Work Less, Earn More with These 3 Careers

Work Less, Earn More with These 3 Careers
by Amelia Gray, FindtheRightSchool.com


Everyone's looking for the secret: How can you work fewer hours every week and earn more money? Aside from stashing a decoy at your desk and sneaking out for a long lunch, the idea seems impossible. Fortunately, you can train for a few unlikely jobs that offer great hours along with a healthy salary.

Health Care Career Training

When you consider the health care industry, you might picture the years of medical school and residency programs that can leave doctors exhausted. In truth, many health care jobs promise long hours and years in school before you have a chance to practice. If you know where to look, however, you can find a few jobs that offer surprising rewards for a relatively short amount of training.

Career #1: Dental Hygienist

You could be responsible for all the smiles in the room as a dental hygienist. Healthy teeth make for happy patients, and you'll work under the supervision of a dentist to clean teeth, remove deposits, take X-rays, and explain oral hygiene. Patients will love you for your chair-side manner, and you'll love the job that offers interesting daily challenges and keeps you busy.

* Work Less: Over half of all dental hygienists work part time, meaning you can schedule your job around your life. Take more hours if you need the salary, or fewer if you have obligations outside of work.

* Earn More: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that dental hygienists earned mean annual wages of $66,950 in 2008.

* Career Training: An associate's degree or certificate in dental hygiene is required for practice in most dental offices. Go on to a career in research, teaching, or clinical practice with a bachelor's or master's degree.

Career #2: Radiology Technician

Beauty may only be skin deep, but you'll get much more in-depth with a career as a radiology technician. As an expert of x-ray technology, you'll scan patients to determine injury and disability in the bone or soft tissue. You might work as a general technician, or specialize in mammograms or fluoroscopies. No matter your specialty, you'll always work under the direction of a physician or surgeon.

* Work Less: While most radiology technicians work a 40-hour week, there are plenty of opportunities for evening, weekend, or on-call hours. Shift work and part-time hours are also available.

* Earn More: Radiology technicians saw mean annual wages of $53,230 in 2008, the BLS reports.

* Career Training: Training could lead to anything from a certificate to a bachelor's degree. Go for more education if you hope to end up training, managing, or teaching other technicians.

Career #3: Medical Assistant

Become the friendly face of your local doctor's office with a career as a medical assistant. You'll perform administrative tasks like answering the phone, taking down patient information, and scheduling appointments. Special training is needed to handle sensitive patient records and use scheduling software programs. In some states, you may even perform clinical duties in the doctor's office.

* Work Less: Many medical assistants work weekends, evenings, or part time. In a doctor's office that takes Monday or Friday off, you could end up enjoying a three-day weekend every weekend.

* Earn More: The BLS reports that medical assistants earned mean annual wages of $29,060 in 2008. Most worked in the offices of physicians, though the medical assistants working in hospitals earned slightly more, at $30,930.

* Career Training: A certificate or associate's degree is generally required for most medical assistants. Go for more education if you live in a state that allows assistants to perform clinical tasks.

Education and Your Career Future

While no career training program can guarantee you'll end up working less and earning more, training for the above careers is a great way to prepare for a truly rewarding career. With as little as a diploma or certificate program, you could find yourself in a job you genuinely enjoy, working hours you love, while earning the salary you deserve.

Amelia Gray is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas.

Freelance Your Way Out of the Recession

by Gary Swart, oDesk.com


A lot of people make all or part of their living through freelancing, working from home. oDesk, for example, has a community of more than 200,000 remote work providers. But not all skill sets are created equal, and as waves of layoffs and ongoing instability have more workers looking to broaden their options, an increasing number of people are wondering whether their skills can be translated to freelancing opportunities.

In a recent survey of freelancers, a majority (59%) said that if they weren't providing freelance services, they wouldn't be able to meet their financial obligations; and nearly a third (32.4%) said freelance earnings are their primary source of income. In addition to helping to make ends meet, you will be strengthening your skills and building relationships for future opportunities.

So where are these jobs coming from? On oDesk, we've seen a number of sectors increase in activity in the last year:

Freelance writing: Journalists are being laid off left and right, so the competition can be fierce. But at the same time, the Internet has created a wide variety of new writing jobs, many of them better suited to the new freelancer than the old hand. Companies are hiring bloggers to give a public voice to their websites, for instance.

