You’re a young, unemployed college dropout contemplating your career options. You’ve been reading Craigslist ads from Chicago rental services that promise “unlimited earnings potential” and a “rewarding career.” You’ve also been considering becoming an Uber driver.

After researching the rental service vs Uber decision, here are some of the reasons why you decided to become a leasing agent:

  • You can’t pass Uber’s criminal background check.
  • You aren’t old enough to drive for Uber.
  • Your driving record isn’t clean enough for Uber.
  • You don’t have an Illinois driver’s license despite having been here more than 90 days.
  • Your car won’t pass an inspection or is too old.
  • Your car doesn’t have Illinois plates or a current registration.
  • You don’t have in-state insurance.
  • You don’t know Chicago well enough to find your way from place to place.
  • Uber drivers have to be courteous and respectful, and that’s just not your scene.
  • None of the above apply, but you’re not bright enough to realize you’d probably earn more as an Uber driver.
  • Uber’s website promises the “safest rides on the road.” After all, Uber recognizes that people are concerned about getting into a car with a stranger who has a criminal record, a bad driving record or an uninsured or unsafe vehicle.

    We’ve written repeatedly about rental services that have hired (or been owned by!) people who’ve been convicted of serious criminal offenses. If you’re a renter, be aware that many rental services aren’t as strict as Uber about who they hire. If you’re a landlord, give some serious thought to who will have keys to your tenants’ apartments and access to their valuables and personal information.

    Comments ( 1 )

    • Both options require far more discipline than the job seekers expect. In both cases you must work more than 40 hours a week and be available at times when most people have off, i.e. evenings, weekends, holidays. A true slacker cannot find success in either avenue and will quickly find, as with all things – there is no easy way.

      If you truly have no immediate goals and want to make money working part time, go be a caddy at a fancy country club. They are always, hiring, the hours are great (5am-2pm) and you make a lot of cash. Find the back door of the club, and ask for the caddy manager. This builds character and will shape you to better enter the career world at some point. The type A club members will kick your ass worse than your father so don’t worry about messing up, worry about showing up.

      OR understand that you will need to commit your 10,000 hours in real estate like everyone else to turn it into a living. That means showing and leasing apartments for 50 hours a week, 50 weeks a year for 4 years. After that time and commitment, I guarantee you, you will make money in real estate. Do you have what it takes?

      Real estate is a business of referrals. So you post 500 ads and 1 in 10 prospects lease. The key is long term, over time, those 1 in 10 tell others and they tell others and if you work hard, you have yourself a business. Having done it, I sat this with confidence.

      ALSO it is never easy breaking into any lucrative field so do not listen to haters, keep your head down and focus on getting a little better every day.

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