Four Real World Ways to Create More Jobs

Four Real World Ways to Create More Jobs  

What Works the Best? 

By Darshit karkar

Updated January 20, 2018

The goal of all job creation strategies is to stimulate healthy economic growth. Economists agree that annual growth between 2 and 3 percent is sustainable. It will create the 150,000 jobs per month needed to employ new workers entering the labor force. 

In a free market economy, the government need not do anything when growth is healthy. Capitalism encourages small businesses to compete, thereby creating better ways to meet consumers' needs. Because of this, small businesses account for 65 percent of all new jobs created. The proper role of government in this healthy economy is to provide a supportive environment for growth.

Nevertheless even a healthy economy is subject to the bubbles and busts of the business cycle. When the economy contracts into a recession, the government must create solutions to unemployment.  It may use expansive monetary policy, expansive fiscal policy or both to stimulate job growth. Some are more cost-effective in creating jobs than others. Here are the four that give the most bang for the buck. 

1

Reduce Interest Rates 

 

Expansionary monetary policy is when a central bank, such as the Federal Reserve, uses its tools to stimulate the economy. This often means lowering the fed funds rate in order to increase the money supply. The action increases liquidity, thereby giving banks more money to lend. As a result, mortgage and other interest rates decline. With cheaper credit, consumers can borrow and spend more, allowing businesses to expand to meet the increased demand. Companies hire more workers, whose incomes rise, allowing them to shop even more.

The Fed can also increase the money supply through quantitative easing. It creates credit out of thin air to buy U.S. Treasurys, mortgage-backed securities and any other kinds of debt. The Fed has many other tools, such as lowering the federal reserve requirement and lowering the rate on the discount window.

This should be done first when a recession is looming. It’s because decisions can be made quickly through the regular Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The Fed can quickly put trillions of dollars into the economy by making credit available without increasing the U.S. debt.

The main disadvantage of this is that it relies on bank lending. It doesn't directly put money into consumers' pockets. It can take six months or more to stimulate demand. 
It doesn't work once a severe recession is underway. That's because there won’t be much demand for loans. If people feel too poor to borrow, it doesn't matter how low interest rates are.

If the recession continues, then banks become unwilling to lend. That's because borrowers' credit scores fall. Banks won’t be willing to risk taking on bad loans. 
Another con is that, if overdone, expansive monetary policy can trigger inflation. To prevent that from happening, the central bank must begin raising rates as soon as the recession is over.

2

Spend on Public Works

A University of Massachusetts at Amherst study found that all government spending is not created equal. The most cost effective ones are building roads, bridges and other public works. One billion dollars spent on public works created 19,975 jobs. 

Public works creates jobs because it puts people right to work. The federal government can quickly fund construction projects already in the approval pipeline. It can hire contractors, send money to the states or hire workers directly. That was one reason why the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ended the Great Recession in 2009. It spent $87 billion in shovel-ready construction projects.

(Source: “The Employment Effects of Military and Domestic Spending Priorities”, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institute, October 2007.)

3

Spend on Unemployment Benefits 

 

The second most cost-effective solution is unemployment benefits. Every $1 billion spent created 19,000 jobs.

Unemployment benefits create so many jobs because the unemployed must spend all the benefits received. They buy necessities such as groceries, clothing and housing right away. Retailers and manufacturers respond to the added demand by hiring more workers to keep up. 

These benefits also help keep the unemployed from becoming homeless. It is more difficult for them to find a job if they lose a steady address. 
The third most effective spending solution is education. For each $1 billion spent, it created 17,687 jobs. 

4

Cut Payroll Taxes, Especially for New Hires 

 

Tax cuts create jobs by letting families or businesses keep more of the money they earn. The idea is that consumers will buy more things, thereby stimulating demand. Businesses use tax cut money to hire much-needed workers.

All tax cuts are not created equal when it comes to job creation though. A Congressional Budget Office study found that, for example, the Bush tax cuts created 4,600 jobs for every $1 billion in foregone tax revenue.

