Getting a Job. Some Helpful Tips on Maximizing Your Potential

So I actually have to get a real job. My season has slowed almost to a stop with my business and I don't have sufficient savings to propel me through to next season. I've been looking for jobs but it seems none of them pay much more than minimum wage and I'm looking to make at least $160 a day. However, there are a few jobs that are exceptions; Waiters, hosts, and sales.

Waiters and hosts make a significant cut of any tips that are left by satisfied patrons. This is especially great for anyone in North America because the normal tipping percentage here is much higher than in some European countries. I have a few friends that make up to $300 a day and no less than $150. Sales associates often work on a commission basis so if you are motivated and good with people this field also has similar potential with the max earnings depending on the product that you're selling. So after you decide which job would suit you (assuming you are ok with these 3 options) it's time to write up a resume.

I'm in an interesting position because I recently put out a job posting for my business and received 20 resumes, all varying in quality and I think I can at the very least tell you what not to do.

Do not:
have grammatical errors
think it's alright to forgo applying with a resume

I couldn't believe that people actually applied for the position with only a sentence or a couple that were full of spelling mistakes.

-I know the basics of gardening.. im looking for employment, i am interested

-Hi, my name is Andrew, I have lawn&garden maintenance Exp. do not have a job right now and would be intrested in

nowing more about the job,and now who im apllying with

thank look forwerd to hereing from you 3## ##2#

call eny time LM

Needless to say they weren't hired. Your resume is the only chance you have to get a call back so make it perfect. Spelling errors are not acceptable especially when spell check will take care of it for you. To me it just insinuates laziness. Now for some do's.

Do:
include a cover letter
add a photo of yourself

I received one application that included a cover letter. Even with only 10 or so qualified applicants it was difficult to remember which was which. If you include a cover letter or a photo you will subconsciously become more memorable to the interviewer. Anything you can think of to stand out should be done.

So let's say you actually get an interview, dress accordingly. You should always look well groomed and professional but if you are applying for a labor position there is no need for an expensive suit. A clean, matching outfit will suffice for most interviews of that kind.

Keep in mind through the whole process that you are trying to create an indelible impression on the company you are applying to so make it as memorable as possible.

Setting Short Term Financial Goals

I have been overwhelmed by my debt lately. Extreme debt and limited income really does feel like you're in a hole that you can't seem to pull yourself out of. I think I've been focusing too much on the big picture and I need to set some short term goals for myself.

I was on a forum today that I regularly visit and they had a post where you would write how much money you were going to spend that day. For some people it was a couple bucks here and there for a coffee or lunch, and for some it was nothing at all. I thought to myself "this is the kind of thing I need to start doing". I need to start setting daily goals. Mentally preparing myself every day to spend as little as possible. Today I had $5 in my pocket and I had some cheques to deposit, and some credit cards to pay off at the bank. So instead of driving my big truck I decided to walk to town and get a chai latte and a cheap piece of pizza. Those two items came to $4.75 on the dot and $.25 went into my change jar. It felt really good knowing that I only spent $5 for the entire day.

Try relieving your daily financial stress a little bit by setting short term goals. It works!

Getting Rid of Those Financial Wants

We all have them. Those lists of things that we can't wait to buy. New vehicles, clothes, boats, TV's, ipods. I even have a bookmarks folder that is dedicated to links of all of my wants. Right now, not an arms length away is a magazine called "The Robb Report" that is chalk full of all sorts of yachts, and fancy watches, and luxury items for one to dream about. No more! Right after I finish writing this sentence I am going to delete the bookmarks folder and throw away the magazine....

How does it feel you ask?

umm...

Simple I suppose? No longer will I be ranking which item will be the next in line to purchase. Oddly enough it also seems to relieve some of the financial stress that I've been feeling lately. It couldn't be that things that I haven't even spent money on yet could be causing me stress, could it?? THAT is scary.

Happy Halloween!

Dave Ramsey is an Inspiration

I was just cruising around youtube watching some video's on getting out of debt and I ran across a seminar that Dave Ramsey did called "Dumping Debt". It was fabulous. I don't know if any of you have heard his radio show but he does a lot to help people make the best decisions with their finances. The series is worth the watch.

Hello Everyone!

Well..To start off with I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I graduated high school in 2002 and have been studying music for most of the time since then. I recently graduated with a degree in music composition and after failing at starting a record label (after investing thousands) I am trying to grow my landscape maintenance business, buy some real estate, and get rid of my student loans.

I hope that the readers of this blog and gain some inspiration or knowledge from my struggles to achieve the financial goals I have set out for myself. This blog is as much for me as anyone. I believe it will keep me grounded and remind me daily of what I need to do if I want to reach financial freedom.