With the ranks of unemployed growing, and the number of available jobs shrinking, many of America’s jobless are considering freelance careers. We have talked about freelancing many times here at the JobMonkey blog, including posts about the benefits and challenges of working for yourself. (Do you read, for example, this recent post about how to avoid Work-at-Home scams?) The Green Bay Press Gazette ran a great little advice column today with tips for freelancers, including ideas for marketing your services, handling the accounting red tape, and making sure you have adequate health ins...

Volunteering has become a popular theme here lately at the JobMonkey blog. The New York Times reported earlier this week on the burgeoning ranks of volunteers in New York City. Laid-off workers are turning in droves to volunteer organizations to help them fill their time and contribute to people in need, while still aggressively looking for a new job. Remember this post from last week about how to volunteer your way into a new job? I’m thinking some of those New York volunteers might be hoping to network, too, while serving up soup or rescuing stray animals. Nothing wrong with that! I...

Every Thursday, the JobMonkey blog answers your burning questions about your job search. So far, we have covered how to negotiate a salary offer, how to write a cover letter for a nursing job, and how to find a summer job at Disney World. Do you have a question about your job search? Send me an email or leave me a note in the comment section. Dear JobMonkey, I am a Stay at Home mom looking to earn some extra money, while still staying at home with my kids. I need to find something that I can do during nap times or at night, once my kids are in bed. I have looked at some Work at Home sites, but...

We talk a lot here on the JobMonkey blog about the importance of networking. And really, I don’t think the impact of effective networking can be underestimated: Career experts tell us that 60-80% of all new jobs are landed through networking connections. But what if you are already talking to everyone you know (and everyone they know), regularly updating your profile on LinkedIn, attending networking parties, and participating in industry events … and yet you still haven’t found a job? How about this non-conventional networking idea: Volunteering? The personal and professional...

Every Thursday, the JobMonkey blog answers your burning questions about your job search. In past weeks, we’ve talked about negotiating a salary offer, pursing a nursing career, and supporting a laid-off spouse. Do you have a question for the JobMonkey? Send me an email or leave me a note in the comment section. Dear JobMonkey, Hi! I am a 17 year old high school student from Germany. I want to work at Disney World this summer. What do I need to do to get a job at Magic Kingdom? Thanks, Greta Dear Greta, I have to tell you that we get a lot of letters like yours. Most of them have come fro...

Every Monday at the JobMonkey blog, we focus on a different career path and the educational background you need to get started.  Whether you are still in high school and thinking about your future, or you are a professional in a different field looking to try something new, the information here should help you get started on your journey. If there is a career that you are particularly interested in learning more about, please let me a note in the comments section so I can feature it in the coming weeks. There are many different career paths for someone wishing to work in the veterinary fie...

Each Monday, the JobMonkey blog focuses on an emerging market — a hot job sector where you just might find your dream job. If there is a market you are interested in that we haven’t covered yet, please leave a comment so we can be sure to write about the areas that appeal to you! Imagine spending your days working in the vineyards, cultivating the perfect grape. Or blending an award-winning Cabernet. Or pouring a flawless glass of Sauvignon Blanc as a sommelier. It sounds exciting, exotic and possibly even a little inebriating, right? But jobs in the steadily growing wine indust...

Happy Labor Day! I can’t imagine a better day to kick-off this new blog at Job Monkey than on Labor Day.  What perfect timing. Whether you are looking for seasonal employment or a year-round career, JobMonkey is committed to helping you connect with unique opportunities to travel the world, have fun and earn money doing it! Each week, I’ll be bringing you hot employment opportunities in a variety of diverse job sectors and providing you valuable job hunting resources.  I’ll also be putting the spotlight on growing industries, like green collar jobs and traveling nurses (to ...