With the current recession and rising costs of living, more and more people are looking for different ways to earn extra money. There is also a growing trend amongst stay-at-home-moms to try and help contribute to the household finances by looking for ways to earn money. This leads most toward looking into work-at-home opportunities. There are some legit jobs and businesses that can be done from home; however, there are also just as many fraudulent opportunities just waiting to scam someone through a work-at-home scheme.  While you are conducting your search for a home career (job or business opportunity), I want you to keep these 9 Top Tips For Identifying Online and Work-at-Home Scams in mind.

1.  Watch out for unsolicited email work-at-home opportunities. A quality and legitimate business will not need to send spam after spam to someone’s email. A business that attacks your email account with unsolicited email offers of at-home employment or business opportunities is a good indication that the person or company sending the email is really advertising a potential scam.  This is not referring to if you submit a request for information to a company for additional information or apply.  Some companies communicate via email to ensure you get all the details about their company and opportunity prior to moving forward.

2.  Read any work-at-home advertisement very carefully. You can usually tell by the way in which the pitch was written how legitimate the opportunity is. A legitimate work-at-home opportunity should not sound like a sales pitch. It should be straight forward and forthcoming with all relevant information pertaining to the specific job they will need you to do. For websites that are advertising a potential work-at-home opportunity, you should not have to click endless links to search for all the information about the opportunity, and still wind up will little clarity on the actual job they need you to do.

3.  Avoid opportunities that make overstated claims of how effective their product is. This is typically a good sign that the company is a scam. The last thing you want to do is spend endless hours trying to sell a product that is shady or less than quality. Always do your research!

4.  Monitor for exaggerated claims a work-at-home opportunity may make with reference to earnings or profits. For example, make $5,000 in a week!  A work-at-home scam will try to draw in people that are desperate to make money.  An exaggerated claim of high profit earnings and high part-time earnings is a good sign that the company is scamming you.  If income examples are given, there should be a way for you to check into them.  However, it is wise to never base your success off of someone else.

5.  Look for personal reference testimonials. A sure sign that the work-at-home opportunity is a scam is that there will be no way to personally contact any of the people that are listed in personal testimonials. Remember, in some ways, you are interviewing the company that is offering the work-at-home position. So, if you cannot check out their references, why should you take a chance and wind up scammed?

6.  Requiring you to pay them money for information about possible work-at-home opportunities or access to databases that list work-at-home opportunities is a huge flashing warning sign that they are a scam. You should never have to pay potential employer money to work for them or to receive information about how to work for them.  However, as an independent contractor (1099 status) or home business you should expect some form of an investment.

7.  Stating that no experience is necessary is a good indicator that they will probably hit you up for money for tools to learn how to work for them, and after you pay them no real job ever manifests.
In other words, you bought yourself some downloaded manual that made the company money. Legitimate work-at-home jobs will utilize skills you possess and will have no hidden costs.

8.  Avoid work-at-home opportunities that require you to buy into their program and then have you perpetrate the same fraud by selling that program to others. This actually can place you at risk for postal investigation.

9.  Stay clear of multi-level-marketing (MLM) work-at-home opportunities that promote and emphasize recruiting others as opposed to actually selling a product or service. They may look easy to do and promise a good earning, but these types of MLM opportunities are illegitimate pyramid schemes. Recruitment based MLM scams leave only a few at the top earning money for a period of time before it bottoms out and collapses.  They are not even listed in good standing with the BBB or have national accreditation with US Chamber of Commerce because those organizations will have no affiliations with those types of schemes/ organizations.

***Any Business or individual is a scam if it does any of the following things:***

*Does not act on promises made
*Takes your money without sending you the information or products you requested
*Does not pay you for your services or work you have done as promised
*Uses false and misleading advertisement to lure you into the opportunity or service being offered

To avoid a law suit we are providing you with questions you should ask yourself before reporting the company or individual as a scam:

*Did I read all information prior to the registration?
*Did I sign any contracts or agreements releasing liability of the company or individual?
*Did I contact administration for an explanation?
*Did I give the company or individual time to respond to my complaint?
*Did I give the company or product a chance to see if it really was what I ordered?
*Did I ever get paid from this company?