Payroll tax cuts did better. They created 13,000 new jobs for every $1 billion spent. That's because companies use the tax savings in one of four ways. All of them increased the demand needed to drive job growth for the following four reasons.

1. Reduce prices.
2. Increase employee wages.
3. Buy more supplies.
4. Hire more workers directly.

The best was a payroll tax cut given only for new hires. With it, every $1 billion created 18,000 new jobs. (Source: "The Economic Outlook and Fiscal Policy Choices," CBO, September 28, 2010.)

To learn more about why so many people favor tax cuts as the best form of job creation, see Supply-side Economics, Trickle-Down Economics and Laffer Curve.

5

Doesn't Defense Spending Create Jobs? 

When people think about the best way for ​the government to create jobs, they tend to think of World War II. According to the U Mass/Amherst study though, defense spending only creates 8,555 jobs per $1 billion spent.

This finding surprises many people. They've heard that the New Deal failed. The government needed to gear up for World War II and to end the Great Depression. It made sense back then when you consider the fact that World War II was much more labor-intensive than today's defense spending. Now, more is spent on drones, F-16s and aircraft carriers than the salaries of military personnel. Second, there were no unemployment benefits during the Great Depression, just soup lines. 
For more on the job creation ability of government spending,

6

When to Use Expansionary Fiscal Policy 

Expansionary fiscal policy works best once a recession is underway or becomes severe. Tax cuts create jobs by putting more money directly into the pockets of consumers and businesses. Discretionary spending creates jobs by directly hiring workers, sending contracts to businesses to hire workers or increasing subsidies to state governments so that they don't have to lay off workers.

One disadvantage of fiscal policy is that legislators disagree on whether tax cuts or increased spending is more cost effective. The resulting debate can delay action.
Another disadvantage is that it can increase budget deficits and the U.S. debt. That's why Congress should cut spending or raise taxes once the recession is over. 

7

Job Creation Statistics 

When looking at job creation statistics, it is important to remember that not all jobs are created equal. Federal spending on public works creates construction jobs. That will successfully reduce the unemployment rate. It may not stimulate as much demand as it would if the same number of better paying high-tech jobs were created.

In fact, jobs created after the last few recessions have led to greater income inequality. This happened because rehired workers became willing to take jobs that paid less. The high level of long-term unemployed and underemployed individuals in this recession means that this trend will only continue. For month-by-month job creation statistics since 2008.

8

Which President Created the Most Jobs? 

President Bill Clinton created the most number of jobs (21.5 million) during his term. President Barack Obama came in second, creating 17.2 million jobs from the beginning of his term (January 2009) to the end.

But Obama created 22.3 million jobs from the worst part of the recession (January 2010) through to the end of his term. That’s because there were more jobs when he started. The recession continued during the first six months of his term. The economy continued to shed jobs, reaching the low point in January 2010.

 

What Should I Do If I Can Only Find a Part-time Job? 

 

 

By Darshit Karkar

Updated january 10 , 2018

When you first graduate from college, you will be competing with a lot of people for an entry-level position. If you are looking for a new job after a layoff you may be in a similar position, where you are looking for a position, and you need any work that you can find. Some employers are not offering full-time work or even a guaranteed number of hours. This is happening in all types of work at several different

companies.

 time employees, because they are unsure of how fast the economy is growing, and they do not want to hire someone for more hours than they need, plus they can save on benefits. This means that you will not make as much as you expected with your first job. It may be difficult but there are strategies you can use to help you live off of a part-time job. 

Determine If the Job Is Right for You

If you find yourself in a position where you are offered a part-time position, you will need to consider your options carefully. It is difficult to fully commit to a part-time​ position, while you are struggling to get by and really need full-time work. First, consider how much the part-time position will pay you. Often this is higher than you would make at a full-time job outside of your skill set. You may be able to make twice as much as you would at a job at a minimum wage job.

