Go for the good night kiss!

A new book out, Courting Your Career by Shawn Graham, uses dating metaphors to walk job searchers through every part of the job search process. It's much of the same thing others have said but couched in different language.

1. Know your type: Go after something that's a fit rather than going from one bad relationship to another.
2. Play the field: You don't marry the first person you date, so don't take the first job offer.
3. Go for the good night kiss: Don't leave the interview without knowing the next step.

It's good solid advice, just stated in different terms. It does give food for thought, though many of us workers on the RV road are a long ways from dating! 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.

Use a SEPP to pay health insurance

A legitimate concern for younger RVers is how to afford health insurance. Chuck Saletta, writing at the Motley Fool Web site, in "The real reason for to invest for retirement," suggests a way. He says, "Your retirement is far more than simply no longer showing up to work. It's about having the freedom to do what you want in life, and enough control over your personal finances to enjoy that freedom." With a SEPP (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments) plan, you can start withdrawing your retirement money early, without getting socked by penalties.

If you continue working, Saletta suggests, you can switch to a job you love while having the SEPP pay you health insurance. It does mean you have a few things lined up. You would want to have your RV paid for and be out of debt. Rather than $2 million saved to finance a full retirement, Saletta says $400,000 could work. In some areas of the country, the sale of your house could give you all or most of that to work with. You would also need to continue to make enough money to add to your retirement if you plan to eventually stop working. And, once you begin the payments, you must continue to receive them for five years or until you are 59 1/2, whichever is longer.

This could work for some people. It would take planning and saving ahead of time. It would also mean finding higher paying jobs on the road or having your own business. Working at an RV park would probably not cut it. There are other possibilities, though. Workamper is, in fact, having Jobinars (online Job Fairs) this week with companies that pay higher than average wages.

Read the article and decide. Maybe we'll see you out on the road a little earlier! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

Transition to the Workamper lifestyle

It isn't always as smooth as you'd hoped, but selling everything and working on the RV road can work out even if you are not retired. Trudy and Lisa quit their jobs in New York City, sold their brownstone and purchased a vintage Blue Bird Wanderlodge motorcoach. They had some money set aside but did not have their motorcoach inspected by a reliable mechanic so have had to shell out several thousand dollars for repairs - plus it is old.

In spite of that, they have finally found a job that works for them: working for AGS selling advertising for RV park site maps. They tried a variety of jobs like clerking at Wal-Mart and working the morning shift at McDonald's - and they went into debt. Now they can deduct their travel expenses. “Now instead of driving a big old money pit, we drive a big old tax deduction,” says Trudy. Their RV site is free when they are working on a map. They are paying off their debt and making decent money.

Sometimes it takes a while to get life on the road sorted out, especially if you begin full-time RVing before retirement age and need to earn all your income on the road. Trudy and Lisa, though, show it can be done. Read the full article in the New York Times here. 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.

Maine jobs

We are in Maine for a month. It is interesting to see jobs in an area that you might not see everywhere else. One ad in the Portland Maine Sunday Telegram, is for an airplane painter at $15/hour. Water-related jobs were listed: dock worker, boat hand, fish culler and shrink wrapper detailer for the marine industry. The feature article traces a fellow's rise to Boat Yard Manager.

Actually there aren't many job openings when you consider the area the paper serves. Most of the general labor jobs require heavy lifting - not what older Workampers usually want to do. Workers on the RV road can work in Maine; RV parks and resorts do advertise in Workamper News. It is a gorgeous state with lots to see and do, but you would be better off looking for a seasonal job through sources like Workamper rather than coming here and then looking for a job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Paid to drive

Fred and Laura Ellis receive a free full hookup RV site in exchange for driving the roads of Great Smoky National Park. They are volunteers in the park whose job is to drive the park roads in order to assist motorists, hikers and other visitors with information or roadside assistance. They were also given park service uniforms to wear and a distinctive Toyota Prius to drive that makes them easy for visitors to spot. The car, emblazoned with a scene of mountain streams and wildflowers and topped with an emergency light, is one of four donated by Toyota for the park's use. You can see a photos and read the full article here.

Volunteering in a national park is not restricted to being a camphost. All sorts of jobs can be filled by volunteers. In fact, you might be able to create a position if you have a special skill or interest that could benefit the park. 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.

Circus family home on the road

His cousin called one night. He was starting a circus and needed a lion and tiger man. Ted McRae said sure! He went from driving a forklift on the night shift at a paint factory to working with lions, tigers and a large snake. He is now ringmaster of the Circus Vargus.

McRae, his wife and two boys travel in a Land Yacht motorhome 44 weeks of the year. The two boys live in a trailer they also tow. The boys, 16 and 18, ride unicycles and juggle. They take courses via the Florida Virtual School. Their older 22 year-old brother has graduated to working for Ringling Brothers as a lighting technician. (Read the entire article here.)

So, if you've ever dreamed of running away with a circus, it is a Workamping option. One circus advertises each year in Workamper News. An RV couple we know traveled with an east coast circus as tutors for the children.

There are all kinds of possibilities when you are an RV worker on the road. Check them out. One might appeal! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

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

Fewer RV sales = more service?

