The recession of 2008 has finally ended but it is still a tough economy to survive. The commerce department reported that incomes were flat for the month of September so in fact as a nation, we all made less this month than the previous month when you throw in inflation. Dating back to last year, income has risen about 2%.
To boost your salary during tough economic times is going to take outside the box thinking. That is where competitive advantage sets in. Simply put, competitive advantage is the ability to do something easier than someone else. So a 7 feet person has a competitive advantage over someone that is 5 feet when it comes to dunking a basketball hoop. To boost your salary, I encourage you to think about any competitive advantage that you might have (Legal Of course) to boost your salary.
We have all heard of someone that has a side job. These days side jobs are becoming the norm and increasing in popularity. In Taiwan , over 60% of workers do side jobs and 82% of those without are looking. Not just any side job is going to work. Successful businesses all have a competitive advantage so your side job must recognize its competitive advantage.
Consider two teenagers trying to start a lawn mowing business. If one of the teenager’s parents worked in a bank and the other teenager’s parent had a home business that sold household items. Which would have a competitive advantage? It is the teen with the parent that has the home business. Why? The teen could advertise their lawn service as a complimentary service with their parent’s business or the parent could lend their expertise and teach the teen how to sell to households. This puts the teen at an advantage over the one that has a parent that works in the bank. Look around you, there are advantages everywhere. Put them to work and incorporate it with a side job to help to boost salary.
There is no limit on the types of side jobs that you can do. You could help with tax preparation, fix computers, do hair, mentor, clean gutters etc
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