You may be able to make ends meet by working the higher paying job and supplementing with another part-time job that pays less money.

It is also important to consider the experience that the job is providing you. For example, if you have just graduated from college and did not complete any internships, you may not have very much work experience in your job field.

If this is the case, working a part-time job in your field may give you an edge over other candidates with no experience. It also can demonstrate that you are a reliable worker and give you contacts within your field. You may be able to find freelancing work you can do while you are working at your part-time job.

Start with a Plan for Your Finances

The trick to taking on a part-time job is to find a way to manage your finances while you are working part-time. A part-time worker may not qualify for benefits such as health insurance and retirement. You will need to make plans so that you can afford to have health care and make regular contributions to your retirement accounts. In fact, you may want to treat your finances the same way you would if you were self-employed or working as a freelancer.

Create a Tight Budget

You will also need to create a budget and determine if you can afford to live on the income from just the one job. Your budget will help you prioritize the most important expenses and should help you find ways to save money. You may need to get creative when looking for ways to save, like moving back in with your parents to save on rent or you may want to consider a roommate.

 You may need to cut back on eating out and other unnecessary expenses.

Consider Working Two Jobs

You may need to take on additional work to make ends meet. If you are married, you may be able to get by with just a part-time job for a few months, but if you are living on your own or if you are the only income provider, you will need to find additional ways to make money. You may want to consider jobs that will net you more per hour than typical minimum wage jobs. Hours in the evenings or at nights can also leave the days free to look for work around your other job. Be creative as you consider other jobs to take.

Keep Looking for a New Job

It can be physically draining to work two jobs, even if they are both part-time hours. While you are working, you need to keep an eye out for a full-time job in your field.

You should look for a full-time position in your current company because you may have an advantage in getting an interview and landing your job. Make sure that you are doing your very best work since you are building references and contacts with this job. It is easy to not take a part-time job, as seriously as you possibly could, but when you are struggling to find full-time work you do not want to make this mistake.

Once you have a schedule figured out and you get used to working two jobs it is often easier for you to begin looking for a job again in earnest. It is important that you do not settle into a financial rut of part-time work because you will need a full-time job to do the things you need to financially. Make sure you are still working your contacts and looking for a solid full-time job.

How Your Attitude Defines Your Job Search

Zig Ziglar once said, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” He couldn’t be more right.

I remember when I lived next to an exceptionally grouchy old neighbor. No matter what, I always said “hello” when I spotted him outside sitting on his porch.
“How are you doing?,” I would venture.
His response?

“Just TERRIBLE.”
It never varied. Day after day, the same reply.
And he sat alone on that porch, day after day.
I never did see him smile or look happy.
And that kept me and other neighbors away. We tried reaching out, but his attitude was so awful that everyone finally gave up.
Now, imagine that in a job search.
Yes, looking for a job, especially when you aren’t working, really sucks.
But so does a bad attitude. Do you really think that people want to be around someone who is grouchy and negative all the time?
I didn’t think so.
Keeping an upbeat attitude (despite the occasional pity party) is critical to your success. Positive attracts positive. Negative simply repels everything it comes into contact.
Your attitude soaks into everything you do – how you talk, how you walk, how you look someone in the eye, how you respond, how you engage.
Your attitude, truly, is everything. It defines you and your job search.
So, pick up the pieces, and keep going, and don’t become that grouchy old neighbor who ended up being all alone.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.

How to Create a Job for Yourself.

In this day and age, finding a job is increasingly difficult. If you can't find a job for you, why not create it, and create jobs for others?

1

Plan. In order to create a job for yourself, you need to think about how exactly you will go about it, what you will do, etc. Set aside a notebook or folder for your planning. Make a list of all your work experience, skills, and achievements. Then, using these suggestions, think about what you want to do in the way of a self made job. Will you be working for someone else as an agent or contractor, or really be self-employed?

