional.

Take the Interview

Even if it sounds like it may not be the right job for you, take the interview. You may find that it’s a better fit than what you originally thought and if they really like you, they’ll most likely be willing to work with you on salary requirements. If nothing else, you gained some more interviewing experience.

Don’t Give Them Everything They Want

If you’re interviewing for an editing job and they want you to give them a writing sample, make it more of a tease rather than giving them a full publisher ready piece. If you’re interviewing for a marketing job, don’t give them a full marketing plan just because they ask for it. Give them enough to want more from you.

The job market is tough and using your time wisely is the key to landing your next position. You final tip is to not spend large amounts of time on the job boards. Use relationships and your professional network. That’s where you’re going to find the jobs that you have a chance of getting.

5 Tips for Your First Job Interview from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Last year saw an increase in holiday spending, and there are hopes that the economy — or at least personal financial situations — have improved enough to encourage a solid holiday shopping season. That means that you could find yourself a temporary job. If you are looking, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start early: Now is the time to apply. Get your application as soon as possible so that companies know you are available.
• Apply to several places: Don’t limit yourself to one or two stores. Applications will be pouring in, so you will need to increase your chances of being hired somewhere.
• Show flexibility: In order to land a seasonal temporary job, you often have to be flexible. Can you work late nights or early mornings? Can you come in during swing shifts? Show some flexibility, and you will be far more likely to land a seasonable job.

Where to Look for Holiday Jobs

While the most obvious choices are major retailers and department stores, there are plenty of other types of businesses hiring during the holiday rush. Caterers often hire to help with an influx of orders for holiday entertaining. Entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, might also hire, since many people go out more during this time of year. Also look at local shipping and delivery companies, and even some manufacturers. If there are factories in your town, they might be hiring temporary help. Call centers might also be looking for additional help this time of year.

In some cases, it might be wise to sign up with a temp agency. Many businesses go through companies like SOS Staffing and Kelly Services to help them fill temporary and holiday positions. You really do have to be flexible, though, since you want to be able to come in when you are asked. In some cases, the assignment might only be for a day, but in other cases, you might actually be able to get a longer-term assignment.

Classifieds are also good places to look for seasonal and holiday work. Your local paper, or your local online Classifieds can be great places to start your holiday job search. Don’t forget to check local listings on Craigslist. Keep your ears open, and let people in your network know that you are looking. In some cases, who you know can help you get a foot in the door.

Remember that, sometimes, holiday work can turn into long-term employment. Make sure you carefully consider your options, and that you are truly ready for a holiday job. Working during the holiday season can be tough — draining emotionally and physically. Make sure you are ready for the strain that it can place on other areas of your life, even if you will be improving your financial situation.

(Photo: Scorpions and Centaurs)

Tips for Landing a Holiday Job from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

There are 76 million in the baby boomer generation but only 46 million in the generation after them. You know them as the Generation X population. If the Gen. Xers move in to the positions held by the hard working baby boomers, that still leave a surplus of 30 million jobs for the taking.

Could the nation’s unemployment woes be solved largely be baby boomers retiring? According to CNN “only” 7.9 million jobs were lost due to the recession so surely, this extra 30 million will have a significant effect, won’t it?

The figures only work in the most general sense. According to The Alliance for American Manufacturing and Economic Policy Institute, 2.5 million jobs have been lost from outsourcing to other countries and another 3 million lost to robotic technology since 2000. The rate of acceleration of this trend is unknown but most agree that there will be no reversal of either of these trends as technology rapidly evolves and more emerging nations battle for manufacturing jobs from American companies.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are plenty of jobs that can’t be outsourced and are much less in danger of being lost to a robot and as baby boomers retire, these jobs will be there for the taking. Not sure what to do with your life? Here are a few ideas.

Farmers

People don’t want to be farmers any more although technology has made it a little less back breaking than generations ago. 68.5% of farmers are now over the age of 45 making it the oldest profession. Populations are growing , food prices are going up, and farmland is scarce. The job doesn’t come with a suit and corner office but it does come with the equivalent earning power of some of the top tier jobs.

