Working At Home

An article in The Dallas Morning News in the May 29, 2011, issue, “Home-Based Agents in Demand” by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of Creators Syndicate on page on 1J discusses organizations that seek home-based call center agents.  The article suggests that such jobs typically pay between $ 9.00 and $ 20.00 per hour.  However, it is important to note many costs such as transportation and wardrobe are eliminated.  Some organizations offer medical and retirement benefits.

Cultural problems resulting from call centers located offshore such as India encouraged organizations to seek home-based callers who are US citizens. Here are some websites contained in article which may provide job seeks avenues for finding home-based employment:

1.    www.uloop.com

2.    www.cloud10corp.com

3.    www.arise.com

4.    www.vipdesk.com

5.     www.hirepoint.com/athome

I have check-out these sites today; however, since sites frequently change, they may not be active when you link to them.

Please share with readers of this blog if you are interested in working as a home-based caller and find these sites helpful as you seek employment. 

Thanks!

Glyn    

Survive and Thrive!

An article in The Dallas Morning News in the May 22, 2011, issue, “At Work Don’t Just Survive - Thrive” by ARAContent on page 1J provides suggestions how employees can keep their jobs in times when layouts are prevalent. This is no time to hide at work.  Quoting Eileen Habelow of Randstad Employment “Layoffs are forcing people to wear more hats and take on more responsibility. Because of this, many people forget about exploring new opportunities with their current organizations.”

Here are some of Habelow’s recommendations:

1.    Ask questions.  Be alert to what is going on within the organization and schedule time with your manager to discuss your situation.

2.     Increase your value. Improve your skills and assist others in improving theirs.

3.    Be social. Habelow suggests the employees be active in social media such as Linkedln, Twitter, and Facebook.  I personally think that one has to be very careful in spending too much time with these sites which can become addictive.

4.    Be innovative. Employees should welcome changes and also suggest ways to improved operations.  

Please share with readers of this blog how you are surviving at your job. 

Thanks!    Glyn    

Finding the Hiring Organization

I periodically serve as a job counselor at North Dallas Shared Ministries (www.ndsm.org).  Many of my clients seeking employment do not own computers, and some have no computer skills.  As I try to assist them, I find many job postings on such jobs sites as Monster.com, Craiglist.com, hotJobs.com, and Indeed.com. Unfortunately for the job seekers, they are required to post their resumes on line, and the hiring company is frequently not disclosed. 

Finding the hiring organization requires some detective work on my part.  Based on the information provided in the ad, I am often able to navigate to the hiring company’s web site where I can find telephone numbers and addresses.  It is up to the job seeker to contact the hiring company and request an interview.

Clients that post their resumes on job boards many times never receive any responses.  Rather than waiting for a reply that may or may not occur, I suggest a proactive approach.  An article in The Dallas Morning News in its May 15, 2011, issue, “Internet isn’t the Only Way to Finding a Job” by Amy Winters of Creators Syndicate, on page 1J quoting John A. Challenger who suggests that a job seeker visit company websites to obtain valuable contact information.  The job seeker should email the hiring person including specifics about his/her qualifications and experience.  Further, I think that it important to state that he/she is immediately available and ready to get to work!          .

Please share with readers of this blog your proactive, successful strategies for finding a job.

Thanks!    Glyn    

What Types of Jobs Should You Seek!

An article in The Dallas Morning News in its May 8, 2011, issue, “A Good Fit Is a Must” by Cheryl Butler on page 1J ask the question what are the hot jobs for the future.  I agree with Cheryl that this is the wrong question for job seekers to ask.  The right question is what are your strengths and interests so you can direct your search to focus on growth industries that need your capabilities.

Just because your interest and experience maybe in public relations, you do not have to restrict your search to PR firms.  Almost all organizations have need for individuals with public relations skills.  If your interests lie in accounting or administration, all growing organizations have need for such skills.

The article states that an individual will spend as much as 80,000 hours working over his/her life time.  That is too much time you are spending in doing something that is of only a minor interest.  Do the words bored, uninteresting, and it’s just a job come to mind.   I am thinking that if you find an opportunity that contains tasks which are your passion in life, you will do a great job and will be much more satisfied and happier than just doing a job that pays the rent.  You probably will find that promotions and more money also follow.

Please share with readers of this blog your suggestions for pursuing jobs in  growing markets.

Thanks!    Glyn    

Suggestions for A Home-Base Business

An article in The Dallas Morning News in its May 1, 2011, issue, “How to Wreck a Home-Based Business” by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of Creators Syndicate on page 1J provides the following advice on what to avoid when planning a home-based:

1.    Don’t forget about your family. You should not neglect your home chores and responsibilities such as running errands, car pools, garbage removal, food shopping.  Make sure that you have the agreement and support of your family before embarking on a home-based startup.

2.    If you have a website, maintain and update it frequently. Websites that are neglected can become stale. Provide information and images that will encourage individuals to frequent your site.

3.    Watch your expenditures!  It is fun to purchase new office and computing equipment, sign-on to expensive monthly Internet services, and develop expensive marketing materials. The larger your monthly expenses the longer it will take to develop a break-even or profitable business.

4.    Be aware of naysayers who may discourage your plans and induce guilt, regret, discouragement, cynicism, and disapproval.

 

5.    Focus your home-based business on something you care and know something about not the latest craze such as late night TV merchandise. You should make use of your own experience and interests.   

Please share your suggestions to readers of this blog for starting a home-based business.   My first home-based business was providing computer programmers on an hourly basis to medium-size organizations. I found the work challenging and somewhat profitable.  FYI: I did not hit a home run – perhaps a single.      

Thanks!    Glyn