Job idea - parking cars

Have you wanted to drive a Porsche or BMW? a Corvette or Hummer? Maybe you can't afford your own, but perhaps you can get a chance to drive one! In The Employment Guide in Los Angeles, I saw an ad for parking attendants and valets. In CA, at least, so many restaurants, events, parking garages, hotels, and shopping centers offer valet parking for those in a hurry.

My guess is there is a lot of turnover for the lower do-it positions. If you plan to be in a metropolitan area for a few months or a season, you'd have a good chance of being hired even if you'll only be available for a few months. Valets make decent tips in addition to an hourly wage. You do need a clean DMV record and a driver's license from the state you'll be working in. The free employment newspapers could have ads. Or look up parking garages and find out the contact information for hiring. And you could check at shopping centers and hotels or even an airport. Another possibility - plus you might get to drive some pretty awesome cars! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

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Amused all day

Last week we took the grandkids to Universal Studios in Hollywood. This time of year even a Monday was packed. We got there right when it opened and went on The Simpsons, the newest ride, and Shrek, another popular ride right away. The Simpsons still took one hour. The alternative is to pay twice as much for a "front-of-the-line" ticket. That allows you to get in a special line and enter ahead of the general admission tickets.

We also did the narrated backlot tour via tram. The movie-making industry uses lots of RVs. They were parked in rows. Some were labeled wardrobe, others were probably for use of the stars.

Universal hires hundreds of workers during their busy season. They have people near the beginning of the line to guide people into other waiting lines. Others escort you to a ride or help you enter or board. The Water World Show had three fellows directing traffic and entertaining the audience before it started. Actors and stunt people starred in the show. We had photos taken with characters like Shrek. (The older grandson was camera shy.)

Then there were all the carts and eateries and shops that were staffed with people. At the gate, ticket sellers and ticket takers greeted us first, then someone stamped your hand if you were leaving but returning to the park. You get the picture.

Universal Studios in Hollywood is not the best place for working on the RV road because RV parks are far and few between. Unless you could park in a relative's driveway, you would have a long commute. Working at the Orlando, Florida location could be doable and a fun way to spend a winter. There are RV parks within commuting distance there. Read more about their jobs and benefits at their job site. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

San Diego opportunities

We are in San Diego with grandkids after George's son's wedding in L.A. last weekend. In the Job Giant I saw an ad for an RV resort for shuttle bus drivers and janitorial staff. You get discounts on boat rentals and resort stays as perks. This resort also advertises in Workamper News.

Another ad by a staffing company had positions in both San Diego County and Imperial County in construction, delivery drivers, light industrial and office.

In an area like San Diego, jobs are available most any time because of turnover. In fact, many tourist areas have nearly constant job openings because they lose workers all season. If you only want to work for part of a season, filling a mid-season opening can be the way to accomplish that. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

Thousand Trails hit by layoffs

Thousand Trails, the San Francisco-based operator of RV camping and outdoor preserve communities, is being purchased by Equity LifeStyle Properties. When that sale is complete, 144 positions at its headquarters will be eliminated. An additional 97 employees working off-site will also lose their jobs.

Mergers and acquisitions frequently cause staff reductions. It could also be affected indirectly by fuel prices. If income is down then reducing expenses is one way to improve the bottom line. What some executives forget is that the staffers can make or break the visitor's experience. Let's hope the quality of service does not go down or they may find even fewer guests wanting the Thousand Trails experience.

If you are thinking of working for Thousand Trails (which also has some concession contracts in national forests) you might want to check to see if this park or area is marked for staff reductions so you don't get surprised mid-season. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Looking for short term work

Not every worker on the RV road wants to work for 4-6 months in one place. There are too many places to see!

If you are looking for short-term work, consider events like fairs, spring training, races, conventions. You can check at the location (like a fairground), concessionaire (spring training) or temporary agencies. Sometimes you can get a job at the beginning of the season at a place that has a longer season, or for just September and possibly October after the college kids have gone back to school. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

Tip: always know the next step

Tip for workers on the RV road: When you are job seeking, before you end a conversation with an employer, make sure you know what the next step is and the time frame so you can follow up if you don’t hear back by then.

This way, you'll always have a reason to call back and touch base if you don't hear anything by the agreed upon time. Otherwise, you can be left hanging for sometimes a long time. The employer's schedule for hiring may not be as fast as you would like. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

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A chuckle about references

I saw this blurb in the free Flag Live paper last week.

"Authorities searching for Sharon Platt after she was accused of stealing $5,000 while working as an office manager for Murphy Motors in Williston, N.D., located the suspect in Pittsburgh, where she applied for a job and listed Murphy Motors as a reference. Williams County Sheriff's Capt. Bob Stancel said Platt was arrested after the owner of Murphy Motors reported her whereabouts when the Pennsylvania company called to check her reference."