Nurses

Not only are the boomers going to leave their nursing job, 73 million Americans are at the age where they will need more medical care. In 2010 there were 4.6 people working for every one person retired. That ratio goes down to 2.8 to 1 by 2030. Large shortages of nurses is projected by the time that worker to retiree ratio reaches a critical point.

Lawyers

Doesn’t the world have enough lawyers? Not even close, say industry insiders. More than 57,000 retire each year and replacing them is becoming increasingly difficult due to lower law school enrollment.

Real Estate

Real Estate may be a 10 letter phrase to many but it won’t be spoken with such distain forever. Real estate professionals including surveyors, realtors, and appraisers are well in to their 40s and with the downturn in the housing market, some have elected early retirement. When the market recovers, there will be a large shortage.

If you’re young and still planning your future or you’ve been in the workforce and you’re making a new career move, there are some jobs that are less sensitive to economic conditions than others. While it’s true that you should do what you enjoy, think about the future need for your career choice as you consider your options. Jobs like these have proven themselves to be good long term choices regardless of the economy.

Four Jobs Left Behind by Baby Boomers from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

That being said, while we may not be taking as many vacations days, there are still many employee perks that can be safely taken advantage of without fear of losing your job. These different perks may not be available to everyone but they’re available to most, depending on the size of your employer, and should be given serious consideration if you aren’t taking advantage of them.

401(k) Plan

If your employer offers a 401(k) plan with a contribution match and you aren’t contributing, you’re leaving money on the table. At my first job, my employer would match 100% of your contribution up to 2% of your salary and then 50% on the next 2%. So if you contributed 4% of your salary towards your 401(k), the company would kick in 3%. That’s a 3% raise, which is about what we got each year, right off the bat. Not only do you get free money, which would vested immediately in that plan (not as common), but you also get tax benefits for contributing to your 401(k). 401(k) contributions are tax deductible and since they usually come out of your paycheck, you get the benefit almost immediately.

Education Reimbursement

I have an MBA that was almost entirely paid for by my first two employers. I started the program at my first job, which paid for any class I took towards a higher degree as long as I got a B or higher, and completed it at my second, which had the same reimbursement program but I had to pay some back if I left before a year and a half. I forget how much classes were at Johns Hopkins, where I got an MBA, but it was easily several thousand dollars a year in benefits that I wouldn’t have received if I didn’t start taking classes. Unlike the 401(k), this one costs a lot of your time.

Preventative Healthcare

If you get health insurance through your employer, one of the most overlooked perks are the regular routine visits you get. With dental insurance, you can visit your dentist for routine cleanings. I go twice a year and while no one really enjoys the dentist, going that often (all covered by insurance) make each visit faster and less painful. With medical coverage, you can probably get an annual exam and other preventative procedures done for free or a small co-pay depending on your age. Regular routine visits can ensure any health issues can be identified and remedied early.

These are just three of many employee perks that are probably as under utilized as vacation time. Do you take full advantage of the perks of your employer? Is there a big perk I’m missing that you absolutely love?

Three Employee Perks You Should Be Using from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Those who are self –employed know that working hard isn’t an option but instead a requirement. Every minute is important and maximizing time becomes an art that has a direct effect on the amount of money that flows in to a business that often can’t afford to see lower revenues.

Go ahead and admit it. You’re not as efficient during your work day as you could be and if you think you are, test yourself against these time wasters and see how you size up. It’s not realistic to think that you can operate at 100% peak efficiency all day long but small improvements in the way you manage you day and your workload could lead to more money in your pocket.

E-mail

E-mail might rank with automated customer service as the best and worst invention to hit the business world in decades. We use it for legitimate business related communications, as a form of cyber gossip and to argue with coworkers. (Not that you should use e-mail to solve conflicts but go ahead and admit it, you’ve had some pretty nasty cyber-arguments)

And have you noticed that e-mail creates more e-mail? The more you send, the more you get. In fact, one study showed that employees who have a job that keeps them at a desk most of the day lost a little over 2 hours of productivity daily by e-mailing for a total cost to large companies of $1 billion in lost productivity.