Graphic design: Any job where you can work from your own computer on things that lend themselves to portfolio presentation is good work for the remote freelancer. At oDesk, we saw 1,400 design jobs posted in April '08, rising slightly to 1,500 in December, and then rising sharply month by month to about 2,250 in April '09.

Software developer: We track development jobs by individual platforms, from Ajax to Zope, and in most of them, particularly the newer technologies, we're seeing rising demand, across the board.

Management & coordination: From high-end project management to simpler jobs as a long-distance personal assistant, we're seeing a rise in employers turning to remote providers to handle administrative tasks, whether it's basic scheduling or serving as project lead for complex Web development teams dispersed across the globe.

Freelance opportunities are plentiful in today's economy since companies are often reluctant to make room in the budget for a full-time hire. The internet has also enabled these jobs to be done remotely, opening up possibilities for motivated job seekers to get access to these new types of jobs not previously available.

So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at the available jobs today.

Gary Swart is CEO of oDesk, the marketplace for online workteams.


Career Opportunity

When Young and Old Compete for Jobs, Who Wins?

When Young and Old Compete for Jobs, Who Wins?
by Maria Hanson, for LiveCareer


When economic woes hit, it's often the older workers who suffer most. But this recession is proving to be different. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that younger workers are getting the ax while older workers are more likely to keep their jobs. And many jobs that would traditionally go to younger, less-experienced workers are getting swiped up by seniors who are coming out of retirement because their nest eggs have disappeared.

Last summer, the employment rate for teens was the lowest it's been in 60 years. Meanwhile the employment rate for those over 55 had actually increased almost 5 percent. The trend appears to be continuing for the upcoming summer job market, with competition for top jobs stiffer than ever.

Why the Change?

Experts say many companies have learned the hard way that hiring only cheaper, less-experienced workers or eliminating those with most experience isn't necessarily a wise move.

"They've seen that the short-term savings of laying off the most knowledgeable, productive, and experienced workers is not worth the long-term impacts," says David DeLong, author of "Lost Knowledge: Confronting the Threat of an Aging Workplace."

The Benefits of Hiring Experienced Workers

Older workers are in luck because these days more companies are seeing the benefits of hiring those with some years under their belt. "People are in their prime in their 50s and 60s," says Stephen M. Wing, director of workforce initiatives for CVS/pharmacy, which has won many awards for its hiring and treatment of older workers. "Their life experience is invaluable."

Among the traits Wing says the older workers embody: "They're very loyal employees. They work hard. They've got good social skills. They're dependable. They want to be there."

Job-Search Lessons for All Generations

Whatever your age, there are lessons to be learned from this new dynamic that can help you get the job you want:

* Play up your experience. In the past, workers with decades of experience were encouraged to downplay this on their resumes. While you don't want a long resume padded with irrelevant information, don't cut out significant experience just to avoid seeming overqualified or for fear of age discrimination.

Make sure you have a job-winning resume that emphasizes all of your relevant skills and experience.

* Focus on your soft skills. If you don't have much work experience, emphasize personal skills and traits that employees find valuable, like dependability, people skills, and a good work ethic. You can highlight these soft skills in a summary of qualifications at the top of your resume and call them out in your cover letter and during an interview.

A career test can help you to identify your particular skills of value.

Tweet Your Way to a New Job

Tweet Your Way to a New Job
by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Are you on Twitter? Thirty-two million other folks are, but most of them aren't using it to search for work. A recent Yahoo! HotJobs poll revealed that only 8% of respondents have used Twitter to help with a job search. Don't let this valuable medium go unmined as you look for your next opportunity.

Dan Schawbel, author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success," has tips to help you use Twitter to raise your professional profile and fast-forward your job search.


1. Create your personal brand. Instead of just jumping in, Schawbel says, "Before using any social network, create a single, unified social-media strategy, so that your brand remains consistent throughout each network that you join, including Twitter." He recommends using the same professional picture/avatar and user name, a consistent bio, and a personal brand statement that explains what you do and who your audience is.

