Question and Answer Box

If you have questions, don't be shy, asking is the key to knowledge.  Simply click on the comment box at the bottom of any page.  You may also email me directly at demihelena@gmail.com.  For experienced wah'ers feel free to add your recommendations to any questions posted too! 

Hi Demi, I am located in Lima Peru and speak english and spanish both. I have call center experience (worked in the US for over 12 years) and also worked from home as a telephonic interpreter for american companies and hospitals. I wanted to know if you by any chance know of any companies that would be willing to hire someone outside the US to work from home doing bilingual work, I have a VOIP number from the US and fast speed internet. Thanks and hope to hear from you very soon.   July 12, 2011 9:09 AM

Demi said...

Thanks for contacting me. Most of the call center jobs I post on my blog are for US based agents. I don’t know of any specific call center companies that hire Peruvian based workers. Lionbridge (home based web search evaluation, not a call center) does hire in Quechan, Peru (forgive me my geography is not up to speed), I’m not sure how close this is to you. They also hire translators. Many of the major US hotel chains, such as Starwood, Choice, and Inter Continental hotels hire non-US workers, so you check those out to see if they are located in your vicinity and hiring work at home employees. Visit the corporate websites of GE, American Express, Expedia or any major corporation that may have a branch office in your location. Another option is freelance translation, these jobs come up sporadically and I do post what I find, so keep visiting the blog. O Desk and other freelance sites hire world wide, but it's usually temporary and the pay scale is lower. I will post your question to the question box on my blog (will remove your email address) with the hope that another reader may have some more suggestions. Being bilingual is definitely a plus, so stay positive I'm sure you'll find something. I hope this will be of some help to you. Please pass my blog link along to friends and family and if one of the advertisers appeals to you, kindly visit that site. The small affiliate income does help to support what I do.
Best wishes in your job search.  Demi July 12, 2011 9:10 AM

On Tue, May 31, 2011 at 11:10 PM LB emailed:
Thank you so very much for your website. I happened upon it several months ago and it has become a daily check point for me. I have several individuals that have benefited from your postings. Now I could use your advice. I am the mother of two children. About a year and a half ago I found a great work at home job and it looks like I am about to lose this job.


I hold various certifications with Microsoft products so with that said I have always looked for non-phone jobs. I am not looking for virtual admin positions but I have done Excel work for various small companies. I really want to find something that allows me the freedom to work when kids are napping or at night when they have gone to bed.

My question to you is this - do you have any recommendations of where I start searching for a new job??

Thank you in advance for your help and advice. Thank you for creating this website. You have no idea how many individuals you have helped. Take care!!

Demi replied:

Thank you for your very kind words. I appreciate the feedback on my website. Now on to your situation, so sorry, to hear about your upcoming job loss. Flexible jobs are so important to parenting. I posted 2 Power Point jobs yesterday, perhaps something like that might work out. Have you thought about writing, great flexibility there. There's also Web Search Evaluator, that's one of my gigs. Check out Leapforce, Butlter Hill or Lionbridge, they all hire routinely. Check my favorite wah forums for other freelance type jobs and maybe you'll come across an Excel position. Many people find freelance work on Craig's list, just be sure to follow my advice on avoiding the scams before you respond to a blind advertisement.

Once again thank you for your encouraging words. Best wishes to you and your family.

LH asked:
Hi Demi,
I applied for this job and got a quick response and hire without a phone interview. This is the email they sent me, and I have a feeling it's a scam, but I would like your opinion.

"On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 10:25 AM, wrote:
Hello,
Thanks for your response...We want to employ a financial assistant/administrative secretary who'll handle billing and handle a full inventory of monthly billings,payments and activities routed through him/her.we are a group of business oriented people who deal primarily in Furniture Making.we need a company assistant/secretary to help processing payments, from customers and keep records of transactions going on.The effect is our customers start sourcing for other suppliers so having a secretary always at hand has it's numerous advantages.We have lost too many deals due to this and we are trying to minimize to the least,losing our customers due to this same issue.

