Here are the top 3 most common/popular part time and work from home jobs currently available:
Part Time
(1) Call Center Agents/Associates/Support - key requirements - good communication skills and computer skills. things to consider - willingness to work shifts, weekends, and holidays; there are companies that allow day shift hours and/or are mindful of ensuring employees don't work the graveyard shift for more than a couple of weeks (i.e., graveyard for two weeks, day shift for two weeks, graveyard again, etc.) - you may want to clarify the schedule requirements beforehand.
(2) Online English Teacher (ESL) - key requirements - good command of english language with accent; some are specific about hiring only females and/or applicants with degree in psychology/education or a LET passer. things to consider - most ads indicate a schedule that's late afternoon to evening and at times, weekends are required as well. I'm still researching this particular job offer. Comments/inputs most welcome!
(3) Academic Tutor (in a time where nursery students are expected to memorize Trees by Joyce Kilmer, tutors are very much in demand!) - key requirements - college graduate, excels in math, language, science, physics, or computer studies. things to consider - patience and good rapport with children is a must!
Work From Home
Most, if not all, work from home opportunities will require you to have a computer, high speed Internet, and telephone
(1) Data Encoder, Data Entry, Transcriptionist - key requirements - computer skills and typing speed of at least 40wpm (there are online typing tests available to guage this). things to consider - it's difficult to weed out the scams from actual job offers for these kinds of jobs; best to proceed with caution.
(2) Writing/Editing - key requirements - degree in marketing, advertising, or journalism or at least experience as a writer/editor. things to consider - SEO is in demand these days, you should look into this if you're not familiar with the term. If you are seriously considering tapping into the creative juices lurking within you and starting a writing career, you may want to try essays.ph.
(3) Start your own online business! - key requirements - think of a product, set up a website, and you're in business! things to consider - it's ridiculously easy to set up an online business in this day and age, but to actually come up with a viable product, market, and sell it ah, now there's a whole different ballgame!
Other work from home jobs available are outbound telemarketers and virtual assistants. Both will likely require you to own a headset.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Intricacies of Online Job Hunting
After securing a valid ID, I started my job hunt for suitable, legal part time or work from home jobs that would give me a much needed break and extra income, but would still leave most of my time free for my daughter.
The Internet is a good source for job openings. Some sites filter the part time from the full time jobs, making it easier to search for one that works for you in terms of location, requirements, schedule, and pay. Below are sites I frequently monitor for potential part time jobs:
http://www.jobopenings.ph/list_specific_jobs.php?by=parttime_jobs
http://job-search.jobstreet.com.ph/campus/philippines/job-opening.php?by=part-time-jobs
Of course, since nearly everyone and anyone can access the Internet these days, it's always worthwhile to do a bit of research before submitting vital information to a potential employer. Here are some things I look out for:
(1) Company/Employer - if you're not familiar with the company, search for more information first from blogs, news articles, friends, or family
(2) Job Description and Requirements - trust your instincts. An ad looking for someone who's female, no more than 25 years old, with pleasing looks and personality, and no other requirements or an ad - from a company that focuses on sales - with vague job requirements save for the promise of no selling required and high pay, but you absolutely must first attend a seminar to learn more about their products makes me think twice.
(3) Any job that requires you to pay a registration fee is likely a scam.
When in doubt, it also helps to search for "[job description / company name] scam". Chances are, someone will have blogged about the scam (if any) already.
When you do find a job you like and decide to submit your resume, make your intentions clear in your cover letter. I once submitted my resume as is and got no response. My family said they probably considered it a big joke that someone at near managerial level is trying to apply as a clerk/encoder/assistant/entry level position. True, I was overly qualified for the jobs I was applying for, but the part time and work from home aspect mattered more to me than a career path (at least for now). I resubmitted my resume with a letter explaining that I'm a stay at home mom looking for a part time job. This time, I got a positive response. :)
The Internet is a good source for job openings. Some sites filter the part time from the full time jobs, making it easier to search for one that works for you in terms of location, requirements, schedule, and pay. Below are sites I frequently monitor for potential part time jobs:
http://www.jobopenings.ph/list_specific_jobs.php?by=parttime_jobs
http://job-search.jobstreet.com.ph/campus/philippines/job-opening.php?by=part-time-jobs
Of course, since nearly everyone and anyone can access the Internet these days, it's always worthwhile to do a bit of research before submitting vital information to a potential employer. Here are some things I look out for:
(1) Company/Employer - if you're not familiar with the company, search for more information first from blogs, news articles, friends, or family
(2) Job Description and Requirements - trust your instincts. An ad looking for someone who's female, no more than 25 years old, with pleasing looks and personality, and no other requirements or an ad - from a company that focuses on sales - with vague job requirements save for the promise of no selling required and high pay, but you absolutely must first attend a seminar to learn more about their products makes me think twice.
(3) Any job that requires you to pay a registration fee is likely a scam.
When in doubt, it also helps to search for "[job description / company name] scam". Chances are, someone will have blogged about the scam (if any) already.