• Decide what area or field you want to work in? Will this be a full-time or part-time job that you will create?

2

Get training, as necessary, if you may lack the proper training required for an interesting job. Do you need lots of training or classes to be qualified for the job? If so, how will you get that? Maybe you can work and get free training or the job/and valuable experience at the same time. So, if you want to become a freelance writer, for example, but have no experience in writing for publications, you are not likely to be successful without a few courses, or published articles in your portfolio.

3

Find and fulfill a need for this particular product, skill or job. Look into up-and-coming fields or check out businesses in the area to see what is missing and fill that void

4

Gather your resources. Once you have a fairly clear idea of what you want in the way of a job, you need to prepare. Do you have an up-to-date resume? Do you have friends, relatives, or associates that may be able to help you? Do you need to take any courses or complete additional training in the field?

5

Be assertive (not aggressive!) and seek out opportunities. Be kind to everyone you meet so you can gain an excellent reputation in your community. Networking is key at this stage. Maintain ongoing professional relationships by contacting them with specific but brief thank you notes, and congratulations to your business contacts/colleagues, and be sure to meet or exceed all expectations and deadlines. Be sure to sell your services nicely/effectively, by not being pushy or rude to anyone.

6

Be flexible. If you can't make a go of it in one area, don't beat yourself up. There are many reasons the job you are attempting to create may not work out. For one thing, if the job is too specific or 'niche' for most people/businesses, you are likely not going to succeed. A narrow idea such as a reptile pet grooming and care salon, for example, may not do as well as an animal grooming salon that services dogs, cats, and birds as well. However, there is also the danger of overextending yourself, losing focusing by too broad a target, instead.

7

Find a happy medium specialty. Do some research. If you are looking to create a job for yourself within an existing business, don't be too disappointed, if you are turned down. If the current state of the economy is where many businesses are letting employees go, they may not be able to take on another good person. Don't take a rejection personally.

8

Keep your eyes on businesses who may be hiring. Even if your present job is a success and you are making money, a better opportunity may present itself. If you feel you can do better some other way, or you see a great new idea that will make you more money, take it!

How can I hack online games?

 

darshit karkar, Gaming since 1990

 

 

Rule number one: You don't.

But as a theoretical exercise:

Online games work on a server-client principle: There is a remote server and then there are local clients, like the "game" you are running when playing. They communicate using a clearly defined PROTOCOL, which defines what data is sent by the server to the client, and what data is sent from the client to the server. If you can intercept this communication and replace/modify it in such a way that
(a) the modified communication follows the protocol, and
(b) neither the client nor the server can realize the communication has been tampered with,

then you have "hacked" the game.

There are ways in which they can make hacking either impossible or cost-prohibitive (it would cost more to achieve the result with hacking than via normal play). Furthermore, it is possible and indeed common that the company behind the game is doing follow-up reviews/analyses of the communication/data, and when they discover suspicious patterns, they can act on those discoveries.
Example: Imagine an MMO which was designed in such a way that every dungeon has a treasure chest at the end which, when opened, spawns a random amount of precious gold, ranging from 10 to 10.000. Let's say that the "random roll of the dice" is done by the client. In that case, you might hack the communication of your client telling the server how much you got, and force it to always say "I got 10.000 gold". It would work perfectly each time - but a month from now, the company will run a review of all treasure drops of each player, and discover that you got 20 dungeon treasures, each at 10.000 gold. Now since chances of such result are only 1:100000000......0, they will realize that you hacked the game, and ban your account.

11 countries with the best quality of life in the world

Stockholm, Sweden / Flickr/Chas B

• darshitkarkar, Business Insider
• Sunday 13 january  2018 15:57 GMT

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently released its 2016 Better Life Index of countries with the best quality of life.
To do this, the OECD studied 34 countries across 11 parameters of well-being, including work-life balance, financial wealth, safety, education, and environmental quality. It uses data from the United Nations, National Statistics Offices, and the Gallup Organisation.
Check out the countries that scored the highest across every category.