We sell mostly here in US and in Canada .The best form of payment is via certified Cashiers checks and money orders as they are readily available.So you are required to receive and cash payments from customers in form of Cashiers Checks or Money Orders.You are to deduct 10% On every payment you get cashed & forward the balance after deducting 10% via western union or Money Gram to any of the company's regional offices, you will be contacted with the information to send the money to as soon as you get the payment cashed.This 10% will constitute your wages.Most of the buyers we work with are those we've previously handled successful transactions with,new buyers are verified personally by me so you have nothing to worry about.

An average transaction is for $1,800.00 and upwards. All charges during cashing,sending of payments and transaction completion will be deducted from the balance after you have gotten your pay and NOT deducted from your pay so your pay is fixed on the amount cashed per transaction,which is 10% of every payment you cash.If you can handle as many as 3 transactions per week,but you'll be handling one(1) initially to see how efficiently you can carry your tasks out and complete transactions. On 3 transactions you're sure of nothing less than $600 weekly.The hours are flexible and you can decide when you want to work,we don't need you online 24/7 just online on a daily basis and check your emails regularly. Working with us will also not disturb your other jobs as we require that applicant only have easy access to the internet,be reachable easily and respond/carry out instructions sent as soon as possible.

If you are Interested in this job opening reply with the following information
And then they wanted name address email, basic stuff."

Please let me know what you think.
Thank you and God Bless for providing such a wonderful service!  20 May 2011
 
Demi replied.....
Yes, it's a scam and you are right to trust your instincts. Legit companies do not ask you to receive customer payments and forward cashier checks in return. The customer payments you receive will be bad checks and in the meantime you'll have already sent the cashier's check and be left responsible for the bad checks. Keep searching and you'll find a legitimate job and always trust your instincts.
Best wishes and feel free contact me anytime.  20 May 2011

Justaznice said...


Wow!! Demi NOW you have impressed me. I was thinking, 'this website is a scam, there is no Demi and no one will respond'. Well you have calmed all my fears... lol. Surely you understand my thinking. There are so many scam artists when it comes to WFH opportunities. Ok, now we have gotten all the formalities out the way lol, how does this work? Just check here everyday for new job postings, click the link and go from here? Do you check each job link posted to see if it legit, or just basically go on what others say about the job or both? Also thanks for the compliment on my name. My hubby and I have an Ebay business and that is the name, but the rules have gotten so strict, we are having trouble making extra money now... Thanks
May 4, 2011 9:37 PM


Demi replies….


You are very kind, and yes I really do exist (lol). Yes, visit each weekday, click on the links that appeal to you and apply if interested. 99% of the jobs here are legit; I say 99 because once in a blue moon, something does slip by me. Most of what I do is simply intuition from working from home for 6 years now. I can easily spot most scams, too high salary, targeted at a specific group, or something in the job wording. I stay away from Craig’s list and EBay advertisements because they are impossible to verify. Not to say you can’t find a job there, I just don’t mess with them. I prefer to have a company name, but will post jobs without one if it seems legit or is on a legit job site. You should always do your own homework before providing too much personal information. You can look at the tab above titled “Spotting the Scams”, that will give you some guidelines. Most people can do the same thing that I do; I’m just helping out the newbie’s and making life easier for everyone else. All I ask in return is pass the blog along to friends or family members, support it by visiting the advertisers that interest you, and most importantly when you find a great job, please give me your success story. Best wishes in your job search and hoping your EBay business picks back up too. May 4, 2011

Justaznice said...


Hello Demi,
I ran across your website as i was looking for information on Active Outdoors/Reserve America work at home job. Iam seeking to supplement my income and wandered if you heard anything about this company being a scam? My time is very valuable, and not interested in any scams.. Which is why i really appreciate your website. Thanks.   May 4, 2011 7:29 PM


Demi replied:

Hi Justznice,
Thank you so much for contacting me and your kind words about this blog. That is my only goal here to provide legitimate work from home job leads and information. Active Network/Reserve America is a legit company that books campground and park reservations around the country. I had one friend who worked there about two years ago and loved it. It is a sales based position, so the goal is to book a reservation. My friend’s only complaint was customers who got mad when the camp site they wanted to reserve was filled. I remember thinking, if that’s the worst, well that’s not bad at all. Keep in mind they are temporary positions only. For more current information on the company visit one of my favorite work at home forums listed on the right and search for "Active Network or Reserve America.  The wah forums are places such as WAHM or Work Place Like Home (scroll down on the right side an you'll see them).  They are communities of people who work from home.  If you don't find anything, simply post a question “is anyone currently working here?” Best wishes and please let me know how it works out. PS.  Love your name.  May 4, 2011