Want to be happier? Turn off your e-mail according to another study. It found that employees who kept their e-mail programs turned on during the day were more stressed, had lower attention spans, and reported less job satisfaction.

Multitasking

You know that guy in the next office who annoying does everything at once and seems to always have time for another project? He works on one pile, then turns to another, then takes on some other job and still has time to talk it up with the boss about last night’s game. Studies show that the multi-tasking overachiever probably isn’t as efficient as he would like you to think. Scientists know that the human brain isn’t actually capable of multitasking.

Our brains can switch rapidly between tasks but we can’t do more than one task at the same time, at least not well. Multitasking increases the time it takes to complete a task and often lowers the quality, studies show.

Not convinced? Find two tasks similar in scope that should take about the same time to complete. Grab a stopwatch or just use a clock and complete the first task as you normally would. Next, complete the second task with your e-mail turned off, don’t answer the phone, and don’t do anything else until you have completed that job. Which one was faster and which one produced the best results?

80/20

20% of what you do drives 80% of your success and often the tasks you resist the most are what produce the revenue or career advancement. You can rationalize and say that you’re using Twitter and Facebook as ways to network but how much business have you really received from Facebook?

Time management is a skill and an art. Maximizing your time allows you more flexibility in your day. Not only can you be the person talking it up with the boss but you can be sure that the work you complete is quality.

(Photo: eflon)

Improve Productivity by Avoiding Time Wasters from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

The amount that is withheld is based on your W-4, a short form in which you briefly explain your family situation. Based on your tax filing status, number of dependents, and a few other criteria, your employer withholds a set amount. If you get a large refund check each year, you’re withholding too much. If you pay a large amount, including a penalty, then you’re withholding too little. Both are bad.

Overwithholding

Overwithholding is where your employer is withholding too much and so you get a large refund check in April (or May). Overwithholding is bad because that’s your money that can be used to pay for your needs, pay down your debts, or be saved into an interest bearing account. Isn’t it better to have your own money than pay taxes you don’t really owe?

Underwithholding

This is a rarer case but sometimes you could be underpaying your tax liabilities and that’s bad because the IRS will assess penalties. There are safe harbor payment amounts that can protect you against penalties, but you still owe the extra taxes (something you may not have accounted for). Underwithholding is clearly the worse of the two.

How to Fix

Many places will tell you to work with calculators to find out what you need to put on your form. I suggest you use those calculators but also talk to your HR department. They do this every single day and explain your situation, they should be able to help you out. If you are stuck with an uninformed HR department, then rely on the calculators more and submit a new W-4.

Money Leaks: Inaccurate Tax Withholding from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

If you are hoping to stand out, and find a job, it might help to get professional help. A headhunter might be able to assist you in your job search, setting you up with a good company.

What Does a Headhunter Do?

A headhunter is also sometimes called a recruiter. For the most part, a headhunter is hired to help companies fill empty positions. The headhunter’s job is to match employers with workers who meet their needs. The recruiter keeps an eye out for someone who would be a good fit for the company. This means that the headhunter should know about what an employer needs, as well as be acquainted with potential workers. A headhunter looks through resumes, and may even meet with possible recruits to get a feel for their qualifications.

Why You Should Consider Using the Services of a Headhunter

Headhunters might operate on their own, or they might work in a firm. In either case, a headhunter will have access to information about job openings at client firms. Sometimes, a recruiter even knows about job openings that are not widely published — or even published at all. Good headhunters also have access to knowledge of high paying jobs. Because employers pay recruiters to find good employees, often, the jobs come with higher salaries. With the help of a headhunter, it is often possible to find a better paying job.

One of the best reasons to use a headhunter is that many of them are free to job seekers. Employers pay recruiters to find highly qualified applicants. When someone is hired, the headhunter is usually paid a percentage of your first year’s salary. That means that it’s in the headhunter’s best interest to help you get hired — and negotiate on your behalf for a higher salary.

