Ten Unusual Skilled Jobs
While the recession is not easy on anyone, there are many people who cannot find replacement jobs after being laid off. Unemployment benefits are often not enough to make a living and they end after a period of time. Someone might wonder if they can find a job that would utilize their experience and knowledge either from a previous job or even from a hobby. In fact, there are many well paying jobs that require skilled workers. Here are ten jobs from different business sectors that actually showed growth during the last year.
Virtual Assistant (Average earnings: $40 per hour)
A virtual assistant offers professional administrative, technical and creative assistance to businesses, entrepreneurs, writers and other individuals who are willing to pay for such services. Virtual assistants usually work from their home office, but can offer their services internationally. They communicate and deliver their work through the internet, e-mail, phone conferences, online work spaces, and fax machine. It is a contract based job and requires a solid customer base. To get started, you can enlist in theVirtual Office Tempswhere you can find projects suitable to your skills. A highly skilled virtual assistant can earn between $25 to $60 per hour. Many skills can be acquired while working in an administrative office as an executive assistant, office manager, secretary, legal secretary/assistant, or paralegal. Virtual assistants have their ownInternational Virtual Assistant Associationthat provides support and training to its members.
Writer (Average yearly earnings: $48,000)
Today, there is more demand for writers than ever before. You don't have to have an English degree, just be diligent about spelling and grammar. Writers can create content for books, magazines, newspapers, trade journals, advertisements, online publications, and even movies, TV and radio shows. Oftentimes, they work as "ghost writers," where they create material for someone else. There are many web sites where you can get started in your writing adventure:Helium.com,AssociatedContent.com,BrightHub.com, orElance.com.
Private Investigator (Average earnings: $35,000)
Investigators can work in several different areas: insurance, by providing information that is crucial in processing insurance claims, law enforcement, by conducting surveillance (sometimes in a surveillance vehicle), background and activity checks, or courthouse research. You can become a fire, field, SIU (Special Investigation Unit), or surveillance investigator. However, most jurisdictions require private investigators to be licensed, especially if the job requires you to carry a gun. People who become private investigators come from various career fields, like retired police and military officers, government agents, accountants, insurance agents, and many others. For job opportunities you can go tocareerbuilder.com.
Ship Captain (Average earnings: $53,000)
A ship captain's main responsibilities include: safe and efficient operations, navigation, supervision of the ship crew and compliance of the vessel with local and international laws, as well as company and flag state policies. To become a ship captain, you need to have a special Master Mariner's license. There are different types of licenses depending on the vessel size and geographic area of operations. An unlimited license permits operations worldwide. All licenses are issued by the state authorities where the ship comes from (the flag state). To acquire the license you need to have enough experience and some education. One of the largest and most reputable marine schools in the US is theUS Merchant Marine Academy. For job opportunities go toIndeed.com.
Fish and Game Warden (Average earnings: $48,000)
A fish and game warden is a government employee that helps to protect and conserve fish and wildlife. A warden has the authority to warn, cite, and/or arrest individuals violating law and may seize the fish, game, and any equipment that is connected with the violation. Other responsibilities might include: investigating wildlife crop damage, inspecting commercial fishing operations, issuing deer hunting licenses, conducting hunter safety trainings, and assisting in controlled hunting events. To check out job opportunities go to your state's Fish and Wildlife Department.
Web Designer (Average earnings: $53,000)
A web designer creates and designs content for web pages. It is a job suitable for someone creative with computer and design skills. You can either work from home or have a regular 9 to 5 job. Statistics show that a web designer with less than one year of experience can make about $34,000 a year. More experienced designers (5 to 10 years) usually earn more than $50,000 per year. To learn more about web design and jobs available go toYouthedesigner.com.
Game Tester (Average earnings: $38,000)
If you love playing video games and are good at it you may consider getting paid for it. A game tester plays video games all day checking them for any bugs and problems in the software. The gaming industry is growing fast and jobs are plentiful. An entry lever tester can make $25,000 a year while an experienced tester makes well over $66,000. To learn more about game testing, how to become a tester, and to search for jobs go toGameTester.com
Foley Artist (Average earnings: $55,000)
Foley artists are indispensable in film making. They are, in fact, sound technicians who create different audio effects by using whatever items they can find that make a particular sound. For example, thumping watermelons can give a sound of someone being punched, or squeezing a box of corn starch may sound like footsteps in snow. The job requires lots of creativity and good hearing to be able to recognize and recreate sounds. The best way to become a Foley artist is to find an experienced artist to apprentice with. You can learn more on Foley artistry atFilmSound.org.
Voice Actor (Average earnings: $47,000)
Not all actors perform on stage or in front of the camera. Many successful actors and actresses work in recording studios instead. They lend their voices to movies and cartoon characters. They are also needed in TV shows, commercials, and in recording audio books. To qualify for the job it isn't enough to have a unique voice. You have to gain some experience in acting as well. Try working in school's performing arts productions, community theaters, or become a disk jockey at a local radio station. Many recording studios offer courses in vocal techniques, or script interpretation and may even help you finding employment. To get some more information go toVoices.com.
Food Critic (Average earnings: $58,000)
One of the most important skills required to be a great food critic is the ability to communicate well. No matter how wide and adventurous your palate is, without good writing skills you won't excel in this job. Another experience that may be helpful is your familiarity with the restaurant business and with cooking itself. You don't have to own a restaurant, but if you've held several different jobs, from a food preparer to a restaurant manager, you know how this type of business operates and have a better judgment on how food (and drinks) should be prepared than someone who does not have such an experience. Also, attending cooking classes, wine and food festivals, studying culinary herbs and seasonings, and even learning foreign languages can expand your culinary knowledge. As a side note, being paid to eat may sound appealing, but it is not a job for a "picky eater" or someone with food allergies. To start check out the food critic community atFoodCritics.com.
Other jobs that maybe you didn't think about, but look promising in today's economy and in which you could use your skills and talents are: chef (Average earnings: $44,000), security and fire alarm systems installer (Average earnings: $35,000), locksmith and safe repairer (Average earnings: $32,000), or tour and travel guide (Average earnings: $23,000).
