Las Vegas Action News ran a story yesterday about the extraordinary lengths some people will go to in this tight economic climate to make some extra money. There are folks selling their plasma and others selling their hair. And then there are those who are trying to save money by spending it. The story quotes a representative from the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, who says that you can make anywhere from $5 to over $100 per assignment. And did you know that in Nevada, you must have a license to mystery shop? Yup, you need a private investigator’s license, plus you have to wr...

Yesterday, I delved into the sometimes scary subject of employment background checks and credit reports. You know, the ones that potential employers will likely run on you before making you a job offer. Gone are the days when an employer would half-heartedly check your references. Today, employers are going gangbusters to make sure that they have the best fit for their company… and part of being the best fit means being low-risk. You may be worried that past indiscretions or poor judgment could cost you dearly. What can you do to protect yourself? Here’s a look at some advice from t...

CNN reported earlier this month that enrollment in online degree programs and professional certifications is booming during the economic recession. For those who have been laid off (or fear being laid off), working on an online degree can be an easy and convenient way to enhance their resumes while still having plenty of time to job search. Online programs are upping their marketing ante to focus on attracting career changers. And it isn’t just the slogans that are changing. A number of new programs have been created to target the most in-demand, recession-proof fields, such as nursin...

Let’s say you just got back from a stellar interview. You made the perfect impression. Knocked the interview questions out of the park. In short: You killed it, you’re sure of it. The only thing standing between you and the job of your dreams, now, is the dreaded background check. According to some estimates, as many as 40% of job applicants lie or exaggerate about their background on job applications or resumes. That sobering statistic, combined with a rise in on-the-job violence and security concerns in the post 9-11 era, have convinced 9 out of 10 employers that they need to ...

Happy weekend, JobMonkey readers! I hope you had such a productive week going out on job interviews that you didn’t have time to catch up on all the great content here on the blog. Whatever the reason you may have missed some posts, here’s a quick roundup of all the posts since last Monday.  I’ll see you back here on Monday! >> Health Insurance Options for Freelancers >> Reader Mailbag: Travel Nursing Jobs for Non-Americans (definitely worth a read if you are looking for a travel nursing gig or if you want to work in America and need info on foreign worker permit...

We all have a desire for meaningfulness in our work. We may even long for our work to nurture us and provide us with avenues for growth. Nestled among the Redwoods on the northern Californian coast in Sonoma County sits the developing Buddhist retreat center, Ratna Ling. Here a dedicated group have come together to create a community offering a life style which combines work with personal and spiritual growth. Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku over 35 years ago founded group of organizations in the San Francisco Bay area for the purpose of giving Westerners a doorway to the Tibetan Buddhist teach...

I wish I had the energy to come up with some pithy intro for my weekly link love, but for some reason I just don’t have it in me today. (Could be the fact that our weather guy is predicting 6 inches of snow this weekend. It’s nearly April, for pete sake!) Nonetheless, I have gathered some great reading material for you this weekend, so please enjoy! >> Social Networking Sites for Freelancers @ All Freelance I love lists, and this post has them in spades. If you are thinking about launching your freelance career, be sure to bookmark a bunch of these social networking sites....

Summer jobs for high school students and young adults are getting a boost from Stimulus Bill funding. A series of recent articles from papers around the country are reporting tens of thousands of dollars (and in some cases millions of dollars) pouring into local community employment programs. In El Paso, Texas, for example, three thousand 14 to 24 year olds from low-income families can earn $6.55 to $7.25 an hour for working or getting classroom job training this summer. Similar programs are happening in Portage County, Ohio and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. And in Kent County, Michigan, ...

Each Thursday, I get to do my favorite thing on this blog: Answer your questions about your job search. I love hearing what’s on your mind, so please don’t be shy! Send me an email or leave me your question in the comments section. Just this week, I fielded two separate questions about how to find work in America when you are not an American citizen. I am going to feature one of the letters here today — but please know that the advice about work visas applies to any non-citizen interested in working in the United States. Dear JobMonkey, I have completed MBBS MD Physicians deg...

I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but given the constant wire stories about it, it seems the mystery shopper scam is still alive and well. I guess when the economy is down and people are eager to make a quick buck, scam artists like these can find easy prey. Here’s the deal with the scam: A supposed mystery shopping marketing firm in Texas sends you a check in the mail for several thousand dollars. They ask you to deposit the check and use the cash to evaluate the service of a hotel, restaurant or store in your area. Then you’re supposed to wire the rest of the money back to the...