With the economy being the way it is, people are having to fight tooth and nail to get even
the most low paying jobs. Engineers are working at coffee shops and teachers working as
housekeepers, just to make ends meet. Many are looking for extra “sides jobs” to bring in
supplemental income, such as pet sitting, babysitting, yard work, house cleaning, and having
yard sales. Craigslist has seen a big increase in people selling household items, cars, and services,
just to pay their home mortgages and utility bills. Will this ever end? No one seems to
have the answer to that. But in the mean time, here are a few tips on things that you can
do to help get a job/better job:

• Have a good resume ready. There are plenty of templates available online, for free, to help you set this up. Make sure your resume is in a professional format with correct grammar and spelling. Be sure to include volunteer work. It makes you seem a like a real person who is compassionate about life!
• Basic computer skills are a plus. Know your way around Microsoft Office, Quick Books, and Excel. You can take a free WPM (word per minute) typing test here: Typing Test.
• Get certified in CPR and First Aid. Many jobs out there require this anyway. All care giving positions and any job working with kids will require this. And even if the job doesn’t require it, well, it just makes you look really good. You can get certified online here: www.cprclass.org.
• Look presentable. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look professional. Second hand and thrift stores can have some really good deals and some really nice, name brand clothing, if you are willing to take the time to look. You can’t lose with black slacks and a nice top. Put on a little makeup, put your hair up, smell nice, and you are good to go! And guys—shave and tuck your shirt in.
• Look harder. Don’t just rely on Career Builder or Monster.Com. You are competing with hundreds of people for each position that is posted on there. Also try the local newspaper and Craigslist.
• Be positive! Even if you feel like throwing rocks through windows, try to smile and keep your head up. You are more likely to get hired if you are friendly and people pick up good vibes from you. Keep looking and you will find something eventually!

Happy job hunting!