CareerBuilder.com
"Earn thousands of dollars per week working part-time! No experience necessary!" the job posting title blares.
Skeptical? You should be. Think about it: Why would any legitimate employer offer inexperienced employees a six-figure salary for working just a few hours a week? These offers come with a serious catch -- usually in the form of illegal activity or an initial investment that's never recouped.
That said, there are plenty of perfectly legitimate jobs out there that require little -- if any -- experience or post-secondary education. And they're not all in retail stores and restaurants.
The following are 10 not-so-obvious jobs that require minimal education, training and experience, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data:
1. Traffic technician
The job: Conducting field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, signal effectiveness, adequacy of lighting and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under the direction of a traffic engineer.
The requirements: High school diploma.
Average pay: $41,810
2. Human resources assistant
The job: Maintaining and updating human resources records.
The requirements: High school diploma or GED and computer proficiency.
Average pay: $29,370
3. Bill and account collector
The job: Keeping track of overdue accounts, tracking down the debtors and collecting payments.
The requirements: High school diploma and customer service experience.
Average pay: $28,963
4. Refuse and recyclable materials collector
The job: Gathering trash and recyclable materials into their trucks and hauling them to landfills and recycling centers.
The requirements: At least 18 years old and able to pass a physical exam.
Average pay: $32,790
5. Library technician
The job: Directing patrons to standard references, handling interlibrary loans, checking out books and other routine library tasks.
The requirements: A certificate or associate degree is preferred, but smaller libraries may hire individuals with only a high school diploma.
Average pay: $31,110
6. Light delivery truck driver
The job: Driving trucks or vans weighing less than 26,000 pounds to deliver merchandise and packages within a certain region.
The requirements: At least 18 years old with a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Average pay: $28,154
7. Occupational therapist aide
The job: Preparing materials and equipment used in the rehabilitation of people with mental, physical, emotional or developmental disabilities.
The requirements: High school diploma and good interpersonal skills.
Average pay: $26,715
8. Interviewer (except eligibility and loan)
The job: Asking prepared questions to obtain preliminary information from customers in doctor's offices, market research firms and government agencies.
The requirements: High school diploma, computer proficiency and good interpersonal skills.
Average pay: $29,040
9. Nursing aide or orderly
The job: Performing routine tasks like answering patients' call lights, making beds and serving meals under the supervision of the nursing staff.
The requirements: High school diploma or GED.
Average pay: $21,517
10. Funeral assistant
The job: Placing the casket in a funeral parlor, arranging flowers, showing mourners to their seats, closing caskets and other duties during a funeral.
The requirements: High school diploma and good interpersonal skills.
Average pay: $21,575
Next: 10 High-Paying Jobs -- No Degree Required >>
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by IndustrySalaries are according to CBSalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.
Copyright 2009 CareerBuilder.com.
Jun 23rd 2009 @ 8:45PM Jon
While the economy struggles and millions of Americans lose their jobs, the Home Business Industry is thriving. I joined a company called LGN (highly reputable ... look it up) that is making me thousands in a down economy. Check it out ... http://www.EasyHomeEarning.com
Reply
Aug 14th 2009 @ 3:43PM Bob
Don't you love the way all the responses below manage to be advertisements for just what the article above warned us about.
Aug 13th 2009 @ 10:48PM Ann
Looked it up. Seems to be a scam like all the others.
Jun 24th 2009 @ 3:45AM HomeBizGuy
The rules have changed. If you're looking for a great job, with a great company, with great benefits, that you will have your entire life, until you retire, stop looking. That was then this is now. That job doesn't exist anymore for 99% of us. Unless you have unique and remarkable skills you better figure out what will work best for you and your family. I am a former executive who left the corporate world to help people adjust to the new realities. My suggestion to most is to do what millions of people are doing now, find a good home business. That won't work for everyone but if you find one that you can get into for virtually no investment and learn the right skills, you should do well.
There are two opportunities that my clients have had the most success with. One is an amazing opportunity to profit from Ebay and there are well over 720,000 people making a full time living with them. http://cli.gs/HomeBizSuccessSystem That's a huge company to work with. The other great opportunity is working with a company that we all know, Google, http://cli.gs/GoogleCashSystem
So many of my clients tell me that they are loving working for themselves, making more money than before, in less time, and enjoy the extra time they have to spend with their families.
