By Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer

NEW YORK -- With job openings few and far between, skilled professionals are trading their business suits for aprons - with mixed success.

Ramy Sukarieh, 32, worked in Credit Suisse's multi-asset class solution group in New York until he was laid off in October. He has tried to find a part-time position waiting tables, but he's been turned away from many restaurants and coffee shops in his upscale Brooklyn neighborhood, he said.

By Siri Anderson

So, you're looking for a job. You're not alone, and right now it's safe to bet that it'll take a little longer than usual before you score the position you want. What can you do in the meantime to earn a little side cash, pay the bills and maybe have a little fun to boot?

Before you start a part-time job, make sure that you know what you're looking for in terms of permanent work so that smaller ventures don't create a conflict. Balance is the key, and whichever temporary gig you choose should fit into your larger plan.

By Career.Builder.com

Asking job candidates to submit to credit checks is gaining popularity among employers, according to a recent survey by the Society for Human Resource Management. Thirty-five percent of employers used credit checks as part of the pre-employment screening process in 2004, up from 19 percent in 1996.

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

If I had to guess, I would bet that at least once in years past, come January 1, you've resolved to lose weight, be more organized, spend less and save more, find a better job, or simply be a better person.

Yes, people love to make New Year resolutions. Perhaps more than that, people love to break them.

"People often give up on their resolutions after the first setback. They get frustrated that they messed up," says Karyn Beach, success coach and founder of www.losetheexcuses.com. "What most people don't realize is that messing up is part of the process. Things happen. The key is to stop beating yourself up about it and get back on track as soon as possible."