Get paid to attend the 2008 Super Bowl!

How can you attend the Super Bowl in Phoenix without a ticket - and get paid to be there? If you get a job working there, you could be one of the lucky ones!

Allied Barton Security Services, LLC is currently hiring. Pay is $11-14/hr and they train you so you can get an Arizona Guard License (cost $74). The first 250 people hired are guaranteed to work for the game. There are events surrounding the Super Bowl that guards will work.

A job fair was held last June to hire people, but you could still contact the employers mentioned in an Arizona Republic article. Other contractors may still have openings.

In the meantime, an October 28 Career Builder article in the Arizona Republic said there should be lots of holiday positions for determined job seekers in the Phoenix area. Resorts will hire more employees because of the Super Bowl. A holiday decorator hires extra people for the holidays. Some retailers will too. Dan Butler of the National Retailer Federation says that "distribution centers, warehouses and call centers - especially for Internet retailers - are all good opportunities for seasonal employment."

If you are looking to pick up some extra money this holiday season, the opportunities are there. Jaimie

For more information on finding short-term jobs, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com.

Workampers of the Year 2007

Oct. 25, 2007. Heber Springs, AR – Don and Marlene Boothroyd are the 2007 recipients of the Workampers of the Year award presented by Workamper® News. The Boothroyds were nominated by their employer at Salt Lake City KOA, Darren D. Menlove.For two seasons, the Boothroyds have Workamped for Salt Lake City KOA in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The nomination came “based on their competence, friendliness and high customer satisfaction.” Darren said. “Don and Marlene went way beyond their job description. We had many positive comments from our guests about the extra effort and treatment that Don and Marlene gave to them.

Don, “Mr. Fix-It’s,” primary responsibilities were in maintenance, specialty electrical projects and helping guests with special needs. “He was able and willing to take on any task from defining the problem with street lights and finding the remedy, to testing and fixing many of our utility systems,” Darren said.Marlene, “The Sunshine Lady’s,” primary responsibilities included meeting guests at the registration desk, escorting them to their RV sites and making sure they had everything they needed. “Marlene asked for and took on the responsibility of designing and implementing our ‘Guest Activities Program.’” Darren said. “These events were as varied as ice cream socials, children’s crafts and games and musical performances.”

These Workampers were chosen out of the nominations sent in this year after the contest was announced in the Workamper® News July/August issue. The Boothroyds will receive a framed certificate, $100 Gift Certificate to the Workamper® Bookstore and a mention in the Workamper® News November/December issue. They will be presented their award at the ARVC/KOA 2007 Convention in Phoenix, Arizona the second week of November.

This is the tenth year for this award, which honors Workampers who display excellence in job performance and epitomize the true Workamper® spirit. Workampers are adventuresome singles/couples who enjoy a lifestyle that combines a variety of interesting work opportunities with RV living.For more information on Workamper® News, visit Workamper.com or call 800-446-5627.

Congratulations, Don and Marlene! Jaimie

Teaching an employer your value

In an issue of Performance magazine, I read an article by Darryl Baskin, a real estate broker, about teaching value to his clients. He is one of the top agents in his area so normally sells houses very quickly. As a result, he's been asked for a discount by home sellers because he didn't have to work very long to sell their house. In other words, he does his job better, but people want to pay him less. What he started doing in his initial presentation to potential home sellers is ask: "Is it OK if I sell your home quickly?" The stunned homeowner always responds, "Of course!" They then go on to discuss it and Darryl explains that he is getting paid by the task, not to put on a show to drag the process out so it looks like he worked hard.

How does that apply to working on the RV road? In order to get top compensation, Workampers need to teach an employer what their value is. An experienced Workamper can hit the ground running. They are less likely to make mistakes that can cost money or a customer. They encourage repeat business by their attitude and professionalism. An employer may be "penny-wise, pound-foolish" when it comes to spending money, not thinking about the costs that can result when an employee drives away business or can't handle a task. Think about how you can convey your real value to an employer and then don't be afraid to ask for above average compensation. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Are RV owners getting rich off their workers?

What do you think the average RV park takes in in revenues per year? The answer might surprise you. According to Research and Markets:

Over 4,000 recreational vehicle (RV) parks and campgrounds in the US have combined annual revenue of about $2 billion. Major companies include Kampgrounds of America (KOA) and Thousand Trails. Most RV parks and campgrounds are single locations and privately held. The RV parks and campgrounds industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies account for about 25 percent of industry revenue. A typical campground has less than $500,000 in annual revenue and about five employees.

They go on to say that campgrounds are labor intensive, average annual revenue per employee is less than $100,000.

How much of that revenue is profit does depend on whether this is an established campground run by the same owners for years or if there are new owners. If the owners have purchased the park recently, they could have a huge debt load. Insurance and utilities are major costs too. Campgrounds are not inexpensive.

So, the answer is that some parks could pay more - and some have high expenses offsetting that revenue. Workers on the RV road should know that compensation varies considerably. In winter, paying jobs are not as plentiful as in summer and, in some areas like Florida, RV parks can generally get plenty of workers and require up to 24 hours of work per week just for the site!

The best thing is not to worry about whether the park owner could be paying you more. Determine what you need and want in the way of compensation in the general location that you want. Chances are there is a match for you if you focus and are persistent. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Be polite - the importance of thank you's

If you are not sending a written thank you note after an interview, you are missing a great opportunity to sell yourself and to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. It is a chance to get your name in front of the owner or hiring official once again. By mentioning the date and position you are applying for, you reinforce your interest in the job.

Besides a "thanks," be sure to mention your keen interest in the job and the main thing(s) you have to offer. If you talked with more than one person in the company, send thank you notes to each.

