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Hello friends,

I write you this Monday morning hoping all are well and resting this weekend. I myself have taken a couple days off from the grind of searching for work here on the east coast. My next scheduled stops are Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, before heading into the Big Apple and northeastern states.

I have grown a bit road weary of late, having logged too many miles the last two weeks between Virginia and the D.C, area. I’m approaching the halfway point of my journey soon and now more than ever, I feel the need to pace myself. I certainty do not want to burnout prematurely, thus putting the tour in jeopardy.  I am not a young man anymore and my recovery time is more crucial now, especially on the road.

I did want to share with you some of the unique aspects of the Craigslist postings if you’re not familiar with or a frequent user of this site. As you know, I have made this my main tool for finding work with this adventure, since it is available in all fifty states and in over 70 countries. Yet it does vary for region to region and even city to city, as I’m finding out at every stop. At times I have written about the amount of jobs posted and I monitor the daily activity, even before I enter into a planned stop.  That’s how I try to determine the probability of finding something right away or whether it will be a difficult stop. It does not always go as planned, the job searches have been both difficult and easy so far.

The three sections I use the most are listed under ‘Jobs’. Two are ‘Labor’ and ‘Skilled’. The third of course is the ‘Gigs’ section, which I based my website name on.  The labor postings are mainly for unskilled work and can be very random and sometimes weird in nature. From someone looking for a ride to a nearby town or store, to some person wanting help with a move or hole in their roof. I see ads for topless grass mowers and personal sex assistants, to mention a few. Most jobs are posted for full time or part time positions and pay very little. Some even post ads asking help for free.

The skilled sections normally are ads looking for specific trades, carpentry, plumbing, electricians and so on. Usually full time or by contracted agreement. Most are posted by companies or self-employed independent contractors. The pay offered is mostly below the average trade scale.  Also homeowners post on these two sites when shopping for a better quote than they get from a licensed contractor. The rate is almost never posted but stated as negotiable or to be determined.  Some people get bold with their ads, demanding a flood of requirements. No drugs, alcohol, or excessive cellphone users.  No slackers, tweekers or con men. They want you to be on time, have transportation and tools and a great attitude. All for ten dollars an hours! After all, they are doing you a favor.

Then the gigs section, which is intended for small, short term work, is the most diverse. It is all over the map with job selections. This section is better suited for my circumstances, being on the road as I am. But lately the trend on this section is people posting full and part- time positions, which convolutes the ads and makes it difficult for me to sift through the section.

Then there are the predators. There are spammers using the CL to lure people with misleading ads and fake job postings, in all sections, not just the ones I use. All with the intent to manipulate other with their fraudulent schemes. Still others will hire people and not pay the agreed wage or not pay them at all. Something the illegal immigrants are more prone to encounter and usually the targets, knowing they have no recourse.

Well, that’s just a small glimpse of my experience with this website.  Obviously there is so much more to the CL and sites like them. It is part of the world of looking for work on the internet these days. There is after all, way more positive than negative about it, but precautions are always to be taken.

Thanks for your time and I wish you a good week.  #Yo-Ga-Fla

Juanjohn