Finding a new job is not easy. Countless hours are spent perusing want ads, sending out resumes and attending interviews. It’s rare for anyone to be chosen for the first job for which he or she applies, or even the second. It can become a frustrating process. Try to imagine then how frustrating it is for the person who is hunting for a work-at-home job.
It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? After all, the signs are everywhere promising thousands of dollars monthly, all from the comfort of one’s own home. Thankfully, most people are smart enough not to apply for a job they found nailed to the side of a telephone pole. Unfortunately, for the work-at-home job hunter, there are many such scams. There are also many “jobs” out there, but nothing that will enable you to leave your present place of employment. Envelope stuffing, email reading, craft assembly, even medical billing, ads for these “jobs” can be very misleading and certainly not lucrative. Chances are you’ll make pennies, if anything at all, and that’s after you’ve parted with your own hard-earned cash. So, how does one find a “Work at Home” job? There are several ways; unfortunately, they’re not as easy as the advertisements promise.
You can try perusing the “Work from Home” job boards, but proceed with caution as these are filled with advertisements that will get you nothing but an empty wallet and disappointment. Many of these job boards cleverly disguise advertisements for scams or extremely low paying opportunities as “jobs” such as reading emails or taking surveys. These jobs will not enable you to earn anything close to your current salary, and you’d be better off saving your time and energy.
The most important rule to remember is to not part with any cash for a “job.” Why on earth would you pay to work for someone? A red flag should go up if anyone asks for a fee. Another red flag should go up if the ad has lots of dollar signs and exclamation points. A good job will speak for itself. A legitimate employer will never take out an ad claiming to be a “legitimate” employer. It’s only those with something to hide that offer this description. Never pay good money for anyone offering lists of major businesses that employ telecommuters, either. Not only is this information easily located for free, but these businesses do not enjoy receiving hundreds of unsolicited resumes from people who found their name on a shady job board. In addition, these businesses would prefer to give telecommuting jobs to people who have worked for them for a while and have a proven track record.
Now that you know to be wary of “Work from Home” advertisements, your next step is to think of ideas to enable you to work from home. There are several ways for this to happen. The first and best option is to make an appointment with your current employer to see if telecommuting opportunities exist. Make sure you present a good argument as to why this would beneficial. Would you function well without distraction or supervision? Would it be cost-efficient to the company? When discussing the benefits, always discuss how the time at home will benefit the company and your job performance, but leave your personal life out of it. If your employer thinks you’ll be spending all your time at the playground or picking up the kids after school, he or she might be less inclined to take you up on your offer. In addition, suggest that your working at home means paying less overhead. Do your research and be prepared for a respectful debate. Make a list of important points prior to proposing your idea. Offer a trial period, even one or two days home each week so you can both see how it works out. After six months or a year if your employer isn’t happy with your performance, you can return to the office or explore your options. You may decide that you might miss the camaraderie or hustle and bustle of the workplace and decide it’s better to work on-site anyway.
If your employer isn’t interested in setting you up at home, you still have alternatives. For instance you can become a Consultant or an Independent Contractor in your chosen field. If you have a good reputation, this may be a logical step. It takes a while to build up a clientele, however, so you may need to stay at your current place of employment while building up a contact list. If you have a background in sales, accounting or writing, you’re a good candidate for freelance, consulting or contracting work. You may have to start with a low price to remain competitive, but once you have a loyal following, you can decide whether or not those rates should be adjusted.
Another way to search for jobs is to look in newspapers or business websites. Some companies really are looking for telecommuters and this is where they’ll advertise. Keep in mind that newspapers also have advertisements for scams so use your better judgment. The same rules apply; don’t pay any money for employment. Something else to remember, the competition is fierce. There are millions of people wanting to work at home right now so you need an impeccable resume to snag one of these coveted jobs.
You can also consider a career change, but again, be wary when responding to online advertisements. There are plenty of ads for medical billers and transcriptionists, but many of these provide training only, not job placement. Once you’ve purchased the software, you’re on your own. Moreover, most doctors’ offices have their own billers and transcriptionists and if they do hire out, it’s to a company with whom they’ve already established a relationship. If you truly want a job in one of these fields, contact one of those agencies and ask what they recommend to get started.
There are other career choices, some which may not seem as attractive, such as telemarketing. Party plans are another option. If you have a sales background and wouldn’t mind becoming an independent sales representative for one of these businesses, it can be very lucrative and the hours are quite flexible. Some of these plans require an initial investment, while others don’t. Research the different plans to find out which is best for you. You can sell Tupperware, candles, gourmet food, lingerie, books and any number of items.
There are other ideas for a home business. Start a secretarial, concierge or graphic design service. Sell handcrafted items or become a caterer. Give music lessons or do some tutoring. Put your background to good use.
Some good advice for finding a lucrative “Work at Home” job is to use caution when perusing the many “Work at Home” job boards. While there are a few helpful sites, the majority of them don’t offer anything that resembles a real job. Here are some things to look out for:
- Beware of job boards advertising work-at-home scams or any type of employment opportunities requiring you to part with cash. These boards may issue disclaimers that they don’t recommend your working for businesses such as these, but they’re showing their support for these scams by carrying the advertisers. A job board with real opportunities would never carry ads such as these.
- Beware of job offers offering large sums of money for very little work. Use your best judgment. Why would any company pay you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to read emails?
- If a job looks to good to be true, it probably is. An employer should be available by phone and street address (not P.O. Box), as well as email. In addition, you should know the first and last names of those in charge. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure you’re not dealing with any unsavory characters and research any company thoroughly before making a commitment. Trust your instincts and never be afraid to ask questions.
- Watch out for ads offering vague information. A legitimate employer has nothing to hide and will let you know what the job entails up front.
- Ask yourself, “Why does this company need my services? Would a business with all that expensive mailing machinery and the use of a mailroom staff really want to pay me to stuff their envelopes?”
- Don’t respond to work from home job offers spammed to your email box. Would a legitimate company really send spam? No. If an employer is looking to hire, an ad would be taken out in a respectable newspaper or job board. Spammers are looking only to make money, nothing else.
Looking for a work-at-home job takes time and patience. You won’t find this type of employment overnight, especially since it requires lots of research. Your best bet, if your own employer won’t let you telecommute, is to go into business for yourself. It’s better to take your time and put your skills to good use than to fall for a get-rich-quick scheme. If you’re unfortunate enough to fall victim to a scammer, contact the Federal Trade Commission and report the unsavory entrepreneur to keep others from becoming victims.
Good luck with your job hunt.
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