Millions dream of it every day: finding a real job that offers the chance to work entirely from home.
Carla Easley, creator of the work-at-home website E-hustle Online, answered a few questions for anyone hoping to land this kind of opportunity.
Is there such a thing as a “hidden” job market for work-at-home positions?
The job market isn’t hidden. Most individuals just don’t know how to go about finding an online job. A lot of companies that offer online employment usually post available jobs on job search engines such as CareerBuilder, Monster, or Indeed. Most companies will probably avoid using the term “work at home” and use some of the following terms instead: “This is a remote position,” “telecommute,” “at-home agent,” “freelance,” or “virtual assistant.”
How would you respond to someone who claims there are no legitimate work-at-home jobs?
In my experience, the best way to get through to a skeptic is to share a few reputable companies that do not require any fees for a telecommuting position. Most likely if someone becomes aware of home-based employment opportunities with companies that they’re familiar with – such as U-Haul, Apple, or Amazon – they’ll be open to learning about other companies that offer work-at-home positions as well.
What’s the first thing people should do before they begin looking?
The first thing that people should do before they begin looking for any job is to have a résumé ready. Having a résumé that shows your previous or current work history is what you will need in order to be considered for employment.
What are the best ways to avoid a scam?
Don’t believe the hype! If a company is promising to pay anywhere from $1,000-$8,000 per week, then it’s most likely a scam.
Research the company online before applying. The best way to research a company to see if it’s legitimate is to check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org or check scam websites such as Ripoff Report. You can also read reviews by simply doing a Google search. If a company has a lot of complaints or no information online, then my advice would be to stay away from it.
Avoid using craigslist and other classified sites for finding an online position. Although you may find a legitimate job through craigslist, the average person will receive numerous emails from fraudulent companies requesting personal information and fees.