Q: It seems like all the summer jobs around my town have disappeared. How can I get a good job this summer?

A: The key to getting a good summer job is to start early. It's a lot more difficult to find a job if you wait until all of the other students and young adults have started looking for one, too. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Start early. Stop in before school lets out. Businesses around a university campus are a good place to start because they will need to replace the student employees who leave for the summer.
• Keep your resumé handy. If a business isn't taking applications, leave a copy of your resumé. Even if the manager says the company isn't hiring, say that you'd like to leave a resumé with them in case they need someone in the future.
• Be persistent. Go back and check in with the managers at the places where you've applied. Ask to speak with a manager, introduce yourself, let him or her know that you dropped off an application and that you just wanted to touch base and see how things were going with the hiring process. This shows you really are interested in the position. Some places even put a mark on the applications of the people who check back. Keep in mind, though, that while you want to express your interest, you don't want to overstay your welcome and keep them from their work. Be polite, professional and concise.
• Use your connections. If a family friend owns a local business, check with him or her to see if he or she needs anyone over the summer. You would likely be hired before a stranger would.
• Check with your school's job placement office. Use resources at your school to locate internships and summer jobs. Also, be sure to check in with the various departments as they often have applications for dozens of internships, some of which are paid.

Get out there and get started.

Q: I heard the term 'liquid asset' the other day and I have no idea what it means. Can you shed some light for me?
A: A liquid asset is an item of value that can easily be converted into cash. Some examples include a short-term Certificate of Deposit, a checking account or a share of stock. If you own a share of stock in Wal-Mart, you can sell it quickly and turn it into cash. And you can withdraw cash from your checking account anytime the bank is open, or 24 hours a day via an ATM.

An illiquid asset is something that cannot be quickly and easily converted into cash. A good example is real estate. It could take weeks, months, or even years to sell a piece of property or a house.

There are also different levels of liquidity. An asset that is highly liquid (easily converted into cash) is called "near money" or a "cash equivalent." Some examples are Treasury Bills and money market funds.
 

Editor's Note: When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it's always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.