If you have answered all of these questions and are in disagreement with them, most likely you will have grounds to file a complaint with the FCC, BBB, Bad Business Bureau, and any other agency/site/organization that you can file complaints with.

For more details on how to avoid scams please visit: www.blessed2behome.org/scams.htm

So what are your thoughts on these tips?

I hope you enjoyed what I have shared with you in this posting.  I know that I enjoyed sharing it.    I LOVE receiving feedback from each and everyone of you… so please DO NOT be shy!  Leave a comment below & SHARE this information with your friends by clicking the links below the post to share on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and so forth.

To Keeping You SAFE From Online Scams…

Blessings,

If you’re serious about working at home, you’ll need to create a comfortable space where you can work undistracted.  Whether your home office is a corner of the family room or a separate room altogether, this primer can help you get started.  What follows are your home office essentials.

The Basics

Computer – While you may be tempted to pick up an inexpensive model, consider buying the best computer you can afford. It pays to purchase a model that will last for several years than to continue to pay for multiple upgrades. Busy parents should consider a laptop for those moments they need portability. A small laptop can go with you to the play room, back deck and playground.

Software – There’s no way around it. If you want to work at home, you’ll need the essentials. If you haven’t yet installed Word, Excel and other necessary Microsoft Office software, you’ll need to do so. Most employers expect you to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint, but these programs can be expensive.

If money is an issue, visit openoffice.org and download Open Office for free. Open Office offers software alternatives compatible with the Microsoft programs. Another free program that’s an absolute must is Adobe Reader. You’ll need this to open PDF files.  Download this at Adobe.com.

If you’re not sure how to use these programs, there are plenty of free online tutorials to help you. The library also offers plenty of “how-to” books and tutorials.

High Speed Internet – Dial-up is no longer acceptable in today’s busy home office. Employers want reliability and speed. Dial-up may be cheaper, but it’s not better. Considering how you can write off many home office expenses, including your Internet service, why would you use a slow connection?

Desk or work station – You don’t need to have anything fancy, but you do need to have a work area that’s sturdy, holds all of your equipment and supplies without being crowded, and allows you to move in comfort. For some people this is an old kitchen table, for others it’s an entire work cubicle. Decide what will work best for your space.

Dedicated Phone Line – Depending on your line of work, you might need a dedicated phone line. If you will be spending a great deal of time on the phone you’ll want your own line, one family members won’t be using all of the time.

Headset – If you’re going to be working a job requiring you to spend a lot of time on the phone, a headset is a must. Nowadays, headsets are lightweight, comfortable and many consist of a single piece fitting over one ear.

Comfortable Chair – If you’re going to be sitting for hours at a time, you’ll want a chair offering good back support and comfortable seating. A wheeled chair allowing you to move freely between stations is best, but not mandatory.

Scanner or Fax – This too depends on your work at home job. If you find you need to copy or send documents on a regular basis, these items are necessary staples. If you only need to fax the occasional contract or paperwork, it’s probably more cost-efficient to visit your local copy center.

File Cabinet – This can be a one drawer or four drawer depending on your needs. Even if your job doesn’t generate a lot of paper, you’ll still need to store check stubs, receipts and contracts.

No Printer?
Notice I didn’t say printer? That’s because most home workers don’t need one. In fact, most of us email our work directly to the client. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t have a printer for household or family business, however. If you can’t afford to give up spare work space, there’s no shame in keeping the printer in a closet until you have something to print.

Keep Organized
Once you have the essentials, you can start to set up your office. Think carefully about where to put each item. For instance, a bulletin board should be in your direct line of sight so you can see calendars and reminders at a glance. Often used office supplies work best within a hand’s reach, while others can be stowed away in a drawer.

Keep your work area neat and tidy. Consider buying slotted trays and file holders to store important papers. You’ll waste less time having an organized work space than if you have to hunt through clutter to find paperwork.