2. Tweak your Twitter homepage. Take advantage of all of Twitter's tools to make sure your Twitter homepage looks professional. Says Schawbel, "Just like your other social network profiles, your Twitter profile should be completely filled out. This includes your full name, location, a biography, and -- the single most important element -- a single link to a site of your choosing. I recommend directing people to a blog, your LinkedIn profile, or a site that you feel best represents you. If you really want to take your brand to the next level, then a custom Twitter background, which you can make using twitterimage.com or twitterbacks.com, is required."

3. Build your audience. Don't think you know anyone on Twitter? Think again. "A percentage of your friends, family, and previous coworkers are already on Twitter," he reveals. "You can easily import contacts from most Web-mail programs or find people using Twitter's search engine and invite your network onto Twitter with an email invitation. Then, use Twitter search to locate people in your industry, follow them, and interact with them through a series of tweets and 'retweets' over time."

4. Start tweeting. Not sure what to tweet about? Tweet what you know, says Schawbel. "The more you tweet about what you know, the more you'll become the go-to person on that topic in the Twitterverse. The key to building an audience is to remain interesting to your current followers so that they retweet your messages and more people discover and follow you. And, again, by constantly following more people, namely the influencers in your industry, and pushing out relevant tweets, your audience will grow rapidly."

5. Let folks know you're looking. There are a few ways to alert followers that you're in the market for a new job. "First, revise your Twitter profile to call attention to the type of job you're looking for. Second, customize your Twitter background and add in text that talks about where you're headed in your career. Finally, you can send a tweet after you've built your follower count, which states your expertise and the type of job you're looking for," he advises. To get a job you may have to help others find them, too.

Adds Boston-based Schawbel, "If you discover a job lead on Twitter and it's not related to what you want to do, passing it on is an effective way to network."

Follow one of these Yahoo! HotJobs accounts on Twitter for jobs in selected metro regions, and you'll get "tweets" when a relevant new job is posted.

When Interviewers Attack!

10 Tips to Handle a Hostile Interviewer
by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


The interview is undoubtedly the most important part of your job search. Your network and your resume may help you get your foot in the door, but you've got to ace the interview to get the job. What happens, though, if your interviewer is -- gulp! -- mean or abrasive?

Read on for advice from job-search experts and learn how to save the day -- and when you should walk away.

1. Remain calm. Job-search mentor Roberta Chinsky Matuson of Human Resource Solutions suggests, "Take a moment to compose yourself. Then simply answer the question using a calm tone. Eventually the person will stop being so hostile, particularly if you are responding in a way that is not giving them any fuel for their fire."

2. Watch what you say. "Do not let an interviewer's tone push you over a ledge to potentially say things that you may later regret. Remember that business networks of people are wide and expansive, and your negative response or behavior in an interview could have lasting repercussions in wider circles," says Justin C. Honaman, a strategic business process and technology professional.

3. Remain confident. Stephen R. Balzac, president of 7 Steps Ahead, an organizational development firm, says, "The more confident you are, the easier it is to operate on the assumption that you're not dealing with malice. That gives you the room to ask the interviewer if there's something wrong or if this isn't a good time. Frequently, what comes off as hostility is due to something else entirely: The interviewer may be distracted, upset about something else, have a tight deadline, etc. In one case, an interviewer's young son was extremely ill and when offered a chance to reschedule, he jumped at it."

4. Get to know your interviewer. "If a vein is popping out of your potential new employer's head, ask questions directly related to the interviewer, such as, 'How long have you been with the company? What role did you have when you started? Tell me the story of working your way up,'" says career consultant Angela Lussier of 365 Degrees Consulting. "If you get her talking about herself, you can quickly turn her lion's roar into a kitten's meow."

5. Address the issue. "The best thing someone can do when faced with a hostile interviewer is pause and ask if he/she has done/said something to upset or irritate the person conducting the interview. Usually, people don't realize that they are coming across in such an off-putting way, and they quickly adjust when the issue is raised, but gently," suggests Donna Flagg, workplace expert and founder of The Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm.

6. Remember that it may be a test. "They may just be testing you -- to see how you handle pressure or deal with certain circumstances. They want to know if you stay calm and collected, or if it gets to you and affects your decision-making and actions. Many times these situations arise in business, so, unbeknownst to you, they may be placing you in a bit of a role-play scenario," reveals Bruce Powell, a managing partner with executive recruitment firm IQ Partners Inc.

