Work at Home: FAQs + Job Search
"Where do you find all of your freelance and contract jobs? How did you start writing and editing?" I get asked these questions a lot. There is no simple answer to the first question since it really depends on the individual and his or her skills. For example, when I was first laid-off, I immediately went into Plan B attack mode. Plan B was my fall back plan that I mentally planned while waves of layoffs occured. Being in the construction industry and pursuing employment in the same line of work just wasn't a viable solution to the problem. Yes, I still apply for every architecture and drafting job that appears but I have since broadened my scope of career choices. I first enrolled in an online pharmacy technician class and then looked into writing and editing.
Pharmacy technician? I get that question (with funny look) a lot too. What it comes down to is that there is still a need and demand for trained individuals in the field of medicine. It's a job that does not require that I return to school on a full-time basis which I neither have the time for nor the funds to apply. Apparently it's also something that I find no interest in and difficulty in concentrating on. It's as if I need to delete 14 years of architectural terminology and replace it with medical terms. Needless to say, I have yet to complete this course and have since concentrated on writing and editing. I have not given up on this alternative but it has become Plan C.
I always had the ability to write but was unsure how to apply this skill and where to search for such work. After browsing through multiple websites, I finally set my sites on Associated Content as a starting point. I wrote one article which I sold to Associated Content for a whopping $2.05. It was a small but satisfying victory. One article motivated me to do more and I locked myself in my office and wrote two more sample articles that I could submit upon request by potential clients. I am still learning and growing with each article I write or edit and have been able to secure a few more freelance projects that are not significant in pay but extremely valuable in experience.
I have since, compiled a list of sites that provide work at home opportunities. These sites include:
- Craigslist (Gigs) - Be wary of many of these listings as they are scams. I tend to only apply to those that have links to websites that I can verify as a legitimate business. I will often check the Better Business Bureau website to read through reviews and ratings.
- Simply Hired - Keywords are also an important part of job searches. "Telecommute" and "work at home" are a few keywords to use.
- Freelance Writing - A great resource for writers with leads on potential jobs.
- Associated Content - This website is a good place to start your article portfolio as well as sell content.
- Work at Home Moms - I subscribe and read threads in the forums. You can gain a lot of insight to possible work at home jobs and/or businesses.
The two sites that I have utilized in securing legitimate work at home jobs are sites that require membership fees. I was hesitant to pay for their services but have found them to be the best resources for telecommute/remote job listings and have received many of my job offers through these sites.
- FlexJobs - The annual fee for this site is $49.95. Not only can you find telecommute jobs, you can also search for part-time flexible work near your city of residence. Many of the jobs listed are also posted directly on FlexJobs and not linked to other job boards.
- Virtual Vocations - This site is my daily go to site for work at home job opportunities. Their membership fees can be paid weekly ($6.99), monthly ($15.99) or bi-yearly ($49.99). I pay the monthly fee and have found the majority of my telecommute work and leads through this site.
These are just a few of the resources available to those searching for remote/flexible work. If you know of any others and would like to share your work at home experiences, please email me at angela@holoholoblog.com.
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