Unemployment Rescue: Five Part-Time Jobs You Can Get Now

Feb. 10, 2009 — -- Looking for part-time work while you search for a fulltime job? Need to supplement your shrinking paycheck? Even though there are fewer openings than just a year ago, part-time positions exist across the country. Here's a sampling:

1) Teach the Class

College test prep course enrollments are up and both Kaplan Test Prep and Princeton Review say they'll hire a combined 5,000 part-time instructors this year. Applicants must score well on the test they'd be teaching—and must demonstrate the ability to engage students. Both employers require applicants to go through an audition where they have just a few minutes to capture an audience's attention on a non-academic topic like how to make a milkshake or how to survive a vampire attack. Compensation varies depending on experience and qualifications, the course being taught, the location, and it starts at about $20 an hour.

2) Staff the Stadium

The company is gearing up right now to hire 500 workers for the world's largest indoor rodeo, which kicks off next month in Houston. Workers handle food services, concession operations and housekeeping—helping to transform a nightly sawdust pit to a high-end entertainment complex for this annual extravaganza.

Aramark will also hire about 1,000 workers to staff stadiums for Major League baseball in several cities. Pay: $7.50 and $18 an hour, depending on location, skills and experience.

3) Healthcare Facility Parking Attendant

4) Senior Companions

5) Pet Sitters

Sitters, who must be over 21, determine the number of hours worked because they have the flexibility to accept only the assignments they are available for and comfortable taking. Some sitters work only a few hours a week; others more than 160 hours a month. Also check Sitter City and Care.

Pay: Fetch pays its sitters half the amount billed to the client. For example, a private walk averages $20, doggie day care is $30 to $50 a day, a pet bath is $10 to $20—and as the service provider, you take half.

Tory Johnson is the workplace contributor on "Good Morning America" and the CEO of Women for Hire. Connect with her online at www.womenforhire.com.