When you do find a job you like and decide to submit your resume, make your intentions clear in your cover letter. I once submitted my resume as is and got no response. My family said they probably considered it a big joke that someone at near managerial level is trying to apply as a clerk/encoder/assistant/entry level position. True, I was overly qualified for the jobs I was applying for, but the part time and work from home aspect mattered more to me than a career path (at least for now). I resubmitted my resume with a letter explaining that I'm a stay at home mom looking for a part time job. This time, I got a positive response. :)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Never bring home food from a wake
Among all the superstitions I've encountered being raised in the Philippines, there is one that I follow faithfully.
Never bring home food from a wake, unfinished or otherwise.
Here's why.
My father died when I was 7 months pregnant. During his wake, I was alternating between nibbling on food and greeting guests. At one point, I absent-mindedly stuffed a pack of half-eaten crackers in my pocket and promptly forgot about it.
As midnight came and all the visitors had left, we decided to close the room for the night and head home. A man wearing a white barong and trousers suddenly walked in. He claimed to know my father through business and was late in arriving because he came all the way from the province.
My father was retired for 10 years and to our knowledge, did not have any business dealings in the aforementioned province, but we shrugged it off and let the man in. He prayed over my father for a while, but as he turned to leave, he refused to sign the guestbook. Some superstition or other in his family, he claimed. Again, we let it go.
Still,we began to feel uneasy. My brother peeked out the door and only found an empty corridor. We started making half-hearted jokes (really, we were scared out of our wits) that our visitor may have been a spectre as we locked up and made our way home. In the car, I noticed the pack of crackers and a small bundle of string near my pocket. I brushed the string off and thought nothing further of it.
Back at home, we all went straight to bed. Sometime in the night, I felt something nudge my stomach. Fearful for the baby, I opened my eyes and saw a hand clutching my own, trying to drag me down and off the bed. It was a dark hand wrapped in rags. I screamed my husband's name repeatedly.
My husband woke me up then, panicky as I was apparently moaning and gurgling in my sleep. On my pillow, I saw that bit of string again and on my dresser, the crackers. I immediately threw the crackers in the garbage and flushed the string down the toilet.
To this day, I try to stay away from the edge of the bed. And I never, ever bring home food from a wake.
Never bring home food from a wake, unfinished or otherwise.
Here's why.
My father died when I was 7 months pregnant. During his wake, I was alternating between nibbling on food and greeting guests. At one point, I absent-mindedly stuffed a pack of half-eaten crackers in my pocket and promptly forgot about it.
As midnight came and all the visitors had left, we decided to close the room for the night and head home. A man wearing a white barong and trousers suddenly walked in. He claimed to know my father through business and was late in arriving because he came all the way from the province.
My father was retired for 10 years and to our knowledge, did not have any business dealings in the aforementioned province, but we shrugged it off and let the man in. He prayed over my father for a while, but as he turned to leave, he refused to sign the guestbook. Some superstition or other in his family, he claimed. Again, we let it go.
Still,we began to feel uneasy. My brother peeked out the door and only found an empty corridor. We started making half-hearted jokes (really, we were scared out of our wits) that our visitor may have been a spectre as we locked up and made our way home. In the car, I noticed the pack of crackers and a small bundle of string near my pocket. I brushed the string off and thought nothing further of it.
Back at home, we all went straight to bed. Sometime in the night, I felt something nudge my stomach. Fearful for the baby, I opened my eyes and saw a hand clutching my own, trying to drag me down and off the bed. It was a dark hand wrapped in rags. I screamed my husband's name repeatedly.
My husband woke me up then, panicky as I was apparently moaning and gurgling in my sleep. On my pillow, I saw that bit of string again and on my dresser, the crackers. I immediately threw the crackers in the garbage and flushed the string down the toilet.
To this day, I try to stay away from the edge of the bed. And I never, ever bring home food from a wake.
How to prevent curses, bati, or usog
Recently, my daughter went through 4 days of 40+ fever. Dengue tests were negative, CBC and urine tests were very much normal. Our pedia advised us to keep the fever down with ibuprofen and sponge baths and wait it out, expecting other symptoms to manifest after the 3rd day of fever.
As we'd visited our family in the province a day before the fever started, our family and friends had other suggestions, all centering around the idea that our baby may have been a victim of "usog" or "bati" (i.e., curse, often attributed to dwarves or possibly by an unsuspecting relative who was overly fond of the child).
Along with the speculations came preventive measures that I'd thought I'd share with believers and "better safe than sorry" parents:
(1) Pin a blessed (religious) medallion on the baby's clothes
(2) Rub luya on baby's stomach and soles of her feet, then pin the luya to her clothes
(3) Have relatives apply a bit of their saliva on the baby (usually by licking their thumbs and doing the sign of the cross)
(4) Boil the clothes the baby was wearing on the day of the trip. Some suggested having the baby take in 2 tablespoons of the resulting broth. This will only work if the clothes haven't gone through the laundry yet.
(5) Undergo cleansing via "tawas" (can only be done by professionals!)
Have you also considered that the baby may have pilay that can be remedied with a good massage (also only to be done by professionals)?
Do take these with a grain of salt! ;) I myself refused to give my baby the broth of her boiled clothes.