A Quiet Space
It’s best to have a door you can shut keep out the noise. Of course this is easier said than done when working in a home with children. After they are in bed however, you may need to close out the world and take a few quiet hours to work.

It’s What You Make of It
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on the latest equipment or have an addition attached to your house. Your home office can be any space where you can work comfortably and in a productive manner. Whether that’s a card table in your basement or a 20-piece work station is entirely up to you.  (Author Deborah Ng)

I highly recommend installing at least (3) different types of antivirus/antispy software on your computer.  Free versions work fairly well, but it is always a good idea to invest into one individual FULL version application, which you will provide you with greater protection in the long run and employers are more apt to consider you for many projects to come.

To Your Success in A Home Career…

Blessings,

You are probably wondering “how can I prepare for a phone interview?”  I know, I was in your same spot when I was in the process of being hired to work from home.  This is why I am providing some great tips that will help you to prepare for ANY phone interview that you may have.

The preparation, conduct, method of handling questions, and even your body language are as likely to impact the outcome as if you were sitting in the office of the recruiter.  Following are some very useful guidelines.

Step One: The Rehearsal

Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend or your spouse listening to you, asking questions and playing the part of the interviewer. Make a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask and have good answers prepared, but have them on the top of your head in general and not memorized. Memorized answers can sound canned and not real, and will not help you. You need to appear genuine and real.

Step Two: Why are You Right for This Opportunity?

Prepare and practice two or three ideas that you want to get across to the interviewer as to why you are the right person for this opportunity. If you are having trouble thinking of ideas, read your resume again. Look for the key points, qualifications or accomplishments you have written, and be ready to discuss them.

Step Three: What’s in it for Them?

What can you do for the company? The recruiter really doesn’t care why you would like the opportunity; they care about how you can help the company if you are hired.

Step Four: Dress to Impress (Yourself)

On the morning of the interview, get dressed. Wear the same clothes when you are on the phone that you would wear if you were in front of the interviewer in person. Dress for success and your attitude will reflect it. Dress in your pajamas or an old sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as well.

Step Five: Smile

Smiles are contagious, even if they can’t be seen. Good salesmen know this and practice smiling on the phone. There is something in your voice and attitude that is conveyed when you smile, and the person on the other end of the phone can sense it. There is truth in the old saying, “Smile and the world smiles with you.” It is basic human nature.

Step Six: Speak Clearly

It is important to speak clearly and to enunciate your words. Use a good quality phone, a land line not a cordless. If at all possible do not use a cellular phone for the interview. Crackling noises are distractions and bad cell sites, leading to dropped calls, are a negative. You only want positives during your phone interview.

Step Seven: Relax. Be Yourself

During the interview itself, try to relax and be yourself and do your best. When it is over remember to thank the interviewer for his or her time, and offer to provide any other information they might need to make a decision. Be professional and you may well be rewarded with an opportunity.  (Author Heather Eagar)

Some other important things to remember:

Schedule the interview so that there is enough time to do homework and prepare. Reschedule surprise interviews. Tell the caller that you have a conflict and arrange a mutually convenient time that allows you at least 24 hours to organize and plan for the discussion. Make sure to get the name and title of the person with whom you will be speaking.

You should be in a quiet area where there are no distractions. That means making sure there are no disturbances. Barking dogs, crying children, background stereo or TV, or any other type of noise or disruption is unprofessional. Make sure your family knows you cannot be bothered. If alerted by your call waiting service, ignore it – and don’t forget to shut off your cell phone. If it is not possible to eliminate disturbances, then arrange to take the call from a location outside of your home or office.

Keep pen and paper handy to jot down an address, phone number, or the spelling of a name. It is our recommendation that you do not take notes while being interviewed. Note taking creates uncomfortable pauses in the dialog and you will invariably miss part of what is being said. Write any notes at the conclusion of the interview while the information is still fresh in your mind.

Lastly, thank the person for the interview, show enthusiasm about pursuing the opportunity, and ask about the next step in the process. Write a thank you note the same day. Follow up with a phone call within two or three days to ask questions that have surfaced since the interview.

