If you are having difficulty finding a full-time job in today's tough job market, or if you are looking for maximum flexibility, a Portfolio Career may be the answer. A Portfolio Career is defined as a taking on two or more jobs at the same time. It could be a combination of a full-time job and a part-time or temporary position, or several part-time and/or project oriented opportunities.

If you are finding your hunt for a full-time job to be extended, you can offset the downside of waiting too long with too little income, even if the work you find is simply designed to weather the storm of an economic downturn. Many options exist for part-time, temporary and project work.

Start by assessing your marketable skills. Even if you don't want to return to a previous line of work, position yourself as an on-demand temp using your most marketable talents. You'll still have time for other pursuits that are more interesting to you. Research the marketplace to determine where the need for your talents exists, then target organizations that can utilize your skills.

Our October 1st Newsletter addresses work in a challenging economy and has suggestions for planning a job search and suggestions for sources of job leads.

A few organizations hire for attitude rather than skills and some organizations offer educational help. The fact is that NOW is the time of the "self-directed, lifelong learner" not the willing learner. Most organizations want an employee who can step right into a job with little or no additional training.

Learning is easier today than ever before! Did you know that many schools waive financial aid restrictions when adults return to earn a second degree in preparation for a career change? And, did you know that most mature adults do not have to take the dreaded SAT's?