Anonymous said...
i dont understand why most links i go to looking for telecommuting positions has links for people that needs like a bachelors degree or some kind of degree its like they dont have position for the newbies or the ones that dont have the higher up education   April 26, 2011 11:46 AM

Demi said...
I understand your frustration. There are jobs for newbie or HS grads only, you just have to find them. Without knowing your individual skills all I can do is generalize. Many customer service jobs want good communication skills, good computer/typing skills, HS degree and most prefer some experience (6 months). Other types of experience can substitute for this  (see the Tips section tabs above or clcik this link http://howtoworkfromhome-demi.blogspot.com/p/tips-for-working-at-home.html ) Some suggestions for CSR jobs would be Alpine Access, West at Home, 1-800 Flowers or U-Haul. A non-phone suggestion would be Search Engine Evaluation (they prefer a degree, but it is not required). What you need for this job are a relevant skill set with good computer skills, avid user of social media networks, and a wide variety of interests and/or experience. If interested in this type of work see Leapforce or Lionbridge. Just use the search feature to find those jobs.  Virtual Assistants simply need a high level skill set of typing and exposure to a variety of office software applications. Volunteer work can substitute for actual experience. . While you’re job searching try doing some volunteer or freelance work to substitute for actual experience. O’Desk hires all types of freelancers, the pay is low to start, but it will get you the needed experience. Finally, after you’ve revised your resume according to my tips or suggestions have someone proofread it for typographical or grammatical errors. In today's world of texting and informal communication it is very easy to forget that basic grammar and spelling is stll vital to your resume or job application. Best wishes to you.
 April 26, 2011 2:32 PM

Anonymous commented : Hey Demi,
thanks for all u do here! I have a question for you.

People often tell me how lucky I am and how easy I have it working at home. I do agree, I love the freedom and flexibility I have. However its not always easy. Right now I have all IC jobs where I can pretty much work when I want. I am having a hard time managing my time, reaching my daily goals and quite simply, staying motivated. I have not been able to meet my goals lately and I feel like a failure sometimes. I feel blessed with what I have but cannot stay focused and I don't want to lose my great gigs. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thanks so much!!! March 20, 2011 8:54 PM
Demi replied:
Time management is something most of us WAH’ers struggle with. It’s quite common for non wah’ers to think we watch soap operas and can take off whenever we want; when we know we work harder than they do for less money. When working numerous jobs, especially as an IC the flexibility is a blessing, but you must work efficiently or it won’t work out. These jobs come with a certain amount of unpaid time, so you must be certain that you are still making money. There are many time tracking software tools out there, personally, I don’t use them. I simply use the invoice software provided by both my employer and my contractor. I take the approach of let’s keep things simple, because why spend valuable time tracking something in one place only to input it somewhere else. However many people need to see everything in one place , so until you get a handle on where your time is being spent you may need some type of system. Try to track your time (all of it, working and down time) for a week or so to see if you can find areas of improvement. Be sure your goals are realistic for the type of work you're doing, and your other obligations. For time tracking, use Excel, free software or a notebook, doesn’t matter as long as you know where your time is going. Some people do great with a flexible schedule and others need structure; only you can determine that. One thing I do with my web evaluation job (that’s the IC one) is never work in less than one hour increments. I tried it and it’s too easy to start, stop and before you know it the day’s gone, and you only worked 2 hours. Remember too that, flexibility is great, but only if you’re making money. So keep track of that unpaid time, if it’s getting out of hand, then you may need to rethink your current situation.