There are headhunters who charge a fee, though. Make sure that you understand exactly what you are getting if you pay a headhunter, including services you can expect to receive, and results you might see.

Are You Highly Qualified?

Realize, though, that many headhunters — especially those that don’t charge job-seekers a fee — don’t just take anyone. You might send your resume to a headhunter, only to be rejected, or ignored. Because recruiters are paid according to the candidates they present to the employer, and because their reputations depend on finding the right people, they are likely to be choosy about the job-seekers they are willing to represent.

If you want a headhunter to help you find a job, you need to show that you are highly qualified. While your resume doesn’t have to be perfect, it will still need to demonstrate your abilities, and adequately describe your skills. If you are highly qualified, a headhunter will be more willing to take you on — and provide you with the inside track to a new career.

(Photo: Mr. Daniel Ted Feliciano)

Could a Headhunter Help You Find a Job? from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Web sites like PayScale offer rankings of how much you can make at different jobs, with a fairly low amount of experience, and a four-year degree. If you are looking for some options, here are some of the jobs on the list:

1. Mechanical Engineer: My uncle is a mechanical engineer, and even though he was laid off during the recession, it didn’t take him too long to find a new job – one with better pay. According to PayScale, you can make $73,200 a year after three years of experience. Get a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering, and you can work for design firms, auto manufacturers (my uncle worked at Ford), the government and a number of other places.
2. Electrical Engineer: The field of electrical engineering is wide, from the development of small electronics, to specialization in certain power systems. A good electrical engineer, after four years of experience, can earn around $84,700 a year. That’s not a bad return on investment, and it is a salary that can pay off most student loans.
3. Manufacturing Engineer: This is an interesting aspect of engineering that many people don’t think about. Yes, you need to have a strong grasp of math and engineering principles. But, at the same time, you also need to understand logistics and the global marketplace, since your job will involve gauging competition, increasing productivity, and improving design.
4. Financial Advisor: In these challenging economic times, it’s probably not surprising to see the financial advisors can do quite well, earning around $93,900 after four years of experience. However, it is important to note that there is often some additional education required – especially if you want a particular designation. You will need to take tests, and be properly certified, and a four-year degree in a finance or business related field probably won’t hurt.
5. Software Developer: I was kind of surprised to see this one on the list. However, it looks as though you can make about $82,400 after four years of experience. Software developers are likely to be in high demand since our society is becoming increasingly reliant on computers and technology. Bonus: In some cases you can work from home. One of my best friends from high school got a four-year degree and a little experience, and now he works from home developing software for a major Internet property.

As you can see, there might be some instances when a college degree can pay off. My brother in law is working on an advanced engineering degree to specialize in nanotechnology. When he graduates, he’ll make more than $70,000 – right out of the gate. With the right combination of education, training and experience, you really can make a good living, and be able to afford your student loans.

Want a Good Job? Develop Your Math Skills from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Whether you are looking for a promotion, or applying for a new job, it may not matter how hard you have worked, or how qualified you are: You could be passed over. Here are some of the ways your hard work may not pay off in the end:

Your “Competition” Knows Someone

Sadly, I can admit that I have taken advantage of knowing someone. Just after I graduated from college, I needed a job. A baby was on the way, and my husband was trying to finish his bachelor’s degree. My “condition” was somewhat obvious, and no one would hire the pregnant lady who would take leave in a few months’ time. (One guy actually asked, in the interview, why my husband wasn’t applying for a job.) A new farm and ranch store, based in my hometown, was opening up a new location where I lived, and I happened to know the owner of the company. Do I know much about farming and ranching? No. But the owner of the company called the store manager, and suddenly my application was at the top of the pile. Sometimes, I look back on that experience and feel bad. There were surely better qualified candidates passed over because I knew someone they didn’t.

The Employer Doesn’t Want to Pay You What You’re Worth

You work hard, outperform expectations, and you expect to be rewarded. However, this might not happen. In some cases, your employer might not want to hire you because of what you would have to be paid. This happened to my husband. He worked for two years on a project as a student research assistant. He managed people, collected data and even approved grants. For two years, the muckety-mucks asked when he would be done, and told him how great his work was. Real professional quality work. When a job opened up as the study went national, just before he completed his Ph.D., they encouraged him to apply.