11. Netherlands — This country boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world. The OECD found that students in the Netherlands score above-average in math, science, and reading comprehension tests.

10. Iceland — The country fell eight spots from last year's index. The percentage of Iceland's labor force that has been unemployed for a year or longer is at nearly 0.7%, lower than the OECD average of 2.6%.
9. The United States — Though it fell four spots from last year's Index, the US comes out on top in areas of housing, income, and wealth. The average household disposable income is $41,071 per year, the highest in OECD's study.

8. Finland — In Finland, 4% of employees work long hours, which is much lower than the OECD average of 13%.
7. New Zealand — Rising two spots this year, New Zealand prioritises the environment. Greenhouse emissions are relatively low in the country, mainly due to its low population.
6. Sweden — People in Sweden have a high level of civic engagement. In the most recent election, 83% of residents turned out to vote for its parliament.
5. Canada — This country ranks high in affordable housing. In the 2000s, Toronto and Vancouver's government rezoned all single family neighborhoods, so that homeowners could rent out extra rooms (thus increasing the amount of affordable rent available).

4. Switzerland — The unemployment rate in Switzerland hovers around 3.1%, one of the lowest in the world.
3. Denmark — The country jumped 7 spots from last year's index, and ranks high in paid vacation time, averaging 5 weeks off per year. On average, full-time workers report devoting 66% of their days to "personal care" (i.e. not working).
2. Australia — Although Australia ranked as number one for 2013 and 2014 (then fourth in 2015), it is second in this year's index. The OECD found that people feel a strong sense of community in Australia: 95% of Australians believe they know someone they could rely on.
1. Norway — The country also scored highest last year. People are living their best lives in Norway, where a majority have paid jobs, a high level of education, and live an average of 82 years.

How to Double Your Salary in Less Than a Year--Guaranteed

Want to make more money? Here is a guide to doubling your income in the next 12 months.

By Darshit Karkar

Entrepreneur and investor@darshitkarkar

Many people would love to double their salary but feel it is almost impossible. That's why when they come across an article with such a promising title, such as this, they disregard the information presented, because it seems too good to be true.

However, there are practical actions you can take to dramatically increase your income. I’ve used many of them to double my income several times. Here are my suggestions for how you can make doubling your salary in less than a year a reality.

Identify and Maximize Your Specific Skills

Everyone has naturally given talents, and you must identify and enhance these skills. This is especially true if your skill is unique among others in the organization. Having a unique talent will set you apart from others in your field and increase your value to your employer or your clients.

Do research on salaries in your specific profession on sites like PayScale and see how they may vary in different areas of the country. If you find there's better pay outside of your location, perhaps you may want to consider moving. Also research the cost of utilities, housing, and other expenses as they relate to your potential earnings. You may receive a bigger salary in San Francisco, but the cost of living could be more expensive than your current location.

Take the Initiative

Go beyond your job description. Take on projects beyond your assigned responsibilities. Make suggestions that will improve the operation of the organization, and assume new responsibilities, something introverts do very well. This will demonstrate that you have ambition and are willing to help the company in whatever way necessary. Doing more than others in your group of co-workers or other professionals in your field will show you have initiative, and enhance your reputation.

Taking on new responsibilities also creates opportunities to learn new skills, which can help you attain a promotion or a higher-paying job with another company.

Always Interview

It is a good practice to have a job interview at least once a year. You will keep your interview skills honed and will learn about other opportunities and salary ranges in your field. Also, apply for other positions within your company. One of these interviews may lead to a higher-paying opportunity. If not, your skills and résumé will be well prepared as new opportunities arise.

Expand Your Knowledge

There is always something new to learn in any profession. Take some classes related to your current job, or study a new topic. This will enhance your knowledge and expand your skill set. It will also help you become better qualified for promotions. I love to be reading (a.k.a. listening to an audiobook) on a daily basis.