I make lists, I couldn’t survive without them. I have one for each job, as well as one for home/family. I like seeing what needs to be done and checking off those “to do” items. Even though the lists are ongoing, its a mental boost to see I'm makin progress. Remember though, when wah, the most important thing is to make time for yourself. Try to take at least one day off per week, and schedule “me time”. Now me time, is not doing laundry or mowing the lawn. Me time is going for a walk, watching a basketball game or whatever you enjoy, I recommend getting out and away from your computer. Most of the time frustration, lack of motivation comes from not having enough time for yourself or being too isolated. So get some exercise, recharge those batteries, makes lists, work in increments, reward yourself with time off, and be certain that flexibility isn’t overriding what you should be earning. If you do find that flexibility or even your current career path is not for you, that doesn’t mean you can’t work from home, you just might need to do something different. Best wishes and thank you for your very kind words. March 21, 2011

Anonymous said...

Don't take this the wrong way please, I like your tips and everything, but why are there so many repeat jobs on here. March 17, 2011 1:47 PM

Demi said...

Thank you for writing to me. I must admit my first response was feeling a tad bit hurt. I spend several hours each day searching for new and legitimate job leads to post. As I thought about it, I realized you have no way knowing this and your question is a valid point. I ask all the time for feedback and I do want to hear it, hurt feelings or not.

To answer your question, you will at times see duplicate even triplicate job postings, though usually not in the same week. The reason for this is simple, the companies are still hiring. They either have several openings, haven’t found the candidate their looking for yet, or the current applicant didn’t work out. In the case of larger call center type operations, they simply advertise continuously due to the high turnover rate or recruit for future openings. There are even some companies that will advertise the job themselves and also contract with a temporary staffing agency. It’s helpful to know this because you might receive a better offer by going directly with the company.

My thought process when re-posting these jobs is multi-fold. First being, a new comer to the site may not know the job was posted two weeks ago. Secondly, this lets all of you know this company is still hiring so go ahead and take another look or even reply. Sometimes the links or job ID numbers change, so the new listing will have the latest link. Finally, the only goal here is to offer the most comprehensive list of available work at home jobs for everyone. I do understand when how frustrating it is when you’re job hunting and cannot get a break. Just skip over the jobs you’re not interested in, but don’t stop visiting because of duplicate postings. You might miss out on the new lead that is just what you’re looking for. Best wishes with your search.
March 17, 2011 4:46 PM

Desperate for work said...
How do you get experience when you don't have any? March 10, 2011 12:27 PM

Demi replied:
This is a very good question and a problem that exists in both the B&M and WAH worlds. For some WAH jobs excellent skills can sometimes substitute for experience. Be sure that your skill set is prominently displayed on your resume and be sure to highlight school and extra curricula activities to demonstrate volunteer experience.

The first step to getting you working is to develop or strengthen a skill set in your chosen field. These skills can be developed with online type certifications or more formalized training. Unless you have grants or scholarships the formalized training may not be practical at this time. There are still many places you can develop skills at no cost. Online tests and skill mastering tutorials are a good place as well as, many local libraries and job resource centers provide computer type classes that are free or a nominal charge. You can find YouTube tutorials on just about anything these days. Register with some of the freelance type sites such as O’Desk. They have skill tests that you can take, and as you build your skills you can apply or bid for their freelance positions. Yes, I know the salaries are very low, but you need experience right? So give it a try. As you gain experience the better paying offers will come in.

Internships or volunteering are another great way to gather experience and many organizations will provide a letter of reference or even course credit. Check with your local nonprofit organization and visit here for online opportunities http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do Once again, I understand the goal is to earn money, but why not help out while you gain experience. I know quite a few interns who have received permanent offers from the company they volunteered with. Best wishes to you. March 10, 2011

TK emailed asking “why do so many wah jobs have onsite training? Don’t companies realize we want or need to be home? It’s very frustrating.”

Demi replies: This is a great question TK. I agree that it is highly frustrating when you are out of work, and all jobs seem to expect you to spend 6 weeks at their location. Even in 2011, I believe many companies are still reluctant to enter into telecommuting roles with employees. They feel they have no means to train, monitor or even evaluate these employees. This is why outsourcing companies, such as West, Alpine, and many others are so popular. They assure the organization that the staff representing that company will be trained, monitored and provide quality performance. Onsite training is a good compromise. Virtual communication, training and evaluation are all different. When you work for an outsource company you are 1 of perhaps a 1000 employees. You are a number and in turn you are evaluated strictly by comparing performance metrics against those 1000 other employees. In essence there is zero flexibility. Onsite training allows both you and the employer time to get to know each other. You get a feel for the company practices better than you would in a virtual classroom, and in turn the company gets to know you, TK, as an individual. It’s not always a bad thing.