With fuel prices up and the economy down, RV sales have fallen off. This could increase the demand for RV technicians as RV owners keep older RVs on the road through repairs rather than replacing them with a new rig.

Several training programs are offered. If you are working for a dealer that subscribes to the RVDA (Recreational Vehicle Dealer Association) Distance Learning program, you could possibly take courses online through that dealer. The RVSA (Recreational Vehicle Service Academy) offers hands-on learning at their location in Florida leading to certification as an RV technician certification. And, Camping World University offers training on all aspects of RV technician work. A Google search will also come back with some junior colleges and other locations offering programs.

Snowbird locations are good areas to find work during the winter months. Go north in the summer to find dealerships that have more business then. A good RV tech can find work most anywhere or even do freelance work. If you have mechanical ability, this can be a lucrative field to get into. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

New RV industry employment site

It may not be the best time to start an employment site for the RV and boating industry with all the plant closings, but if you are an RV tech or work in sales, detailing or jobs in the recreational vehicle industry, keep an eye on Rec-jobs.com. It was launched on July 31, 2008.

There is no cost to the job seeker. Employers do pay to advertise or search the data base. Another tool for workers on the RV road. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Chasing your passion rather than the money

In a column by Denis Waitley in the Job Giant, he writes about attending his daughter's college graduation. The main speaker was Edward James Olmos, the actor-activist who played Jaime Escalante in the inspiring movie about inner-city students called Stand and Deliver.

His message, "Please never, ever work for money. Please don't just get a job... a career is something you do because you're inspired to do it....You'd do it because it's your life."

Many of us did not feel like we had this option in our previous lives. However now that we are working on the RV road, we can take jobs doing things that make our hearts sing, things we've always wanted to do. Or, our job may provide the chance to be able to do something outside of work we've always dreamed of doing.

Betty Prange writes this month in RV Life about "Fulfilling Fantasies."(Her article is on pages 8 & 9. Use the Pages/thumbnails to find it). This summer she is driving a 1936-38 era White Motor Company open touring bus in Yellowstone National Park. Last summer she drove a red version in Glacier National Park (see photo). She thoroughly enjoys her jobs helping tourists have a wonderful visit and working in a beautiful, interesting place.

With Workamping, you can work in Yellowstone one summer, at a dude ranch another or up in Alaska. You can be part of the magic at Disneyland or have time for contemplation at a wilderness fire tower. What's your passion? What things have you always wanted to try? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on all sorts of job possibilities, see 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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DVD: Working On The RV Road
Do you dream of traveling full-time or much of the time with your RV? Would you like to work as you travel for extra spending money? Whatever the case, in this 75-minute DVD hosted by work camping expert Jaimie Hall you will learn everything you need to know about what type of jobs are available, what they pay, and how to land a position. Learn more or order.

What's a Jobinar?

Technology is amazing! Now you can attend a job fair online.

WorkamperPlus subscribers of Workamper News now can participate in Jobinars at no extra cost. What's a Jobinar? As an attendee, you see the employer's presentation on your computer and hear the dialog on your phone. Just like the group interviews at job fairs, the employer tells you about their company and the positions they have available. You have the opportunity to ask questions, either by typing in your question online, or "raising your hand." When you are called on, everyone hears your question. Since a large group is participating, someone may very well ask a question that you don't have on your list.

Get the most out of a Jobinar by preparing in advance. Research the company. Search and post on forums to find out what other Workamper feedback is. Prepare a list of questions. Have your questions in front of you so you can take notes and mark them off as they are answered.

I attended my first Jobinar a week ago. I was impressed. Workamper has two more scheduled for August plus others on the schedule. Subscribers are now getting even more for their money. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on interviewing and negotiating with employers, see 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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Support Your RV Lifestyle
This is an excellent resource of how to travel by RV and earn an income as you go. If you work as you travel or want to, this book will be very helpful. Learn more.

Disasters create opportunities

The floods in Iowa have brought workers to help with rebuilding. Many are staying in campgrounds, leaving fewer sites for vacationers. For RV workers with construction skills, disasters often bring opportunities for short-term work. This article reports that many will stay six weeks to two months then leave. Some are there to earn money, others to help and others for the adventure.

Rebuilding is needed after a disaster and it does provide opportunities for those with skills to find work. Plus, you can get the satisfaction of knowing you are helping those in need. RVers bring their own housing, so relocating to a disaster site is much more feasible than for the average person. 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.

Get away for the day

Getting away from your job site on your days off, particularly if you are working at an RV park or camphosting, can accomplish several things:

• Give you a sense of renewal. A change of scenery and change of pace makes you feel better.
• Reduce stress by getting away from the situation for a short time.
• Set limits. If you are being taken advantage of and being asked to work on your time off or campers knock on your door on days off, getting away prevents that.
• Spend time on yourself. Most workers on the RV road want to explore the area so getting away allows you to meet this goal. Of, if you have friends or family in the area, visit them.

Some employers expect you to be available at all hours. This is something you should discuss before taking the job and get expectations in writing. You may need to call the employer on this and even leave for the day if they do not respect this.

Don't be married to your job. Take time to get away. You'll feel better and do a better job. 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.