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How to Make Money While on Vacation

Many of us were fortunate enough to have the unforgettable experience studying abroad in college. It was ideal: you had a few hours of class a week, then spent the rest of your time sightseeing and soaking up the culture of another country all for roughly the same cost of your tuition (minus the flights and the insurance and the numerous souvenirs…). But after college, travel opportunities become increasingly scarce. Without the academic bubble to protect us, we have to fit all of our travel into the two weeks allotted by our companies. How's one supposed to travel the world? The good news is, it's not so hard to get a job abroad. Whether you're dying to get back to the architecture of Eastern Europe or the lush landscapes of Australia, there are always ways to become an expatriate and knock off two toucans with one stone. Here are some tips to help you get there.

1. Save a Sack o' Cash

Before you embark on your journey, don't do like many friends of ours have done and flee the country with a one way ticket and one suitcase. While that seems romantic, being ill-prepared will send you home sooner than you expect. The first way to be prepared is to create a travel fund. This will ensure that even if your job abroad brings in less income than you're used to, you can have a buffer to even out expenses. According to Jetsetter, there are dozens of great apps to help you save money and bolster your fund.

2. Parlez-Vous Français?

Now, this one is common sense. While being in a country where you can't speak the language feels awfully adventuresome, it's not practical. You'll look silly putting your translation app in everyone's faces, and most foreigners appreciate at least an attempt at speaking their language. If you're planning on going to France, don't just dig up your old high school French textbook. Listen to French podcasts, read French newspapers and books, and get acquainted with modern French life.

3. Find The Job Before You Get There

There are a lot of ways to go about your overseas job search. One, is by attending overseas job fairs. The great thing about them is that they're totally virtual and free. You create a profile and the recruiters seek you out. You can also search specific jobs by location and sector. Use your current networking platforms like LinkedIn to tailor your profile to overseas jobs. Follow overseas companies and attend alumni events. There are even sites like Seek for Australia and Gumtree where you can search for jobs abroad on your own.

4. Consider Teaching ESL

English is becoming a universal language, with the help of Americans who teach English as a second language. All you have to do is get a certification, which varies by state, and then find a program that can send you abroad. At GoOverseas, you can search by country, length of contract, and job category, plus get all of your questions about teaching abroad answered. Alternatively, check out the local embassy of the country in which you want to work. They often have teaching assistantship programs or Fulbright fellowships for which you can apply directly through the website.

5. Consider Nannying

We know it's not the most glamorous option, but think about it. You have free room and board, sometimes food, and may even be invited on vacation with the family for which you work! Only do this option though if you like to care for kids and have related experience. The cool thing about this is you can do it for just a summer, or a few weeks. Here is a comprehensive resource for au pair jobs abroad.

6. Don't Go Into it Blindly

The most important part about making the decision to work abroad is to commit to it. If you're willing to quit your job and leave your home for an indeterminate amount of time, you better be serious about it. Make sure you have the appropriate work visa so you don't get sent home. Know which countries are safe and which you should avoid. Also, be sure to not get arrested. Familiarize yourself with the laws of Americans working abroad, which can be found here. A little extra research never hurt anyone.

Going abroad is a wonderful opportunity, especially if it's more than just a vacation.

For more on how to start your journey overseas, click here.

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3 Steps to Navigating the Path to Your Dream Job

Planning for the future often includes a career to be excited about. With the day to day grind many people learn to live with, dreams for a more fulfilling job often remain just that – dreams.

Fear, doubt, financial worries, and other commitments make following that dream more of a nightmare. But it's really not that scary. With the right tools to navigate the path to a job that you've only dreamed of, a bright tomorrow awaits just like the one that follows even the worst nightmare.

Three steps to a job that is right up your alley can be yours if you really want it. It's time to wake up and make your dream job a reality.

Start Now

If you have a dream job, it's time to take your life by the reins and make it come true as soon as you can. That means making the move starting now. Yes, now. Not after you've put in another year at your current company. Not after you've landed your Master's. Not next Monday. The longer you prolong the kickoff to the new you, the more reasons you'll come up with that you're not quite ready.

But starting now doesn't mean "poof," you'll have a new job. Starting now means putting forth a genuine effort to make it eventually happen. This can mean updating your resume, giving yourself a timeline, creating a blog or website, or even getting a new wardrobe that better suits (no pun intended) your new endeavor.

Take courses or seminars that will improve your education and offer to intern or be mentored in the field. Learn all you can about this job and create a path to direct you there. Even if you only have an hour a day to put towards this goal, it's better than doing nothing at all. It may take time, but the sooner you get going, the sooner you'll get there.

As per Monster, "Don't be deterred by a lack of experience. Twenty- and thirty-somethings have more flexibility when it comes to test-driving different careers. The process of self-discovery is much easier when you're unencumbered by family responsibilities and substantial financial burdens, and when you haven't yet reached a level in a career where it's tougher to turn back. That said, it's never too late to pursue your passion."

Have a Clear Objective

In order to land your dream job, you need to know what it is. If you aren't able to pinpoint your goal, you may not ever be able to score. For instance, if you're currently working in finance but dream to do something more creative, that's a good start, but there are many jobs that require creative skills – a baker, a jazz musician, a digital artist, even a dog groomer. Where do you fit in?