With respect to location specific jobs, companies that hire employees, not independent contractors must abide by State laws, and their insurance company’s regulations. If the organization’s insurance does not cover a particular state, they can’t hire in it. Additionally, factors such as their communication software or calling network may not be supported in your state.
I definitely recommend considering onsite training whenever possible. If you are disabled and cannot do so, let the company know, and ask if they would consider virtual training. There’s no guarantee, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If its transportation, child or other family care that prevents you from leaving home, don’t ask for accommodations then. See if you can make alternative arrangements to permit you to train onsite. Many of the jobs that have onsite training turn out to be great employers, offering better pay, more advancement opportunities and/or benefits, so it will have been a worthwhile investment. Best wishes to you. 21 Feb 2011

Anonymous said...

I've been looking for a job for over 2 months with no responses. Can you offer any help or ideas? My experience is owning a daycare and substitute teaching. February 9, 2011 10:19 AM

Demi said...
I understand that when you're out of work two months is an eternity. These days in job hunting, be it virtual or the B&M world, it is not that long. If you started applying before the holidays, companies may be just reviewing applicants now, so try to be patient. In the meantime review my tips for beefing up your resume. Be sure to demonstrate you have the relevant skill set for what you're applying for. If you're a certified teacher, consider tutoring or online teaching, until you find your dream job. Keep applying. Best wishes. February 9, 2011 10:25 AM

bestmommy said...
Should I pay for a credit and background check? February 7, 2011 8:04 AM

Demi said...
This can be the notable exception to paying to obtain a job. When I worked with Alpine Access, they did not charge for background/credit checks. I worked recruiting, and found time after time that applicants would say, “oh yes, I have a clean record”, and unfortunately we would find out differently. This is why the company made the decision to have applicants themselves pay for the background checks. If your record is clean, you feel the job is a good fit and you have verified the legitimacy of the company, then I would consider it. It’s a personal and financial decision. If you are not sure if your credit will pass, be honest with your recruiter. They can advise you what is and is not permitted. Best wishes. February 7, 2011 8:16 AM
Jason said...
Great tips and job leads here, any suggestions for a teacher looking for supplemental work? I'm really not interested in tutoring, want something different. Thanks in advance. February 4, 2011 8:59 PM

Demi said...
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your kind words. Your teaching background provides a wide range of wah opportunities. Most companies simply want good skills and relevant experience. Some suggestions would be editing, writing, sales, customer service or even some of the tech jobs. See my recommendations on building your resume under the “Tips” section. Be sure to incorporate relevant aptitudes you’ve obtained while teaching into this skill set. For example most teachers I know, have excellent customer service skills from dealing with parents and children. They have solid writing, math and/or computer expertise. These are all transferable talents that can be relevant to many work at home jobs. Good luck and best wishes to you.
February 4, 2011 9:04 PM

Anonymous said...
How can I find a data entry job? February 3, 2011 6:23 PM

Demi said...
Data Entry jobs are the hardest to find and in the most demand. In today’s high tech world of scanners, voice recognition software, and cross functional software, pure data entry is becoming obsolete. Not completely yet, but certainly hard to find. This job is also the one most targeted by the scam artists. Most data entry type jobs require other skills as well. The jobs do come up, I’ve posted several this week, but you have to jump on them fast and be prepared for low wages and sometimes very short term projects.
Consider alternative non-phone type jobs such as writing, editing, transcription (does require equipment purchase), forum moderating, product or web site reviews, or for the Internet savvy, labeling editors, search engine evaluator or ads quality raters. These jobs offer better pay and can be long term to even permanent.

Look through the job leads, apply to the data entry when you see them, but consider a backup plan. Visit my favorite WAH forums for more specific details on the alternative non-phone jobs mentioned above. You can ask questions there or follow up here. Best wishes. February 3, 2011 6:45 PM