While an e-mail thank you is better than none at all, a hand-written note will be more noticeable and make you stand out even more. Jaimie

For more information on interviewing and negotiating, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com.

Temps not just office workers

Usually when I think of temporary workers I think of Kelly Girls (now Kelly Services), picturing secretaries and receptionists as their clientele. While there are still many temporary agencies that place office workers, just about every kind of worker can be supplied by a temp agency. As a result, they seek workers with that training to meet their clients' needs.

Looking through a few job newspapers and other sources, these are some of the occupations and areas needed:

• Blue collar workers like in production, assembly, warehouse
• Skilled trades like carpenters, electricians, plumbers
• Nurses and other medical type workers, including physicians
• Personal care
• Accounting professionals- all levels
• Computers, info tech, Internet
• Engineers
• Legal
• Marketing

What is nice for workers on the RV road is that you can decide what days you want to work, hours and pay. Of course, if you are not available most of the time, the agency will call someone else first. And your salary should be realistic. But if you need a day off for a doctor's appointment, you simply tell them you are not available.

Some national agencies even offer health insurance if you work enough for their company. You can also you can travel to a new area, check in with that branch, and start working there without having to fill out all the paperwork again.

Sme RV workers find they can make more money, with less hassles, by taking jobs outside of RV parks. With a temporary job you can use old skills and probably earn more than the minimum wage. Even after paying for your RV site, you could come out ahead money-wise. Something to think about! Jaimie

For more information on working for temporary agencies and other short-term jobs, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com.

Work at the polls

I just saw an ad for poll workers for the November 6 election. This is a paid position which involves a short period of training, then working all day at the polls. The polls are usually open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with poll workers starting an hour before the polls open and working an hour after the polls close.

Checking in a couple of places, in Alameda County, CA, pay is between $95 and $120/day. In Harris, KY, pay is $6/hour. They prefer you work the whole 12 hours.

Most do require that you be a registered voter in that area, so if you'll be near your domicile where you are registered to vote, you can not only help your community and do your civic duty, but get paid to do so! Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Credit card signups

An October 11 article in the Chicago Tribune, "Project targets credit cards on campus," reminds me that some RV friends worked at booths on college campuses signing college kids up for credit cards a few years ago. They had gifts to give students when they completed an application. They, in turn, were paid by the number of applications they turned in. As I recall, they received a couple of dollars per completed application so the money could be good.

While the potential sounded good, in practice our friends did not get paid for all applications turned in. The company found excuses not to count some - usually a piece of information that was left off. Our friends ended up making copies of each application before turning it in. Jerry would spend time on the phone going through all the applications with them because the company wasn't paying them for applications that were in fact complete. They finally decided that this type of work was not worth the hassle.

Many college campuses have banned credit card companies from soliciting students on campus. This is a lucrative business, so credit companies try to find work-arounds.As the above article says, one scheme is to offer coupons for free subs. When the student gets to the sub shop, it is only valid if they sign up for a credit card.

Another couple did credit card signups at golf tournaments. They too, found it not worth the hassle and quit before too long. Be wary of taking this type of job. It hasn't turned out to be as good as it sounds for the RV workers I've talked to.

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Selling pumpkins and Christmas trees

As we drove on Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe, NM, we passed a colorful display of pumpkins in a church lot. The owners of some pumpkin lots, particularly the larger ones with more elaborate offerings, hire Workampers to run their operations. These larger pumpkin lots may have mazes, hay rides and other attractions in addition to pumpkin sales. Most are in full swing now. Christmas tree lots will open up the day after Thanksgiving.

If this is something you might like to do one year, stop at these larger pumpkin lots and see what is involved - especially if you do see an RV on the premises. It's a good way to check out this work for next year.

Same with Christmas trees. Some are still advertising (see Workamper News for ads), but if you miss out this year, check out any lots you see and find out how they work. Ask about your RV site- will there be hookups? How does compensation work? Will any expenses, such as hiring help for busy times, come out of your pay? What physical tasks do you have to do and will there be help?

While labor intensive, pumpkin and Christmas tree sales can be a good way to earn a lump sum of money in a relatively short time. It's fun to help people pick out their trees or just the right pumpkin!

For information on finding this type of job and hundreds of others, see Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., Available at RVBookstore.com

Railroad man

Two days ago we rode the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. We rode the bus from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM where we boarded our train. Our day was outstanding- perfect weather and the aspen were at the heighth of their color. In spite of the fact that the train has a coal-fired steam engine and spews cinders, we spent most of the time riding on an open platform car.

We rode one train to Osier, the halfway point and lunch stop, and changed trains for the final journey back to Antonito. Allen Noel was our interpreter on the afternoon ride. His tag said "full-time RVer" so I asked him about his position. Allen volunteers for six weeks as a docent on the train. This is his 2nd season. After a week or so of training, docents must pass a test. Because this is a living history museum and the railroad is a state and federal historic site, accuracy is important.

Dick, an RV friend, has taken his RV for several years to one of the two-week work sessions that the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad have each year. The focus is to restore the railroad, its equipment and the line to what it was like around the turn of the century and be historically accurate. Volunteers might work on an old car or do painting and gardening.

Volunteering for this nonprofit railway has only one benefit, according to Allen - a free lunch on the days your work. RVers must pay for their own site in an RV park. See the Friends' website for more information on their volunteer opportunities.

Another friend who was also ranger when I worked for Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway, Alaska, ended up working at the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for a couple of seasons. Craig was paid to do what Allen does, that is tell passengers about the history and what they are seeing on the train ride. WP/YR is a commercial tourist railway.

If you are a train buff, you can find paid and unpaid opportunities to work on or for a tourist or historical railroad. The sound of the whistle, the steam pouring out the stack, the sound of the wheels against the rails. That's the lure of the railroads and an era mostly gone by. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.