You should always check with a company before using them as a reference to make sure they remember you and that it will be a good one. However, use some common sense! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Think about safety- carrying an axe almost cost a life

My son-in-law, Rich, was taking a break from chopping down a tree with an axe. He walked down the slope in the backyard to the house, carrying the axe over his shoulder. One slight problem - he had the sharp side sticking up. He slipped on the grass and fell backwards onto the axe. The cut was 2 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inches deep. When Rich went to the doctor the next day (I know- but he's a man!) because his vision was blurred and he was dizzy, the doctor said he had a concussion. If the axe had cut him two inches over from where it did, he would be dead.

Our first summer working on the road at the Grand Tetons, one of the other maintenance workers was helping the carpenter with a roofing job. Our boss had us do other tasks first because the early-morning frost on the metal roof made it very slippery. Ron started before the sun had dried the roof. He climbed up the ladder, stepped on the slick roof and fell off, landing on his back. He wasn't injured but he could have been seriously hurt. He didn't take the time to check the roof and test how slippery it was before attempting to walk up the slope to where the carpenter was.

Workers on the RV road who worked in a manufacturing or industrial setting undoubtedly had safety drilled into their head with weekly or biweekly safety meetings. Others of us might not be so conscious of things that could injure or kill us.

Carrying tools so the cutting edge or sharp end is pointed down, testing your footing on a potentially slippery surface, wearing eye and ear protection when called for can save you from injury. These apply on the job but also around your RV. An RV roof can be slippery too. Tools you get out for repairs could hurt you if not used properly. Knives used in the kitchen can be dangerous if not used with care.

Be conscious of safety in all your actions, particularly on the job. An injury hurts and takes time away from productive activities. Rich is missing a whole week of work as a result of unconsciously swinging and axe over his shoulder instead of deliberately pointing the sharp side down. He's uncomfortable too. Don't let that happen to you. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

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What's a key word?

When you send your resume in to an employer after seeing an advertisement, make sure you use the right "key words." Large companies often use electronic scanners to search for key words or phrases for the particular opening. While smaller companies don't do this, an employer's eye is still going to be drawn to a resume that uses the same words he does. And, if you use Workamper's Awesome Applicant database, employers can search for key words to select resumes to consider.

Key words can be classified into three categories:

• Position: manager, front desk, secretary, dealer
• Type of work or tasks: maintenance, reservations, registration, management, housekeeping
• Characteristics: self-starter, hard worker, initiative, attention to detail

Before you send off your resume, look at it and see if you are using the same terms that you see in the ad. If not, add or substitute. If you use the word "janitor" and the employer is looking for "maintenance," you might not be seen as qualified. Using the key words that an employer uses in the ad will increase your chances of getting an interview and getting hired. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

Can you Workamp with pets?

Have you ever camped next to an RV with a dog that barked the entire time their owner was gone? It gets annoying, doesn't it. And then there is the owner who lets their dog off-lead because "It won't bite" or who doesn't pick up after their dog. Employers have every reason to be leery of hiring someone who has a pet. Many campgrounds limit the size, breed and number of pets campers can have and even charge extra for pets. They've had bad experiences with irresponsible pet owners.

So what are your chances of finding a Workamping position if you have pets? They are good - if your pets are well-behaved and you are a responsible pet owner. This means your dog should not bark continually when you are gone. It means your dog stays on the leash except in pet parks or areas designated for dogs to run. You pay attention to what your dog is doing and don't let them go up to people unless they want to pet your dog. You pay attention to where your dog relieves itself and pick up after him. You limit the number of pets you travel with.

Never show up to a job with pets the employer doesn't know about. You could have a very short tenure there. I suggest that in your Workamper resume, you can add a remark that you travel with....... (two cats that never go outside, two well-behaved, quiet Cocker Spaniels, one friendly, well-behaved Golden Retriever, etc.) You could include your pet's photo and even a letter of reference from a previous employer about how well your pet behaves. Those will help reassure the employer that your pet will not be a problem.

The most annoying is hearing a pet barking whenever the owner is gone. How do you keep your pet from barking? Start when they are young to teach them when they can bark and when to be quiet. You don't want to stop all barking or they may not bark when there is an intruder, but they can learn to give one woof or to not bark unless someone is right in their space. What many working RV pet owners is leave the TV or radio or air conditioner on when they leave. The noise screens out many noises that could cause your pet to bark.

Pets can add much enjoyment to your life and travels. Walking a dog or sitting out with a cat on a leash can be a great way to meet people too. Not all employers will accept pets but keep looking and you'll find a situation that works for you. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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