Survival Jobs 154 Ways To Make Money While Pursuing Your Dreams
Survival Jobs 154 Ways To Make Money While Pursuing Your Dreams
In the first-ever guide to finding a satisfying job that will keep food on the table while you focus on your perhaps less lucrative dreams, Deborah Jacobson presents a detailed survey of employment possibilities that keep stressful money worries away and allow plenty of time for pursuing one’s true calling in life.
Survival Jobs proves that you don’t have to wait tables while looking for your big break. With frank and funny advice from an author who has traveled the survival-job road, Jacobson introduces opportunities both on and off the beaten track that suit a wide variety of schedules, skills, and personalities. Survival Jobs includes:
- “Jobs for the CEO in You” (apartment manager, massage therapist, and other “be-your-own-boss” suggestions)
- “That’s Entertainment” (from working as a personal assistant to performing at theme parks)
- “Nine to Five…Not” (clock in at the crack of dawn or the midnight hour as a limousine driver, a video-store clerk, or an airport employee)
- “You Gotta Have Heart” (jobs that satisfy the spirit and pay the bills: pet care, social work, children’s entertainment)
For each job, she describes:
- Duties and responsibilities, the pros and cons
- Likely salary, necessary skills, and educational background
- Ideas for getting started
- Sources for contacts, including names and phone numbers in major cities
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star It’s like The Office, only in text form
I began reading this book as an actor hoping to find some alternatives to waiting tables. I didn’t make it very far when the book lost most of it’s credibility. The title of this thread references “the office” thanks to an episode where Michael, not knowing about pyramid schemes, introduces one to his employees. I was a bit shocked to find that the author of this book actually listed pyramid schemes or as they are called in the book and by the starters of these scams, “Multi-level marketing.”
Shortly thereafter she suggest starting a 900 number. Sadly, i’m not kidding. Then, Yardsales? Is this really a suggestion?
Then I came across my current job, waiter. Apparently I will need to talk to my boss tomorrow, as here we are 10 years later and I’m still not making minimum wage plus tips. Try 2.13. Which brings me to my next complaint or point and that is a lack of research as most of the job write ups seem to be based on a lot of hearsay.
Based on experience I can say that several jobs, like that of the “DJ” and “waiter”, are suggested and talked about in this book with most of the information being “hearsay” and flat out false. There appears to be very little research in any of the jobs suggested in this book.
I could go on and on about the flaws in this book. I can only venture that the bulk of the good reviews are friends or family of the author. That is the only way to explain it receiving anything that resembles a positive review. I only hope that Mrs Deborah Jacobson is through writing books or giving employment advice at least as this book is the equivalent of a overweight person giving out tips on dieting. Do yourself a favor and pass on this book.
5 Stars Good info. Very useful
I’ve referred back to this book several times during my life when I was between jobs. It’s very useful. It has a lot of original ideas that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Well worth the money.
5 Stars I Recommend This Book To Every LA Creative Type I Meet!
I cannot say enough good stuff about this book. Wow! It basically details amazingly innovative ideas for how to make money without having to take a 9 to 5 job in LA. This book reshaped the way I pursued income and is the best non-acting book for actors I can recommend. I currently have six freelance jobs (and have had as many as ten different ones at a time this year) and I love the flexibility, financial stability, and freedom to be creative that this lifestyle provides. Not for everyone, but if you’re tired of the “golden handcuffs” that a full time job can be in this town, this book will open doors for you, big time!
1 Star Silly little trifle
This is a silly little book. The ideas are a poorly written patchwork with little real guidance. It is the equivalent of many of the “spam” mail scams that we constantly receive offering “work at home opportunities”
I believe the writer takes advantage of people looking for solid advice. It is difficult enough for people trying to survive, be it as an actor, musician or whatever without shelling out money for such a mis-guided and simple minded product.
Apparently from what I read the author quit the entertainment industry and becam a Cantor (which was not listed as one of the 154 ways to make money), so apparently the advice in the book did not work for her!
Save your hard earned money, don’t waste your time on this book.
4 Stars Interesting and informative
It’s definitely a must read book for people who would like to build a “portfolio career”. If you are not for the 9-5 office culture and you’d rather do a more interesting and unconventional job.
This book will guide you through a series of weird, fun and unusual jobs. As the titled reveals, they will probably be only for survival, so forget the big bucks if you want to work as a personal shopper, a focus group participant or a food demonstrator.
A good and well written reference book. Keep in mind that it would be easier to get those jobs if you live in a big city.
By Thei Zervaki, a career and business coach