I hope you enjoy all of the information provided in posting.  I know that I enjoy sharing it.   By the way, I LOVE receiving feedback from each and everyone of you… so please DO NOT be shy!  Leave a comment below & SHARE this information with your friends by clicking the links below the post to share on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and so forth.

To Your Development In Any Career You Pursue…

Blessings,

As you are conducting your search right now for that AWESOME opportunity to do from the comfort of your own home.  I want to make sure you understand the difference between working a home based job and a home career.  Many of us didn’t know that there was a difference.  In the beginning, I know I did not.  So it is best that this is explained to you now so that you understand.

Sometimes people get confused by the terms work at home job and business opportunity. They are generally two different ways to work at home. Some people think they are interchangeable, but they really each have their own characteristics.

HOME JOB
A work at home job is much like a job outside the home. You will be EMPLOYED by a company. You will have a Manager to report to and will be given work and often have a schedule to follow that is set by the company.  While most work at home jobs do not hire on people as employees, they are still basically working in the role of an employee.  Most work at home positions are as an independent contractor, which basically means the company does not withhold taxes and do not have to guarantee work for the person.  Most companies will pay you as W-2 employee and will pay either per minute, hourly, salary, commission or base by.  It varies by each company.

Many of these companies have tedious hiring processes.  They will have many applicants to compete with as there are not that many companies that hire employees to work from home.  These companies most likely will complete a background check and require a headset, landline, printer/fax/copier, no distractions and so forth.  Most times you will have to purchase these things to be able to start. Some companies will reimburse you for these, some will not.  If you have children, you may still need daycare or a babysitter because you cannot have any background noises or distractions for most of the positions companies offer.   With a work from home job, there is still no security and no freedom.  You can be fired or laid off at anytime.  And worst of all, with a work at home job and a traditional job; you are trading your valuable time for money.  (Find out more about work from home jobs by contacting a well known company that specializes in placing people in legitimate jobs from home: Blessed 2 Be Home. You can send them an email and get a current listing of hiring companies)

HOME BUSINESS
A home business is like any other business.  The person is generally responsible for every aspect of the business from customers to products to administration.  A home business owner can work with a company and sell their goods or offer their services, so they do not have to worry about products and in some cases orders.  They are Independent Contractors and issued 1099s instead of W-2s.  This shows the IRS that they are not employees and are able to receive all the tax cuts that regular business owners receive.  This means that you would be able to write off your mortgage/rent, phone bill, cell phone bill, gas, electric, car mileage, printer ink, internet, computer usage, and so much more.  However, the main point to a home business is that you are not given work to do. You are responsible for managing your business.  You will not have a boss to report to, quotas to meet, or a set schedule to work.  Most companies that you start a home business with will send you a commission check daily, weekly, and/or monthly, but if you are not working with a company and it’s your own company then you’d handle your own pay. When you are your own boss, you are in control of the income that you make.  You can give yourself a raise when you want too!  You have the ability to build a lifetime income through residual commissions (which means you get paid over and over off of something you did once—you will not get this perk with a job from home!).  A tax-deductible monetary investment is normally required some as low as $50 and often a low monthly tax-deductible overhead cost to maintain what the company provides to you to use to operate your own business.

HOME JOB OR HOME BUSINESS
The two terms, work at home job and home business, are often a cause for someone to get wrapped up in a work at home opportunity they do not understand. Many people mistake a home business for a work at home job and are disappointed they have to handle so much work or that they are not guaranteed paychecks on a steady basis. Others get a work at home job and are not happy at having someone give them work to do and a set schedule. That is why it is important for anyone wanting to work at home to understand the difference between the two.

I hope you enjoy all of the information provided in posting.  I know that I enjoy sharing it.   By the way, I LOVE receiving feedback from each and everyone of you… so please DO NOT be shy!  Leave a comment below & SHARE this information with your friends by clicking the links below the post to share on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and so forth.

To Your Development In Any Career You Pursue…

Blessings,