Gap Year Advice

I apologize in advance for the wall of text, I just want to provide substantial information so I can get pointed advice.

I am a senior, looking to apply to I/O PhD programs, specifically professors/programs with concentrations in occupational health and mentoring. After beginning my applications earlier this semester, I realized I will not be able to dedicate enough time towards my applications as I want. Balancing research, two part-time jobs, school work, involvement in campus organizations, and working on applications was spreading me too thin. In addition, my GRE scores aren't where I want them (158 in quant, 156 in verbal). I hold a decent 3.57 GPA, with excellent grades in both my majors and in stats courses, also I have been a RA since my sophomore year, and currently overseeing an honors thesis.

I am strongly considering a gap year to solidify my interests, raise that GRE score, improve my GPA a tad, and hopefully be able to publish this thesis before applying. Moreover, it would be an opportunity to dedicate enough time to this process as I want, especially when tailoring applications and personal statements to specific programs and professors.

My questions:

1. With pursuing a PhD, a research position during this gap year would be ideal. In your experiences, how common is a paid RA or lab manager position at a university? Gotta pay the bills somehow. What advice do you have in applying for these positions?

2. Being unsure if I would like to go applied or academic, would a position in HR or an entry level position in consulting be frowned upon? Especially in regards to PhD programs? Do such positions exist, especially in consulting, for someone who holds a mere BA in psychology and health science?

I've heard a gap year is no problem, one just has to make sure it is utilized correctly. Thanks in advance for any advice or perspectives.