Reply
Aug 14th 2009 @ 1:44AM Malcolm Yarde
How can a home based system work for someone who now lives in the caribbean?
Aug 14th 2009 @ 11:13AM Anthony
There are so many scams out there. Is there something you can say to address and support your point of view re home businesses?
Aug 17th 2009 @ 11:16PM marie st. jn. Privett
I am working 90 hrs a week and all I am making is 8.7 $ per hr. I am educated, smart and got caught into this trap because I care. I need a car and money or I just can not stand it anymore...
Jun 24th 2009 @ 9:51AM Sal
As I learned from Robert Allen the best opportunities in the new reality are the ones you create for yourself. I don't live my life worrying about what my bosses might do or how strong the business that I'm working for is.
I was a manager of a Circuit City store. I was making over $70K a year but they let me go right after Christmas. In retrospect they did me a favor. I got a couple of months severance pay and used the time I had to find something new and different. I had read many books by Robert Allen and decided to check out a program that he had available. It was a way to develop multiple streams of income, http://tr.im/RobertAllenIncomeStreams . I have to say that he knows his stuff and has excellent ideas and training. I am now making a little more money than I was before and see that my businesses should continue to grow. Best of all, I'm working less 20 hours a week, when I was putting in close to 60 before. I'm able to play ball, have a hobby, and best of all, spend so much more time with my children.
Reply
Jun 24th 2009 @ 7:52PM Lou
I know working from home doesn't require experience. You can do what you love and make money from it. I like to blog and use Google Adsense to make extra money free online and also give my opinion on products and get paid. This is free and can make a good income doing this. But you won't get rich quick but it is a great part time job.
Lou @ http://EarningFreeMoney.com
Reply
Jun 24th 2009 @ 7:55PM Lou
A legitimate way to make money without experience is working from home online. I like making money from Google for free and also give my opinion on products. This is a great way to make extra income each month and doesn't take work. I listed legitimate programs you can make money from on my website at http://EarningFreeMoney.com and I also post my proof of payments. I also offer free help to people with questions.
Reply
Jun 25th 2009 @ 9:09PM Cornel
WHATTT "RECESSION"????
There is a "Famous" Quote that goes something like this, "The Major
Key To Your Better "Financial" Future Is YOU!"
If you are Open-Minded, a BIG Thinker and ready to get your "own"
(MBA)Massive-Bank-Account, CHECK THIS OUT!!!
What Do You Have To LOSE?>http://www.casshnurface.com
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 8:42PM mike
soup lines are hiring, its obamanomics....
HOWS THAT HOPE AND CHANGE TREATING YOU?
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 8:46PM lenny
I'm cracking up. You write an article on these obvious get rich quick schemes and how they dont pan out and give us some good jobs that really do pay,and what do you get a tone of Get rich quick offers after the article!!!!! I dont get it.
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 8:50PM thunda
I've have been in customer service for over 15 years , i finshed 12 years of school , never got my diploma or GED. Also attended city college .What is the BIG DEAL about diplomas /GED .
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 8:51PM chris
president is another
Reply
Aug 14th 2009 @ 9:21AM Susan
If you really think that working as a library tech requires little experience then you don't know what your talking about. I have tried getting on at a library for over 2 years now and nothing has come of it. And I have experience working in a library. So you really need to think more about what jobs say that you don't need little or no experience
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 11:19PM Diane
Susan - You are so right! I commented, too. It's not easy to get a job at a library, never mind full time.
Aug 13th 2009 @ 9:01PM ray68a
You CAN make money from home, part or full-time with a company that has been in business for over 140 years. All you need is a computer, phone and belief in yourself. Go to www.tsginfo.com and enter code AX4449.
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 9:25PM George Jetton
I have a great business opportunity for anyone interested in owning their own business gitting customers to use synthetic oil, go green all the way with AMSOIL. $30.00 to start for 6 month for a try. your income is strictly commission, you work you get paid to what ever income you want. recession proof.
WWW.thefirstsyntheticoil.com
Reply
Aug 13th 2009 @ 9:31PM George Jetton
recession proof business from home. WWW.thefirstsyntheticoil.com The money depends on you.
Reply