According to Fortune, "Before you network, and certainly before you step into an interview, know your goals and what you're dreaming to do. That sounds like a no-brainer, but our experts say the No. 1 mistake job seekers make is not being able to articulate what kind of job they want."

Asses your talents and interests carefully and honestly. If your dream job is to become a marriage counselor, are you willing and able to put in the years of work required? Do you have a well-suited personality and proper schooling necessary for this career? As per The Muse, "Once you figure out what you want, it's time to string that together with your skills and past experience in a way that makes sense for your next position. Knowing your story well enough to tell it forward and backward won't just help you in the interview, it'll help you with your application materials and networking efforts."

Monster adds, "Take time to do a self-assessment of your values, how you like to work and what you'd be compelled to do even if you never got paid. Research careers and industries that map to your skills and interests."

Once you've honed in on a career that fits your requirements, you'll be better able to take the appropriate steps to make it there. A clear objective will yield a clear mind - one that will be able to focus on the prize – your dream job.

Network

As per Business News Daily, "Realizing what you want is a major step, but you should keep the momentum going by reaching out to the right people who can help you, said Courtney Kirschbaum, a career and life coach and founder of online training company Original Experience."

People who are excited about their jobs are eager to share their passion and knowledge with like-minded and enthusiastic people. Talk to as many people you can in the field. There is so much to learn and every person has something unique to bring to the table. And get out there and actually meet people – in person – whenever possible. Robert Walters Career Advice advises, "As much as social media and the ease of email make it tempting to network from home in your sweats, nothing replaces the connection of a good old fashioned face-to-face. Find out about industry events, Meetups and social opportunities to mingle with those who already run in the professional crowds you're trying to break into."

While you may not be quite ready to get to work yet, these connections will be of great value once you're prepared to apply for jobs in the field. Always stay in contact with the people who've impressed you the most and be willing to go the extra mile to show them you're a hard and dedicated worker. Stand out and you'll be memorable and taken seriously. Those who've already realized their dream can be your stepping stone to reaching yours.

Work can be purposeful and exhilarating. It's time to make your dreams come true.

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Everybody Gets Fired

It's that unscheduled meeting with your manager and ends in a few moments of pained silence. After that, you're out of there. Maybe you knew it was coming all along, maybe you thought it was weird that you hadn't had a project in weeks. Or maybe not. Most people (and for very good reasons) identify ...

Everybody Gets Fired

It's that unscheduled meeting with your manager and ends in a few moments of pained silence. After that, you're out of there. Maybe you knew it was coming all along, maybe you thought it was weird that you hadn't had a project in weeks. Or maybe not. Most people (and for very good reasons) identify with their employment and losing it often feels like losing part of who they are. It's not uncommon to feel weird and alone, with reservations about how you spent the past months, or even years, of your life. Kate Wendleton, president of a national career coaching organization, warns: "The first challenge following a layoff is to conquer your emotions."

Don't think about it

It probably makes, really, very little sense. I was once fired for being too chatty on the job. The next week, they fired my now-former coworker who had never talked once. You can think yourself to death about why it was you, instead of the guy one desk over who got the talk, but that's because "People lose their minds," says Liz Ryan, author of Reinvention Roadmap: Break the Rules to Get the Job You Want and Career You Deserve. You've got to keep yours.

Stay Classy

Over at Forbes, Susan Adams, talks about how impressed she was by an email that a former employee mass-sent that was "striking in its tone of grace and confidence" and "offered heartfelt praise for the whole staff." So do that. For anyone not directly involved with your termination (which is probably one or two people at most), you can control the narrative of your departure and keep the doors open between you and any of your coworkers.

It's also tempting—especially if you know exactly why you were fired and who's really to blame—to let loose on social media, now that you can tell the truth. But alerting your vast group of friends and not-quite friends that something is wrong about the whole way a business is run doesn't translate very well either. In fact, Wendleton, recommends not to "talk to anyone outside your inner circle," until you've let your emotions settle. But don't let that stop you from:

Getting (back) on that Linkedin

Krista Canfield, a former Linkedin PR manager, recommends updating the current tab and professional headline tabs of your profile immediately in order to tell prospective employers what kind of position you see yourself in. Maybe you want to give a stab at PR after years of editorial.

Haven't been on the job market in the past two years? Then your Linkedin presence might be a tad underdeveloped or you might think your profession or goals aren't something that needs a linkedin. Well, they do: check out the good Deborah Jacobs for some excellent tips on how to craft one, fresh on the marketplace and contemplating a new direction. "Label yourself as what you would like to be," she advises, don't feel "limited by what your last job title was."

Also? Aim for punchy language. "Use active verbs, amply convey your responsibilities, and show results."

But Get On It!

One big temptation, if you can afford it, is to use the occasion to take the small (and undoubtedly well-deserved) break from the grind. Sandy Johnson, a former vice president at NEXCareer Inc. who now runs her own career and outplacement firm, is adamant: "Putting your toes in the sand could feel pretty good, but may be equivalent to sticking your head into it."

If you had worked at your old job for a while, make sure that you made every push you can for best severance package available to you. Make sure that you get everything that's due. And, more importantly, make sure you don't lose focus on the job market. Set a goal of applying for a certain number of jobs everyday and stick to it. Your better job will thank you.

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