Career tips: work at home job hunt

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.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

 

Tips To Minimize Job Hunting Stress

by Nathan Newberger

The job hunt is not an easy process and being in between jobs just adds more stress to your life. Who needs that? While you may not be able to get rid of all the stress, you can eliminate a lot of it.

These 6 tips will help you get rid of unnecessary job search stress. 

1. GET ORGANIZED
You should NEVER be stressed because you cannot find something. This goes beyond keeping track of resumes and cover letters. Other essentials like diplomas, certification certificates, and forms of identification should always be easily accessible. Most people agree that the creation of an employment portfolio is the best solution. One easy to access container of all your essentials will relieve pressure when searching for information or gathering materials prior to an interview. 

2. STICK TO A SCHEDULE
The most successful job seekers admit that finding a job is a full time job. Just being busy creates a stressful atmosphere. Creating and maintaining a schedule lets you visualize what you need to get done and when you need to get it done. Often times we create stress in our minds. A schedule quantifies how busy you actually are not how busy you think you are. Moreover, you can monitor how well you follow your schedule to determine how efficiently you use your time. 

3. TAKE A BREAK
All work and no play can make you a dull person, and make you go crazy. Under excessively tense conditions, recreation plays a vital role in maintaining composure. The beauty of the schedule is that it not only lets you see when you need to get work done, but also when you don’t need to get work done. Fill your free time with fun, relaxing activities that take your mind off worries. Finding a job is a full time job, but it should not consume 24 hours of the day 7 days a week. 

4. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
People also create stress by not evaluating where they stand with a prospective employer. They tend to assume that they are not in good standing with a company or interviewer, which only creates more tension and worries. Take time to stop and think about correspondences and other interactions. Pay attention to the tones people use as they write or speak. Reflect on the impressions you make from a phone interviewer. A second round of interviews probably means you made the cut and are in the running for the job. Serious contemplation of these types smaller things will remove uncertainty, thus remove worry. 

5. AVOID REPITITIVE STRESS
You can improve efficiency and free up time, but recognizing opportunities to reuse work you have already done. This does NOT mean using generic cover letters and interview questions. However, having templates that can be modified to custom fit companies and situations is worthwhile. The key is to reduce the amount of work you have to do, without sacrificing the authenticity of the impression you leave. An employment portfolio can make this recycling even easier. Just remember that everything you say or write to a possible employer should reflect your personality and your thoughts on working for that particular employer. 

6. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
As it comes down to the wire, the most stressful part of a job search for many people is the most confrontational part of the process: the interview. An interview is, in some respect, an employer’s way of testing you. Just like you studied for tests in school, you can study for interviews. This is more than just doing background research on a company. Think about possible questions the interviewers might ask you and think about how you would respond. Many people find it helpful to actually go through mock interviews with friends or family. Find a preparation method that works for you. Whatever it may be, use it. If you can eliminate the anxiety of an upcoming interview, you will perform better and feel better. 

CONCLUSION
If you ever find yourself stressing out over your situation, think back to these 6 pointers. Stress reduction is incredibly helpful, so let it work for you.

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Preparing for Your 2010 Job Search; 5 tips to get you ready

Robert Half International

job search

The good news: You have a job. The bad news: You'd like to find a new one, and the current state of the economy has undermined your efforts.

You don't have to wait out the storm. You can take steps to prepare for your job search. By laying the groundwork now, you'll be well-positioned once the job market recovers, giving you a valuable edge.

Following are five tips to get you started:

1. Update your résumé. The most essential element of any job search is an up-to-date résumé. If you haven't touched your résumé in awhile, dust it off and make sure it highlights your most recent skills, areas of responsibility and accomplishments. Taking a little time over several weeks to work on this document is better than rushing to complete your résumé all at once. Keep in mind that this draft of your résumé will serve as a starting point. You'll want to customize it to each position for which you apply.

2. Keep your profile current. Your professional profiles on networking Web sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook serve as an informal résumé for recruiters, who are more frequently using these sites to locate talented candidates. Make sure your profile is complete and current. Also, consider taking advantage of the extra features many of these sites offer. For example, LinkedIn allows you to secure recommendations from members of your network for display on your page. Adding a few to your profile can help you stand out from the crowd.

