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Focus on Working from Home

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JobMonkey.com
Volume VIII, Issue #29
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Welcome to the JobMonkey Newsletter. If you have always dreamed of being your own boss, then this edition of the JobMonkey newsletter is definitely for you! While telecommuting from your home-based office is a growing phenomenon in the work place, most people who work at home are self-employed. These dedicated freelancers may spend as much time marketing themselves to new clients as they do actually completing paid assignments. That's why working from home isn't for everyone; to succeed as a home-based worker, you will need plenty of commitment, dedication and internal motivation. Of course, there are plenty of benefits of working from home, too, like being able to set your own flexible work schedule -- a big perk for moms and dads who want more time with their young kids. Intrigued?

Learn more about jobs you can do from home in our spotlight article.

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1) Career Advisor: Impressing Temp Firms
2) Spotlight: Jobs You Can Do From Home
3) Around the Monkey: Work From Home Scams and Success Stories
4) JobMonkey Job Center: Mystery Shopping Job Board

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CAREER ADVISOR: Impressing Temp Firms
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by Amy Lindgren

Everyone works for a temporary firm at least once in their career. At least, that's how it seems these days, with permanent jobs looking scarcer. When employers can't commit to a staff position, they turn to short-term workers to relieve the pressure on a building workload. That makes temporary jobs more plentiful than regular positions, and creates a vortex that seems to suck in all the folks who never thought they'd be toting a travel mug from job to job.

If you're new to this game, you'll want some tips for impressing your recruiter at the temporary firm. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting passed over for assignments.

Tip 1. Build a big resume. Unlike other employers, temporary recruiters do need to know everything about you. They especially need to know all the software you can use, all the projects you've managed and all the equipment you've run. They use this information to match you to open positions, so don't hold back.

Tip 2. Stay trained. Throughout your temp career, you should take at least one training class every month. Webinars count, as do short seminars and online software tutorials. The point is to constantly add to your skills and knowledge, and give them more to match.

Tip 3. Be professional. Your recruiter wants to know you'll represent the temp firm well on every assignment. If you demonstrate a good attitude in your dealings with the agency, they'll feel more confident promoting you to their clients.

If you haven't tried it before, you might find that you actually enjoy temping. Keep impressing your recruiters, and at least you'll have the chance to find out.

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SPOTLIGHT: Jobs You Can Do From Home
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A number of home-based workers are telecommuting from their traditional 9-5 job. From accountants to therapists, there are a host of jobs that lend themselves to working at home -- at least for a few days of the week.

If you want to be at home full-time, however, you might need to consider becoming a bit more entrepreneurial. And thanks to the Internet, there is no shortage of opportunities. Here's a look at four of the most popular jobs you can do at home, with links to plenty more information on each career track.

eBay Businesses
Running a business through eBay -- or for crafters, via etsy -- is one of the most popular ways to operate a home-based store entirely off the web. While you don't have to use one of these two platforms to open a mercantile operation, they are a great way to facilitate an easy, reputable on-line store.

From office supplies to children's clothing, many people choose to specialize in one product niche. You will need the capital (and storage space) to invest in some stock, plus a well-organized system for shipping purchases. Or you can start with what you already have on hand, selling your own gently used items. Some eBay sellers even make a living by selling other people's castoffs!

Before hanging out your virtual shingle, it is important to conduct some good market research. Learn who your competitors are, investigate their pricing structure and make choices about your product range. Also learn as much as you can about effective online advertising.

Home Based Data Entry
Are you looking for a job you can fit in between your kids' naps or after bedtime? If you want a part-time job with relatively low set-up costs and almost no previous work experience required, home based data entry might be right up your alley.

You probably won't earn a six-figure salary, but data entry is a great way to make some great supplemental income while staying at home. With experience in accounting or transcribing, your earning potential is even greater. Be sure to list any relevant experience, as well as your computer skills, on your job application.

All you need to get started is a computer and a high-speed Internet connection. For as many as forty or as few as four hours a week, data entry workers input data from different documents into data entry computer programs. The work is not difficult, but it can be tedious. And beware: This type of work from home job is particularly rife with potential scams.

Freelance Writing Jobs
Thanks to enewsletters, blogs, and the proliferation of content-based websites, the number of jobs for freelance writers has swelled in recent years. Of course, there is a downside to this upswing -- namely, the dropping of pay rates. So-called content mills, where companies advertise online for experienced writers, often pay no more than $5 per 500-word article.

Conversely, top writers are earning handsome salaries -- some even pull in six-figures. To learn more about how to break into the industry and what type of writing assignments are available, read up on freelance writing jobs at the JobMonkey.

Mystery Shopping
Have you ever spent your whole weekend running errands, wistfully thinking to yourself: "If only I could get paid for all this shopping, I would be rich?!" Well, believe it or not, you can be! It's called mystery shopping.

Mystery shopping is an increasingly common part of many companies' marketing plans. Shoppers help companies evaluate their products and, more importantly, their customer service and merchandizing.  Some mystery shoppers focus on retail, while others specialize in the tourism or dining industries.

JobMonkey can help you learn more about a career as a mystery shopper with articles on topics like companies that hire mystery shoppers, the mystery shopping process, and payscale for mystery shoppers.

If you want to learn more about working from home, be sure to stop by the JobMonkey's section on home-based jobs. Discover why people work from home, the pros and cons of working from home, types of work from home jobs, and time management tips for at-home workers.

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AROUND THE MONKEY: From Scams to Success Stories in Working at Home Careers
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The JobMonkey blog has posted extensively about work-from-home careers and opportunities. If you want to learn more about this increasingly popular employment option, here are some good places to start:

> Part-time Jobs for Full-time Moms
> Legitimate Work from Home Jobs
> Beware of Work at Home Scams
> Health Insurance for Freelancers
> Becoming a Freelance Writer
> Bloggers for Money
> Mystery Shopping Industry News

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JOB CENTER REPORT: New Opportunities Daily
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Have you visited the JobMonkey Job Center recently? It's a great place to start your home-based job search. Our comprehensive database of job openings is updated daily and completely free for job seekers.

If you want to learn more about mystery shopping, the JobMonkey recently launched a mystery shopping job board. Come check it out! You can easily search for current jobs in your area, as well as national market research positions.

 

 

 

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