7. Turn things around. Interview expert and author of "Hiring and Firing" Marlene Caroselli suggests, "Employ the 'turnaround' technique. Buy time by turning the question back to the interviewer. For example, you're told, "We need an exceptional candidate for this position. From what I've heard so far, there's nothing exceptional about you.' Your turnaround response would be, 'Can you tell me what is so exceptional about the job that only the rarest of skills are needed?'"

8. Grin and bear it. "If an interviewer is that rude, he's probably run off other good candidates. Your only goal is to get to the next step. Figure out what that is and if you can get there," advises workplace communications specialist Linda Swindling.

9. Leave. Rachel Ingegneri, human resources expert and author of "Ten Minutes to the Job Interview," says, "If an interviewer is hostile to the point of creating fear or possible physical harm, I suggest that the candidate politely remove himself from the room or area and speak with someone in higher authority (a receptionist or secretary may provide that information). If there is no one else to speak with, vacate the premises as soon as possible. If hostile tactics appear to be the norm, that does not seem like the type of place to be employed."

10. Close strong. "Give a strong close at the end of the interview," states Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMAYDAY.com. "Say, 'I'm very interested in this position and I sincerely thank you for your time and insights today. If I am chosen to continue on in your recruiting process, will I have the opportunity to interview with other managers as well?' This shows you were able to deflect their bad attitude and are hungry for more. In these times, only the strong survive, so don't let someone's bad attitude throw you off your game!"

Jobs Sources , Career

Top Jobs with Great Pay: No Graduate Degree Required

Top Jobs with Great Pay: No Graduate Degree Required
by Woodrow Aames, FindtheRightSchool.com


Looking for a high-paying career without incurring the walloping debt of a grad school education? While doctors, lawyers, and corporate executives with post-graduate degrees command top wages, there are plenty of careers that pay exceptionally well -- and you won't need more than an associate's or bachelor's degree to qualify for them.

Some pay well because you'll face risks on the job, but many simply require sharp, dedicated workers who have completed specialized training and/or have job experience. Let's examine some careers you may have overlooked, and the training you'll need to earn winning salaries.

Air Traffic Controllers

There's no need for a graduate degree to receive high earnings if you're cool under pressure. As air traffic controllers hired during the strike of the early 1980s begin to retire, the nation's airports have a greater need than ever for air traffic controllers. It helps to have come college training in math, aviation, or sciences, or to have military traffic control experience. To become an air traffic controller, you have to complete the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program. There are courses at 13 colleges and universities around the land.

Outlook: The FAA plans on hiring 1,900 controllers in 2009, with a projected increase of 17,000 through 2017. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 2008 mean annual wage of $111,870, with top earnings for controllers at $161,010.

Police and Detectives

Attention, criminal justice majors: You can earn a good living without completing a graduate degree. There are several career training programs that take two years, and many police agencies will hire candidates who have completed an associate's degree. You can also complete a bachelor's degree online. Qualified recruits attend local, state, or federal training academies for their agencies. Federal law enforcement agencies typically require a bachelor's degree, and they pay handsomely for the additional training through law enforcement availability pay, increasing income by 25 percent for overtime.

Outlook: Jobs will be more plentiful with local law enforcement agencies, with higher competition for federal jobs. Overall jobs increase: 11 percent in the 2006-2016 decade. With experience, officers can rise to well-paid supervisor positions. For example, police supervisors took home a median 2008 income of $75,490, with top salaries in the six figures.

Sales Managers

If you're already working in sales, why not take online classes in management, business, or marketing and rise to a manager's role? You won't necessarily need an M.B.A. to take home great earnings. Sales managers have diverse roles, including staff recruiting, staff training, territory management, coordinating suppliers and distributors, and evaluating the competition.

Outlook: Jobs for sales managers are predicted to grow by 12 percent during the 2006-2016 decade. The median 2008 annual wage was $97,260, with top earnings over $140,000, according to the BLS.

Web Developers

Not to be confused with graphic designers, Web developers are the technical specialists who mastermind the code that makes a Web site deliver the bottom line to business organizations. They typically hold bachelor's degrees in computer science or software development, but many specialize by taking additional online courses in design to complement their skills. If you can design the look and feel of a Web site along with wrangling the code that makes e-commerce or animations work with precision, you can move to the front of the hiring line.