3. Put your best digital foot forward. In a competitive job market, a polished professional reputation -- both online and off -- can make or break someone's chances of landing a coveted position. As a result, it's important to get a sense of your digital footprint, or the presence you have on the Web. Building a strong reputation online, or remaking a poor one, can take some time.

Start by searching for yourself on several search engines. If you discover unflattering information, such as an embarrassing picture from a college trip to Mexico, remove it or ask the person who posted the information to do the same. You also should adjust your privacy settings on social networking Web sites to ensure that personal details or photos are available only to the people you select.

4. Make new friends. The best time to expand your network of business connections is when you don't need a job. Reaching out to new contacts now allows you to nurture the relationships. Maintain regular communication with your contacts and offer your assistance as necessary. When you launch your own search and you're in need, they'll be willing to return the favor.

5. Prepare your references. You'll need several people with whom you've worked to sing your praises to prospective employers when your search begins. So why not start identifying and reaching out to these contacts now?

Although most hiring managers ask to speak to three to five individuals, you'll want to prep more people than this. Like your résumé, your reference list should be customized for each opportunity. That means you'll want to be able to call on people who can speak to several different aspects of your career -- for example, your work ethic, management skills or ability to work with diverse audiences.

Check in with former managers and peers to ask if they would be willing to recommend you if contacted by a hiring manager. If it's been awhile since you've connected with a potential reference, arrange to meet for coffee or lunch, or send a note along with an article you think the person would find interesting. Let each person know you'll contact him or her if a prospective employer has requested your references.

Although you can't control the economy, you don't have to be a passive observer. By preparing for your entry into the job market now, you'll be ready to take advantage of new opportunities as soon as they arise.

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5 Tips for Job Hunting in the Twittersphere

Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

Gaining a great deal of support from career industry professionals, recruiters and human resource specialists worldwide, Twitter is revolutionizing how people hunt for jobs in today's economy.

How? Susan Britton Whitcomb, co-author of "The Twitter Job Search Guide," explains: "In the past, you had to go through a maze of gatekeepers to get to the cloistered person in charge of hiring decisions. Now you can have access to them with the click of a Follow button. The ability to level the playing field -- placing you nearly peer-to-peer with influencers, leaders and hiring authorities -- is extremely powerful."

And that's not all. "Using Twitter you can find insight, encouragement, connections, job leads and company insider information in bite-sized messages of 140 characters or less," co-author Chandlee Bryan adds. "You can also get advice from some of the world's most respected career experts on everything from starting your search to negotiating salary. It's like fishing for trout at a pond that's been stocked in advance."

Whether you're job hunting via Twitter now or plan to in the future, there are some key guidelines to keep in mind. Whitcomb, Bryan and co-author Deb Dib offer the following advice for writing high-impact tweets and succeeding in the Twittersphere:

1. "Active participation is essential," Bryan says. "If you build a community, help will come. Job seekers who get the most out of Twitter use it to expand their networks and achieve a sense of community. They not only ask for help, but also engage with others."

2. "Be upfront about interests and career objectives," Whitcomb stresses. "We talked to several job seekers who searched for new positions after being laid off. While their individual approaches varied in terms of when and how they chose to advertise their availability, a common theme emerged: Successful job seekers were specific about what they wanted. They let others know their skills, strengths and preferred job function."

3. "Acknowledge that the job search is a relationship-building process -- not an 'I-need-a-job' transaction," Dib says. "The job search is like dating; it takes time to build a relationship. If you ask for a long-term commitment the first time you meet someone, chances are good that you will be disappointed. And so it is with Twitter -- building a strong network that can generate job leads takes time. You may find job listings overnight, but it takes time to grow connections with hiring managers and influencers."

4. "Be transparent in expressing appreciation and progress," Bryan advises. "While some job searches require confidentiality, many of the job seekers we spoke with used a very transparent approach. This included posting regular updates on the status of their job search, as well as shout-outs to individuals who had helped them."

5. "Be clear about your brand," Dib says. "Successful job seekers have a distinct brand that helps their networking contacts and prospective employers get a quick picture of who they are, how they work and how their talents would bring value to the table."

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