Be sure your manager knows you are taking job-related classes. Become a certified professional to help you become a more valuable asset to your company, or demonstrate your expertise to the customers of your business.

Double Your Prices

This suggestion applies to business owners and may seem rather unorthodox at first, but doing so may significantly raise your income. Promote yourself as an expert in your profession or offer additional products or services to justify the price increase.

If you double your prices and lose half of your customers, this can be a positive thing. You will be making the same amount of money but doing less work. Devote this extra time to learning new skills or developing ways to expand your business. How much should you charge your clients? Here is a guide I put together for freelancers, designers, and programmers.

Help Others Make Money

People are in business to make money. Companies exist to make a profit. You can show yourself to be a valuable asset to them if your actions can increase their profits. Once you establish your reputation as such an asset, you can ask for higher fees or more pay.

I’ve been helping others make money for years. One of my students went on to start, grow, and sell a million-dollar business. Guess who funded my last startup? You never know whose life you’ll impact in an amazing way. Special note: It doesn’t always have to be with money.

Establish Your Own Business

Take a skill or hobby in which you are highly skilled and build a business. You can do this on the side while keeping your full-time employment. Not only will you be making money doing something you enjoy, your income will rise as your customer base increases.

I was able to do this at the last full-time job I had. Before I quit (which was so hard), I was making twice as much money in my business as I was in my day job. Being your own boss will give you the ability to make more money than you have ever imagined possible.

Change Jobs

If opportunities are limited at your present place of employment, consider changing jobs. Most of the time, when you switch jobs you’ll get a little bump in pay. Look for a company where you will have chances for advancement along with higher pay for the same work you are presently doing. Be willing to move to a different part of the country if the pay is higher for your profession and the cost of living is affordable.

While there is no simple way to double your income overnight, the above suggestions can serve as guidelines for doubling your income in the shortest time possible. These ideas, along with your hard work and dedication, will help your income increase.

Top 10 Best Countries in the World to Work In

Top 10 Best Countries in the World to Work In

 

 

By darshit karkar

Updated january14, 2018

 

 

Which are the best countries to work in? Which country has the best job opportunities? How does the United States compare to the rest of the world? When you measure by average salary in US dollars, the small European country of Luxembourg earns the top spot. Switzerland is next on the list, where in addition to high earnings there is a very low unemployment rate, and 20 days of vacation. The United States ranks third based on average income.
Here’s an overview of the top 10 best countries for work based on average earnings represented in US dollars. For each country, compare income, minimum wage, vacation, public holidays, parental leave, healthcare, average hours worked per week, unemployment rate, and the top industries for jobs.

1

Luxembourg 

 

Luxembourg a member country of the European Union, one of the smallest countries in Europe, smaller even than the state of Delaware. The four languages most commonly spoken are Luxembourgish, German, French and English. The country is divided between a rugged, sparsely populated northern plateau and southern lowlands with major cities and extensive farmlands.
Wineries are quite common with most villages containing at least one vineyard. Citizens of Luxembourg enjoy low unemployment, high wages, and a very low crime rate, but must cope with an elevated cost of living.

• Average Income: $60,369
• Minimum Wage: $11.20 per hour
• Vacation: At least 25 days
• Public Holidays: 10
• Parental Leave: Paid, 6 months full time, 12 months part time
• Healthcare: Mainly state sponsored, workers contribute 5.44 percent of gross income
• Unemployment Rate: 6.5 percent, March 2016
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 30

Top Industries (The CIA's World Fact Book)
Banking and financial services, construction, real estate services, iron, metals, and steel, information technology, telecommunications, cargo transportation and logistics, chemicals, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, tourism, and biotechnology. 


 

2

Switzerland

  

Switzerland is structurally similar to the U.S., as it is a confederation of 26 cantons or states, each with local governing organizations. The country is well known for its breathtaking mountain scenery with numerous peaks in the Alps soaring above 13,000 feet. The Alps form an east-west barrier that limits colder weather systems from affecting the southern portion of the country.
Have you heard of Rumantsch? It is one of four official languages spoken, along with German, Italian, and French. Tourism is a major industry, and English is widely spoken in the commercial sectors.