Outlook: Job growth will be brisk throughout the computer science professions during the 2006-2016 decade, with a sizzling 37 percent increase in openings. The median 2008 annual wage for computer scientists was $69,740. Senior Web developers earn between $71,000 and $102,000.

Dental Hygienists

If you pay attention to articles on the hottest jobs, you can't ignore the staying power of the dental hygienist role. It's among the fastest-growing, highest-earning career for people considering an associate's degree or technical career training.

Outlook: Government labor predictions cite a 30 percent hike in dental hygienist jobs between 2006 and 2016. The median 2008 annual wage for hygienists was $66,570, with top earnings surpassing $90,000.

Fashion Designers

While competition for jobs is tough, the pay is too attractive to pass up this career that rewards creativity. And you can train online, keeping your current job while you complete a two- or four-year degree. If you're already in the field, bolster your credentials by adding business, marketing, or sales fashion merchandising courses. Nearly a fourth of all fashion designers are self-employed.

Outlook: The greatest number of new opportunities should be with design companies that prepare concepts for retail chains or department stores, with openings at private boutiques and specialty store design firms remaining highly competitive. The median annual wage in 2008 was $61,160, but top earnings surpassed $124,000.

People with bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees, and even certificates are not shut out of the realm of the high-wage earners. Choose a career where skilled training is valued over a fancy diploma, and you could be making an enviable salary.

Woodrow Aames has written articles and profiles for Yahoo!, Microsoft Network, and other Web sites and print magazines around the world.

How to Interview Your Future Employer

by Siri Anderson, PayScale.com


You just landed an interview. You're excited. You're nervous. And, your head is full of questions about how to come across as the perfect candidate: "What should I wear?" "What should I say?" "How do I prepare?"

Most of these first questions revolve around marketing yourself to the company. But remember, it's also critical that you use the interview process to answer the most important question of all: "Is this the job I want?"

To answer that crucial question, you must pay close attention during the interview and actively engage your potential employer. That doesn't mean you should throw all your hard-hitting questions out at the beginning. The key is to strategize by asking questions that fit in with the goals of the various stages of the interview process.

So, how do you know what to ask and when? Mark Stevens, CEO of marketing and public relations firm MSCO and author of 25 books, including "Your Marketing Stinks," suggests viewing the stages of an interview like different stages of dating -- falling in love, going steady, and getting engaged to be married. As with dating, you don't jump in asking about finances or other uncomfortable topics. After all, putting the cart before the horse can kill a good thing. Keep in mind the company's concerns as well as your own when asking questions, and you might find yourself getting swept off your feet by the perfect new job.

Initial Interview: The 'Falling in Love' Stage

Asking for and discussing a bureaucratic checklist of benefits or responsibilities is no way to entice a new employer to fall in love with you. The goal of the first interview is mostly to figure out if you like the company and if they like you and could use your skills. Also, this is a time to look for subtle clues about the workplace -- take note of the office mood, corporate culture, and how you are treated. Did anyone offer you a coffee or water? Do people make eye contact or say, "Hello"? Can you hear laughter anywhere?

Once the interview starts, the questions you pose to your interviewer should open up dialogue on broader topics such as your professional values and goals, and how they all might align with company goals. Keep the tone personable and look for ways to convey your passions. Doing so will help you come across as confident and knowledgeable, and that can set you apart from other candidates. Furthermore, the depth of information you'll be able to discuss will leave the interviewer with a much clearer picture about who you are every day.

For example, Stevens advises people to avoid the question, "What will my duties be?" Instead, he suggests posing a similar question this way: "I visited your Web site, and I liked what I saw. How would I be able to contribute to those values in this position?"

Changing the way you ask a rather standard question can lead to a more interesting dialogue and give you a more complete idea of the job. It also shows your potential employer that you are aware of the company goals and that you are someone who will find ways to make them happen.

Second Interview: The 'Going Steady' Stage

If you're asked in for a second interview, you've obviously struck the company's fancy, and you can begin to ask some of the more difficult questions -- tactfully, of course.

