Career Advice : 10 More Part-Time Gigs to Pad Your Wallet

Unless you’ve recently won the lottery, it’s probably safe to say you wouldn’t be opposed to making more money if you could. But like most things in life, nothing comes that easy. You’ve gotta work for it.

Whether you’re working full time and need help making ends meet or the nine-to-five grind just isn’t your scene, part-time jobs are something for you to explore. These positions allow you to earn a regular (albeit reduced) paycheck, work fewer hours and still fill a potential void on your résumé.

Part-time jobs are defined as working one to 34 hours per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2006, nearly 25 million people worked part time at an average of 21 hours per week.

Here are 10 great part-time jobs that require short or moderate on-the-job training and in which at least 20 percent of workers were part-time in 2006, according to the BLS. They pay well, offer flexible schedules and most are expected to grow in both demand and the amount of job openings over the next 10 years.

1. Animal trainer
What they do: Trainers teach animals obedience, performance and security by conditioning them to their owners and to commands.
What the hours are: Animal care workers tend to work unusual hours, which usually cater to their clients. Hours may include nights and weekends.
What they earn: $14.39/hour

2. Restaurant cook
What they do: Restaurant cooks prepare a wide selection of individual dishes that cater to a menu. Other kinds of cooks, such as fast-food or short-order cooks, may prepare a limited selection of meals in mass quantity.
What the hours are: In 2006, about 29 percent of cooks and 44 percent of food preparation workers had part-time schedules, working such hours as early mornings, late evenings, holidays and weekends.
What they earn: $10.11/hour

3. Teller
What they do: Tellers usually work in banks, handling cash transactions, receiving and paying out money.
What the hours are: With about 25 percent of tellers working part-time, they can pick shifts during standard business hours during the week and on Saturdays.
What they earn: $10.97/hour, though wages vary with experience, region, city, and type and size of establishment.

4. Medical assistant
What they do: Under a physician’s supervision, med assistants schedule appointments, maintain records, take and record vital signs and medical histories, prepare patients for exams, draw blood and administer medications.
What the hours are: Though medical facilities are open during standard business hours, medical assistants can choose their part-time hours.
What they earn: $13.07/hour

5. Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks
What they do: Desk clerks register and assign rooms to guests, dispense room keys, transmit and receive messages, keep records of occupied rooms and guests’ accounts, and confirm reservations.
What the hours are: Hotels are open all day every day, which gives desk clerks options for daytime, evening, overnight or weekend hours.
What they earn: $9.37/hour

6. Psychiatric aides
What they do: Psychiatric aides care for and assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, helping them dress, bathe and interact with others. Aides work under the direction of nursing and medical staff.
What the hours are: In 2006, 23 percent of aides worked part time, though because patients need 24-hour care, aides can choose to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
What they earn: $12.01/hour

7. Tour guides and escorts
What they do: Accompany individuals and/or groups on sightseeing tours or through other areas of interest.
What the hours are: Hours will vary based on what kind of establishment is toured.
What they earn: $10.73/hour

8. Teacher assistants
What they do: Help teachers educate children in classrooms, through programs, classes and lesson plans.
What the hours are: Four in 10 teaching assistants work part time during the traditional nine- to 10-month school year.
What they earn: $11.39/hour

9. File clerks
What they do: File clerks organize such information as mail, invoices and receipts that come into and are generated by organizations.
What the hours are: About 25 percent of file clerks work part time and can choose their hours based on their employer.
What they earn: $11.32/hour

10. Interviewers, except eligibility and loan
What they do: Interviewers ask people specific questions, record their answers, help them complete forms, applications or questionnaires.
What the hours are: Interviewers work during the week, but evening and weekend work is sometimes required.
What they earn: $13.07/hour

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10 Tips for Managing Your Career in a Fierce Market

We’re hearing job loss reports almost nonstop these days – from Congress, presidential candidates, the Federal Reserve chairman and business experts. The U.S. economy lost approximately 160,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2008. But how does that translate to you?

“The job loss reported in the first quarter signified a gradual deceleration in recruitment in the U.S. as the nation’s economy downshifted,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder.com.

“In the next three months, employers anticipate marginal change in their hiring pace. While some industries are experiencing a contraction in employment levels, areas such as information technology, health care, professional and business services and sales continue to add full-time jobs.”

In the latest Job Forecast from CareerBuilder.com and USA Today, 29 percent of employers plan to grow their number of full-time, permanent employees from April through June while 59 percent anticipate no change and 6 percent expect to decrease head count. Six percent are unsure.

Certain industries and functions continue to outpace other areas in terms of producing new jobs. Forty-five percent of IT employers expect to add full-time, permanent employees in the second quarter followed by 36 percent in sales, 32 percent in professional and business services and 30 percent in large health-care organizations.

Eleven percent of hiring managers reported there were layoffs at their locations in the first quarter. Seven percent anticipate there will be layoffs in the next three months. Eighty-three percent expect no change while 10 percent are unsure.

So while hiring is slowing, there are still open positions. Here are 10 tips for managing your career in a fierce market.

1. Be the best you can be within your profession. Since the competition for jobs is so fierce, candidates need to demonstrate how they can add value to an organization. What are your key selling points that distinguish you from the competition? This is important not only for those looking for a job, but also for those who wish to keep their current jobs.

2. Brand yourself. What do you stand for? How are you marketing yourself? This is the time to be public in your search. Are you creating demand for your services and expertise?

3. Network constantly and consistently. Try joining a business networking site like LinkedIn. You can never have enough friends or colleagues who will go to bat for you.

4. Develop an ongoing relationship with a qualified recruiter with whom you feel comfortable. Being included in a database isn’t enough. Your goal is to become the candidate of choice for that hidden job opening.

5. There has been an increased use of freelancers. As such, candidates need to be more entrepreneurial, whether they are self-employed or work for an agency or corporation. Sologig.com is a site that hosts jobs just for freelancers and contractors.

6. If you are out of work, form a “consortium” with other professionals where you can complement each other’s skills and offer services to clients.

7. Embrace change. You don’t want to be left behind. Keep your skills up to date. Consider creating a personal Web site or taking a class.

8. Prepare for an evolving job market. Look for trends in the areas of increased hiring. Growth industries and areas include health care, education and green living.

9. Your résumé is your own personal advertisement. Make sure it highlights your accomplishments with quantifiable results, not merely details your job description.

10. Candidates whose backgrounds don’t match client credentials or job requirements won’t get much attention. Pay attention to the employer’s specs or job posting and respond accordingly.

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