After going through two grueling interviews, and long applications, they hired someone without any experience on the project (or in the work that needed to be done), a lesser degree, and no supervisory experience. But they could pay the person they hired $15,000 to $20,000 less a year. My husband’s hard work had overqualified him for the job.

Someone Might Be Even More Qualified

And, of course, no matter how hard you work, you might run into someone who’s more qualified than you are. No matter how qualified you are, someone else might have worked harder, have better skills and talents, or just be a better fit. Especially now, when there is high unemployment, there are a lot of qualified people looking for jobs, which makes it more competitive. All your merit may not matter if someone has more merit than you.

(Photo: Snap)

Want a Promotion? Merit May Not Matter that Much from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Confidence

Confidence helps a person knock an interview out of the park and then helps secure a place in the company as well.  There is a difference between false confidence like arrogance and actual confidence though.  The arrogant simply think they are always right and exude the confidence to match.  That works well in spurts but becomes an obvious liability in short order.

The people I have met that have been truly confident and backed it up have advanced exactly as they have wanted.  A certain coworker of mine, we’ll call her Jane, had all of the confidence but none of the knowledge when she started in my department.  She learned quickly and then used that limited knowledge and extreme confidence to transfer into a different department about 6 months after she started. 

Jane then got promoted within another year and ended up leaving the company entirely 6 months after that to follow better prospects.  Jane didn’t know more than anybody else or even work much harder than anybody else, but she exuded confidence out of every pore of her body.

Work Ethic

If you are willing to put in extra time and effort into everything you do, you will succeed.  A solid work ethic is usually recognized and appreciated in a company environment and is necessary for an entrepreneur.  I have met a ton of people that put in the bare minimum and go home.  They are not the ones I’ve seen get the promotions and they would not be able to succeed on their own unless they changed. 

I personally had an amazing work ethic when I started at my day job.  As I grew to hate the company, I toned down how much I put into it.  I now channel that above-and-beyond attitude into my online work instead.  It is much easier to have a strong work ethic when you are properly motivated to succeed.

Social Skills

Although I have met a few successful people with hardly any social skills, the majority of the truly successful seem to have a basic understanding of etiquette and communicate well with others.  When I look at the company I work for during the day, the vice presidents and managers are all well-spoken and are very good at holding the company line. 

In blogging, the uber-successful not only write well, but they hold the attention of thousands or millions of people every day.  Social skills make succeeding easier simply since a big part of success is how you deal with others.

I do believe there are a million ways to succeed in any career, but having the attributes above do seem to make it easier.

What other personality traits do you think help make a person successful?

Three Keys to Career Success from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

My dad, and everyone where he works, has been put on notice that lay offs are coming. This is a rather obvious sign that an organization is getting ready to get rid of people. The fact that they are announcing lay offs provides a chance for everyone to update their resumes and refresh their network contacts. But not all lay offs come as a big announcement. Here are five more subtle signs that you might soon join the ranks of the unemployed:

1. You Don’t See Your Boss Much

One of the signs that a lay off could be coming is that your boss seems to disappear behind closed doors frequently. On top of that, he or she might seem to be avoiding you a bit. Some bosses are uncomfortable around those marked for job loss, and end up spending less time near them. If you have a normally cordial — perhaps even friendly — relationship with your boss, and you sense that things have changed, it’s probably time to consider transitioning to a new job.

2. Big, Long-Term Projects are Slashed

If major projects are put on hold, or if the focus is shifting to short-term projects, that could be an indication that lay offs are coming. Be especially wary if something you are working on is being put on hold. When a planned project is pushed back, moved to the side burner, or priorities are changed, it means a shake-up is coming — and you might be laid off. Time to start looking for a new job.

3. Others in Your Industry are Facing Problems

You should pay attention to what is happening in other areas of your industry. If other companies in your industry are experiencing cash flow problems, stock drops and lay off rumors, there is a good chance that your own company is facing those same problems. This can be disappointing, since it means that getting a similar job in another company in your industry is unlikely. It’s time to look at how your skills might translate to another career altogether, and make a plan for a smoother career transition.