• Average income: $58,389
• No Minimum Wage
• Vacation: 20 Days
• Public Holidays: 7-15 depending on the state
• Parental Leave: 14 weeks at 80 percent of pay
• Healthcare: Provided by private companies and paid by individuals; Insurers must cover pre-existing conditions
• Unemployment Rate: 3.6 percent February 2016
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 31

Top Industries (The CIA's World Fact Book)
Machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance. 

3

United States 

 

The U.S. is the third largest country in the world behind Russia and Canada with over 9,826,675 square km of land. Due to the size and geographic variation in the U.S., the climate ranges from polar in Alaska to temperate, semi- arid, arid, Mediterranean, subtropical and tropical in Southern Florida and Hawaii. The United States has international political, cultural, and economic influence, and accounts for 25 percent of the World GDP.

• Average income: $58,714
• Minimum Wage: $7.25 per hour
• Vacation: No guaranteed minimum; average from 10 -20 days based on tenure
• Public Holidays: Average of 8, no statutory entitlement for private sector workers
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks, unpaid through the Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers may provide additional parental leave benefits.
• Healthcare: The Affordable Care Act is under review but currently provides protections against lifetime maximums, exclusions for pre-existing conditions and provides subsidies for low-income citizens
• Unemployment Rate: 4.8 percent January 2017
• Average Hours Worked: 34.4

Top Industries (The CIA's World Fact Book)
Petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing,.

4

Australia

The seasons in Australia are the opposite of those in the U.S. and the northern hemisphere. Winter lasts from June-August, spring from September-November, summer from December-February and fall from March through May. Australia is incredibly rich and diverse in animal life with more than 378 mammal species, 828 bird species, 4,000 fish species, 300 species of lizards, 140 snake species, two crocodile species and around 50 types of marine mammals.
The country also offers exceptional geographic diversity including mountains, deserts, and tropical rain forests. Australia is the world's only nation which is also designated as a continent. The country is an island bordering both the Indian and Pacific Oceans as well as numerous other seas.  

• Average income: $50,167
• Minimum Wage: $10.90 per hour
• Vacation: At least 20 days
• Public Holidays: At least 7
• Parental Leave: Eligible employees get up to 18 weeks leave paid at the national minimum wage. Employees are also entitled to 12 months of unpaid leave.
• Healthcare: Government sponsored, national health insurance is in place funded in part by a 2 percent tax on employees. Private insurance supplements the coverage provided by the government health system.
• Unemployment Rate: 5.7 percent, January 2017
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 32

Top Industries (The CIA's World Fact Book)
Mining, industrial equipment, transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, and steel.

5

Norway

Norway is a wealthy country with the 4th highest per capita income in the world. The high cost of living, due in part to importing much of their food, is an influential factor in Norwegian life. Situated on a peninsula stretching 1,581 miles long, Norway is located in both the northern and eastern hemispheres.
About half of the country or 37,000 square miles lies above the Arctic Circle leading to very short days, even perpetual darkness in the winter, and long days, including midnight sun, in the summer. There are over 400,000 lakes in Norway. It is the world's largest exporter of salmon, though much of its wealth is due to large oil reserves, as the country ranks as the 10th largest oil exporter in the world.

• Average income: $50,908
• No Minimum Wage
• Vacation: 25 days
• Public Holidays: At least 2
• Parental Leave: Paid leave at 80 percent of salary for 54 weeks or 100 percent for 44 weeks
• Healthcare: National healthcare financed by the government
• Unemployment Rate: 4.4 percent Dec 2016
• Average Hours Worked per Week: 27.4

Top Industries (The CIA's World Fact Book)
Petroleum and gas, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, and textiles.