Holiday time, also money time

Out of school and getting into college or finished college and dreaming of the future – you surely seek free will and independence. This is possible only if there is money in your pockets. With holidays around, you do have time up your sleeves alright, but what about money?

If you a wish to make money, you need to take up some work. That will also help you get to know what working or business activity is all about. You may perhaps be aware that  tycoons often start as part-time or subordinate workers. The classic example is of Dhirubhai Ambani who went to become a business magnate by first selling snacks to pilgrims in his native Gujarat and subsequently as a petrol pump attendant in the middle-east. There are many others who had very modest beginnings and their lives are real rags-to-riches happenings.  

Getting a holiday job is not a cakewalk. It is all contingent on your disposition and power to portray yourself.  There would be occasions when you could well perform a job but the person at the other end doubts your capability, Some other problems that you may encounter could be inadequate time at your disposal, non-availability of a job in consonance with your preference, the employer thinking that you are too young for work or a means of conveyance not available with you for moving around. Some distinct and apparent jobs for youngsters that can be taken up during holidays are:

·   Service Staff at Eating Joints:  The expertise to work in any eatery calls for both theoretical and practical knowledge. If you intend taking up hotel management as a career, working in a restaurant is a good choice. You can opt for as many positions as possible and should not be reluctant to ask questions about staffing, inventory management, menu making and cash flow. Hotels are distinct from restaurants and restaurants from fast-food joints. All of them pay differently and hold out varying charms for different people. Before taking a decision, you should weigh the pros and cons of each.

·   Attendants at Petrol Pumps:  You should reflect on the prospects of working at a petrol pump as an attendant.  The responsibilities include filling tanks and collecting money from the customers. The attributes called for are awareness, vigilance and good accounting. You may be required to wear a uniform while on duty and deal with different types of customers. Therefore, you should invariably display patience, a sense of service and of course an affable attitude.

·   Assistants at Offices & Establishments:  Come holiday season and employees want leave. But work has to go on and hence temporary vacancies stand created. You can work in stores, at the reception, in the accounts section, as a clerk or secretary, etc. More often than not, you will have fixed timings of work, but organizations working day and night may rotate you in day and night shifts.

·   Baby-Sitters:   It has always been regarded as the perfect and ultimate method for any youngster to earn some money. But you should have a penchant for the job. Any family that has children needs baby-sitters, but finding dependable ones is indeed a difficult task. You could render in-home baby-sitting service, but before you actually do so, make certain that you are well-familiar with first aid procedures to cope with any adverse contingency.  You may also consider forming a group from amongst your friends so that opportunities do not slide away.

·   Lawn Caretakers:   Well off people invariably seek well-manicured lawns and well-trimmed hedges outside their homes. If you have an inclination for gardening, this job is cut out for you. No doubt, it involves some amount of physical exertion and a sort of readiness to shed a notion that it is a menial task. In case, you have like-minded friends who are willing to team up, you can definitely make enough money. You should be prepared to soak yourself in such work that is otherwise outside the capability of an average person..

·   Housekeeping:   There are families whose every member is working. With domestic helps becoming an increasingly difficult task by itself, they do not mind employing responsible and dependable youngsters to do jobs like tidying up their homes. That is what housekeeping is all about and if you have a proclivity for it, you are bound to find acceptability amongst the more prosperous lot. Do not umph at this idea, because in your own home, you do up your bed, clean up your shelves and arrange your wardrobe, etc.  Remember that the difference between try and triumph is a little umph.

·   Pet Care:   You do not have to be a veterinary surgeon to take to pet care. But you do need to love and appreciate animals, if you want to explore such an assignment. Every person who has a pet desires that the best possible care be there for it. You could help pet owners by taking them out for walks or taking care of them if they go out of station. 

·   Errand Running:  This may appear to be an inconsequential job. Mostly, such employment is offered by people who have busy schedules and hectic lifestyles. Such people do not have time to stand in queues to pay their electricity bills, water-tax, property tax or any other bills. Though they may be employing household staff, but are unable to relieve them to do outside jobs. If you have drive and enthusiasm, you can be of great help to them.

·   Car Detailing:  People who own cars want them clean and sparkling. They would be much happy if instead of going to a service station for the purpose, their cars could be cleaned at home instead. You could do it for them. All that the work entails is washing and polishing it. If necessary, you could also use a vacuum cleaner to dust-free the interiors. Car detailing is not a difficult task; however what it calls for is willingness to shed any white collar attitude that you may have.  

·   Teaching Others:   Depending on your acumen and proficiency, you could utilize your knowledge and skills to teach others. You could offer private tuitions to school kids in your neighbourhood or educate the elderly on the use of computers. Once you have a person to teach, thereafter it is all word-of-mouth publicity that will get you more. And the best part of the matter is that it is quite possible to undertake this venture from the precincts of your own home.

            The moment you are able to decide on what you want to do, the issue of how much you need to get or charge will come to your mind. Therefore, it is essential that you do your homework well; and this best possible through a survey – essentially getting to know how much professionals charge. If you settle for something less, rest assured that you will have eventful holidays. Remember that whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.