4. Cost Cutting

When a company starts cutting costs, you know that something’s up. Watch for signs of cash flow problems. This might include smaller office parties, fewer supplies, difficulty getting approval for spending on new equipment, and a cut back in work-related travel. The hiring of more contractors, freelancers or temps (these workers cost less since there are no benefits to pay) might also be an indication of impending lay offs.

5. You’re Training Someone Else

If you are asked to train someone else on your responsibilities, that could be a red flag. You might be asked to help a temp or freelancer learn about what you do, or you might be training a coworker. This might be a sign that your job is about to be outsourced, or that a (less expensive) coworker will soon be doing double duty.

(Photo: massdistraction)

Five Signs of a Potential Lay Off from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Discount Chains

Discount chains like Marshall’s, Kohl’s, TJMaxx, AJ Wright, and K&G have a large selection of business clothing for the budget conscious shopper. These stores are good for beginning a wardrobe of business clothing without spending a fortune. I personally buy almost all of my tops for work and fun at Kohl’s. The trick is finding and sticking with quality designers that make a product that lasts.

Stock up at Store Closings

You can get the best deals on business clothing for men and women at store closings. Businesses are anxious to sell their entire inventory and list everything at prices that cannot be beat. You can stock up on basic suits, shirts, slacks, and shoes to have a wardrobe that will last you for years. I personally jumped on deals at a local Dillard’s that was closing and used those slacks and blouses for 3 years.

Search Online

Online sites like SmartBargains.com have a really large selection of business suits for both men and women. The prices are incredibly reasonable. You can buy a professional looking suit for under $100. The items have been deeply discounted and customers can save 60% or more on a variety of business attire. Overstock.com is another good site for finding name brand suits and sports coats that will last and are affordable to boot.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores do not only carry used clothing. There are a ton of new options dropped off too. It may take a bit of searching, but you can find a hidden gem in a thrift store. Sometimes people donate name brand suits or slacks that were only worn once or twice. I personally used two great blouses at work that I found at Goodwill for less than $5.

Maintenance

While I was finding my new pieces, I kept in mind that dry cleaning adds up. I only bought machine washable tops and slacks, so only the suit jackets needed to be dry-cleaned. Since I only wore those two jackets for two big business meetings a year, I only took them in for cleaning every couple of years. To keep my blouses and slacks unwrinkled, I hung them immediately after the dryer was done with them. For the more fragile fabrics, I hung them when they were still damp in the hall closet to dry.

Where do you find the best deals for business clothing?

(Photo: davemorris)

Business Clothing on a Budget from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Local Bookstore

Working in the local used bookstore could be considered relaxing or boring depending on your personality type.  I made about $8 an hour in 2007 to work 16 hours every weekend.  I shelved books, helped customers find the perfect picks, and was trained to price out the books that customers wanted to sell.  I started in September but was bored to tears by December, so I made about $1500, which ended up paying for Christmas and padded our savings account a bit.

Petsitting

I actually loved petsitting.  I started in the beginning of 2008 but stopped about 6 months later since we adopted Mr. Pug and a two dog household was definitely enough.  I charged $15 a night for dogs that weighed less than 50 pounds and $20 a night for the big babies. I started off by posting my services on Craigslist but received most of my business overall from word-of-mouth.  I only had a dog about 3 days a week, so I ended up making about $1000 before I “retired”.  If you like to take care of a certain animal, I would highly suggest looking into this yourself.

Babysitting

This was a short hobby job for me.  I babysat a lot in high school and thought I could try again.  I once again listed my services and experience on Craigslist for $7.50 an hour for one kid or $10 for two.  I ended up getting called 3 times a week but kept getting cancelled on at the last minute.  The few times I actually got a job, the children were so bratty that I mostly wanted to run away by the time the parents got home.  When I was a kid, I loved babysitters and was on my best behavior so they’d come back.  The kids I took care of were like little princes and princesses that thought I was the help.  It was pretty bad.  I only made a couple of hundred dollars over a month and decided I was not babysitter material.