Your goal in this stage is to add detail to the broad picture that was painted earlier and to answer any doubts or concerns that you may have about the job. If your research has found a black mark in the company's record, ask about how that's been corrected. If you've found that the company's financial situation is a little rocky, ask how that's being addressed.

Keep in mind, though, that the formats of follow-up interviews vary widely. You may be meeting with more people than you did in the first interview, or you might just meet with the same people to further explore some topics previously discussed. Either way, you may be asked some of the same questions you were asked before, and you may want to ask some of the same questions as well.

If everything is going well at the end of this stage, you should feel fairly comfortable with this company and envisioning a future with them should be positive and without too many doubts or unknowns.

Job Offer: The Engagement Stage

Congratulations! They want you to join their company -- and no matter how excited you may be, don't jump too soon. This is the time to negotiate the nitty-gritty of numbers and benefits. If you have any remaining concerns, is this company willing to bend to meet them? Are you willing to compromise something in return? Don't stop looking at this as a relationship at this point -- neither party should be asked to sacrifice too much.

If negotiations begin to feel uncomfortable, ask about the larger concern of the employer. Is it that you might be earning more than a supervisor? Are they nervous about giving you the responsibility you'd like to take on? Find out the root of any concerns and see if there are compromises that can be made so both you and your employer feel like you're being treated fairly.

Remember, as with dating, one interview process is never the same as the next, and you may have to trust your gut to know when the time is right to ask some of the more difficult questions. Tread softly but confidently through the sticky topics -- succeeding in this will likely set you up for a rewarding relationship with your next employer.

Jobs Sources , Career

From Offbeat Hobby to Lucrative Business

by Clare Kaufman, VendorSeek.com


It's just crazy enough to work: countless Americans strike gold every year transforming their offbeat hobbies into businesses. In a diverse country that rewards idiosyncrasy, there is a market for just about everything. And thanks to e-commerce solutions, it's never been easier or cheaper to access that market and build your passion into a living.

Chris Anderson described the phenomenon in his best-selling book "The Long Tail": e-commerce solutions have given rise to micro-markets, as legions of Web surfers access products that match the most idiosyncratic interests. Collectors of antique slot machines? Check. Punk kids looking for counterculture knitting patterns? Check.

5 Labors of Love Paired With E-Commerce

No matter what your passion, there's someone out there who shares it. The following five entrepreneurs prove that it's possible to build a lucrative business on the most quirky of personal obsessions. With the help of e-commerce solutions and other small business support services, you have the tools to transform your hobby into a business.

1. Birdhouse Artisan. His name is Michael Parayno, but his Berkeley, California, neighbors know him as "the birdhouse guy." A lifelong tinkerer, Parayno began building off-the-wall birdhouses in order to get rid of the wood from his decommissioned garden fence. Neighbors took notice, and he began selling the handmade birdhouses right off his front yard.

That was over a decade ago. Today, the Berkeley birdhouse guy owns a lucrative business selling hand-crafted birdhouses. E-commerce solutions have played an important role in helping Parayno find customers, market his products, and even sell birdhouses using an online point-of-sale (POS) service.

2. Pinball Restoration Service. Whom do you call to get that antique machine spitting pinballs again? Where do you go when only a pinball machine will complete your game room? The Snyder family offers a one-stop shop for vintage pinball restorations and sales.

To reach their small but passionate market of pinball wizards, the Snyders operate both a brick-and-mortar store and an Internet storefront. The store website, which lovingly markets the vintage machines, owes its existence to a Web design firm that specializes in e-commerce solutions for small businesses.

3. Jellyfish Aquarium Construction. Jellyfish have special needs. The gorgeous and ethereal creatures have eluded standard fish tanks, which lack the technology to keep them alive. Until Alex Andon, a laid-off biotechnology worker, developed the means to keep jellyfish alive in captivity. Evidently, there's a market for pet jellyfish: A restaurant was among the first in line for a tank. Price tag: $25,000. Cool factor: priceless.

With several charter clients under his belt, Andon is developing his hobby into a business selling desktop jellyfish tanks for a comparatively affordable $249. E-commerce solutions are critical to bringing the venture to the niche masses. The Web design caters to jellyfish customers with a range of aquarium products and a credit card processing system.

4. Teddy Bear-Stuffing Parties. Parents charged with entertaining a roomful of pint-size partygoers will be thrilled to discover Teddy Bears to Go, which hosts teddy bear-stuffing parties for children. Lisa Roby, a single mother of two, started the small business when she lost her advertising job. Her new labor of love suits her just fine: "It's the most wonderful job I've ever done," says Roby. "It's so rewarding."

To get the word out to parents, Roby relies on a variety of e-commerce solutions. Media placements and a compelling Web design ensure a steady stream of teddy bear-stuffing birthday party requests.

5. Pet Detective. Animal lovers have a wealth of opportunities to transform their passion into a business. Linda Callaway found her niche market in owners who have lost pets. Her four coonhounds have a knack for tracking lost pets. And Callaway has discovered a knack -- and the resources -- for turning the dogs' noses into a small business.

Pet detectives can take advantage of online advertising to locate local pet owners in need of their services. Pay-per-click management services, for example, can help pet detectives bid strategically on search terms related to their service and locality --"Denver area pet detective," for example. A Web site optimized with pertinent search terms can also net potential customers online. E-commerce solution providers typically offer packages that combine Web design with PPC management and SEO services.

The age of the micro-entrepreneur has arrived. Today's small business services are designed to help enterprising hobbyists turn their passions into paychecks. E-commerce solutions offer affordable resources to locate your niche market online, market your product or service, and even complete the sale. In today's long-tail economy, turning your hobby into a business is as simple as 1-2-3: a SEO-savvy Web design, PPC campaign management, and an online point-of-sale system.

Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers business and education topics.

Jobs Sources , Career

Sold! Sales Tricks to Help You Land Your Next Job

Sold! Sales Tricks to Help You Land Your Next Job
by Mike O'Brien, CEO, Climber.com


"I'm not interested in sales."

How many times have I heard that statement from job seekers in every industry -- even though, as business professionals, we're involved in some aspect of presenting (or "selling") ourselves and our ideas every day?

While I respect that not everyone is cut out to live the fast-paced, people-centric life of a sales person, just about every job candidate can benefit from a sales expert's insights, particularly when it comes to managing business relationships. By developing those skills yourself -- or by working with a recruiting service that understands the methods of successful selling -- you can make the most of your job-search process.

Here's a short three-step process to successful sales relationship management:

Prospect

To excel at sales, you first must know your product, and then search out the perfect customers for that product. As a job candidate -- your product is both you and your experience and skills. So the task here is two-fold:

* You must identify what you specifically can offer to an employer that sets you apart from other candidates, and
* You must identify the employers that would be a good match for what you have to offer.

In many cases, working with a recruiting service that helps you analyze your specific abilities and helps present your experience effectively can jumpstart your career search process. Try to create an engaging profile of yourself that goes beyond a simple resume, so that a prospective employer can get a sense of your style and your personality. In other words, make yourself memorable!

In addition, take advantage of services that allow you to narrow your search to the kind of companies who truly match your interests. You already know you don't want to work "just anywhere" -- so don't consider positions that aren't a good fit for you.

Contact

The second powerful tool for sales professionals is their contact process, or how they go about initiating a conversation with their prospective customers. This skill is also critical to your job search. Mass emailing your resume to every job available -- sometimes to multiple postings at the same company (I've seen it happen!) is not the recipe for success. Instead, each prospect should be considered individually -- whether it's a cutting edge online startup or a centuries-old bricks and mortar firm. By tailoring your message to match your prospect, you show respect and understanding -- and communicate that you value them as a partner in the search process.

Follow Up

Finally, the smart sales person is always "on" when it comes to conscientious follow-up. Similarly, a timely, thoughtful contact plan after each interview is essential for you to keep communication open with your key prospects -- particularly if you are considering multiple employers at the same time, which is frequently the case in today's job search process. At Climber.com, we provide candidates with a sophisticated contact management interface, but you can also set this up through your own email/calendaring service.

The Bottom Line: No matter what your field, when it comes to the job search process, you can give yourself an edge over the competition by taking a page out of the sales professional's handbook. Take the time to develop a true sales plan for prospecting, contacting, and following up with employers, or work with a job search service to help present you effectively. It can not only make a difference in how quickly you'll land a job -- it can help ensure you land the right position, as well.

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