Blogging

Blogging was my most recent hobby job attempt.  I started commenting on personal finance blogs in October 2009 and started Budgeting in the Fun Stuff in February 2010.  I actually started this as a hobby and only realized its income potential a few months later.  It wasn’t until October 2010 that I decided to try to pursue it as my main career.  By the end of 2010, I had made about $6000 and have already brought in about $18,000 in 2011.  I should be working full time from home by August 2011!  Best hobby job ever!

What hobby job experiences have you had?  Which ones have been your favorites?

Four Frugal Hobbies You Might Not Have Tried from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

As always, these lists are tricky because what might be the best when you enter school may not be the best when you graduate. Perfect example was when I started school in 1998 – computer science was sizzling hot as the dot com boomed like crazy. By 2001, it had famously burst. I was happy to graduate a semester early in December of 2001, only to be rewarded with one of the worst job markets, at the time, since the 80s. Congratulations… good luck finding a job pal (I chickened out and went to graduate school).

From 2006 – 2008, the top major was chemical engineering. That degree gave up the title to Aerospace Engineering the following year. This year, both were eclipsed by Petroleum Engineering. In fact, if you compare the following chart to last year – you’ll notice that the petrol majors zoomed ahead (look at the X scale).

Methodology Annual pay for Bachelors graduates without higher degrees. Typical starting graduates have 2 years of experience; mid-career have 15 years. See full methodology for more.

As you’ll see, chemical and aerospace engineers had similar salaries to last year – petrol engineers zoomed ahead to touch near $160,000 by mid-career (15 years of experience). Computer science (computer engineering) is still in the top ten!

What’s the lesson from this chart? Engineers get paid.

Best Undergrad College Degrees By Salary 2011 from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Whether you have seen a reduction in hours, or whether you are just looking for a little supplemental income this summer, an extra job can be just the thing. Here are some things to think about if you are an adult looking for a job:

If you Don’t Already Have a Job: Resorts, Hotels, and Summer Camps

For adults who don’t have another job, there are a number of jobs that can be done during the summer time. You can see what seasonal opportunities there are at resorts, hotels and summer camps. Check with local marinas, parks and campgrounds. If you enjoy working with children, you can look for jobs at summer camps or day camps. Apply to be a tour guide at nearby historical sites and attractions if you know a lot about your area. If you don’t mind traveling and need the job, you can apply at amusement parks and tourist attractions in other states.

Even if you have a day job, you can hire on for evening work at nearby seasonal resorts. In some cases, local hotels might hire more help for evenings at the restaurant or bar, and you could do that in addition to your more traditional 9-to-5 job. Find out what summer seasonal opportunities are available in the early morning as well. If you don’t have to be in until a little later, you might be able to pick up a three hours helping at a resort hotel’s 5 am to 8 am breakfast. You might be surprised at the seasonal options in your local area.

Working Around Your Day Job: Evenings and Weekends

During the summer, you might find that you have some options for finding work in your locality. In my college town, there are a number of retail, fast food, restaurant and calling center jobs available during the summer months as the students go away. In many cases, it is possible to find work in the evenings and weekends. An increase in business is expected — coinciding with a decrease in workforce.

Apply at jobs around town. If you are willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays, you might discover that there are a number of options available to you. One of the best options for many is bar tending or waiting tables. You can really clean up in tips if you work in the right place, and you rarely have to work during the day.

Creating Your Own Job

In many cases, it is possible to create your own job as an adult. You can offer a variety of services to work around your own schedule. These services can include:

• House cleaning
• Yard care
• Landscaping
• Minor maintenance and repairs
• Hauling (helpful if you own a truck)
• Helping others with computer research
• Day care/babysitting

These are all services that many people need during the summer. Hire yourself out for services on the weekends, or on days when you aren’t working. Just make sure that you have all of the proper licenses that might be required in your state.

What other summer jobs can you think of for adults?

Summer Jobs Ideas for Adults from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.