Incidentally, our pedia's initial diagnosis did follow through. Rashes broke out on the 4th day, afterwhich the fever subsided. She likely picked up a case of roseola infantum as she turned 2 years old.
Still, I thought this would be a good start to my series of blogs on supersitions and folklore. ;)
Happy Halloween, All!
As we'd visited our family in the province a day before the fever started, our family and friends had other suggestions, all centering around the idea that our baby may have been a victim of "usog" or "bati" (i.e., curse, often attributed to dwarves or possibly by an unsuspecting relative who was overly fond of the child).
Along with the speculations came preventive measures that I'd thought I'd share with believers and "better safe than sorry" parents:
(1) Pin a blessed (religious) medallion on the baby's clothes
(2) Rub luya on baby's stomach and soles of her feet, then pin the luya to her clothes
(3) Have relatives apply a bit of their saliva on the baby (usually by licking their thumbs and doing the sign of the cross)
(4) Boil the clothes the baby was wearing on the day of the trip. Some suggested having the baby take in 2 tablespoons of the resulting broth. This will only work if the clothes haven't gone through the laundry yet.
(5) Undergo cleansing via "tawas" (can only be done by professionals!)
Have you also considered that the baby may have pilay that can be remedied with a good massage (also only to be done by professionals)?
Do take these with a grain of salt! ;) I myself refused to give my baby the broth of her boiled clothes.
Incidentally, our pedia's initial diagnosis did follow through. Rashes broke out on the 4th day, afterwhich the fever subsided. She likely picked up a case of roseola infantum as she turned 2 years old.
Still, I thought this would be a good start to my series of blogs on supersitions and folklore. ;)
Happy Halloween, All!
First Step: How to Apply for Philippine Postal ID
After quitting my job, I found myself with no other valid ID other than my passport and credit cards, neither of which I'd be willing to leave with a guard whenever I attempt to visit a new location/building.
I figured the easiest ID to obtain would be a Postal ID. I tried searching online for the steps to get this done so I could prepare any and all requirements beforehand, but all I could find was an obvious "go to the post office".
For everyone else with the obsessive-compulsive need to be prepared before going into anything, here are the steps to get your Postal ID:
(1) Go to the postal office (make sure it's the postal office handling your current place of residence)
(2) Pick up an application form. If they only give you 1 copy, be sure to xerox another one. You need at least 2 for the succeeding steps.
(3) You will need a barangay clearance and community tax certificate (or cedula). Call your barangay office beforehand to know all necessary requirements (2x2 pictures, postal ID application forms, marriage contract, valid ID, copy of valid ID,etc.) to spare you another trip. Make sure you have enough money to pay the processing fee and your tax. I underestimated my tax and had to take a long, long walk to the nearest ATM machine.
(4) Submit the requirements to your barangay office. They will typically advise you to come back the next day to pick up the accomplished forms.
(5) Submit accomplished forms to postal office and pay the necessary fees.
(6) Pick up your postal ID. There is a short wait while they laminate the ID after you sign it.
(7) Voila! A valid government ID :)
* You can ask anyone to pick up postal ID application forms, but you have to be present at the barangay office and postal office for all succeeding steps.
I figured the easiest ID to obtain would be a Postal ID. I tried searching online for the steps to get this done so I could prepare any and all requirements beforehand, but all I could find was an obvious "go to the post office".
For everyone else with the obsessive-compulsive need to be prepared before going into anything, here are the steps to get your Postal ID:
(1) Go to the postal office (make sure it's the postal office handling your current place of residence)
(2) Pick up an application form. If they only give you 1 copy, be sure to xerox another one. You need at least 2 for the succeeding steps.
(3) You will need a barangay clearance and community tax certificate (or cedula). Call your barangay office beforehand to know all necessary requirements (2x2 pictures, postal ID application forms, marriage contract, valid ID, copy of valid ID,etc.) to spare you another trip. Make sure you have enough money to pay the processing fee and your tax. I underestimated my tax and had to take a long, long walk to the nearest ATM machine.
(4) Submit the requirements to your barangay office. They will typically advise you to come back the next day to pick up the accomplished forms.
(5) Submit accomplished forms to postal office and pay the necessary fees.
(6) Pick up your postal ID. There is a short wait while they laminate the ID after you sign it.
(7) Voila! A valid government ID :)
* You can ask anyone to pick up postal ID application forms, but you have to be present at the barangay office and postal office for all succeeding steps.
So it begins...
10 years ago I knew exactly what I wanted and where I was headed. I slaved through college and my first job. Overtime, holiday work, graveyard shifts, the works. Got promotion after promotion and was right on track...
2 months ago I gave it all up to be a bonafide SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). :)
I'm probably the most undomesticated mom ever. I can't cook, clean, or drive a car. But I do love my daughter and thus far, have not regretted being able to prioritize her at last. Still, after 2 months of adventures (or misadventures as it were) struggling to adjust to my new lifestyle, find a part time job, pick up some domestic skills, and raise my daughter; I've decided to chronicle my recent and future foibles.
Perhaps someday my family and I can look back and laugh about all this. Perhaps someone out there will actually learn from my experiences with scary interviews, filtering out scams, cleaning up my house, vacations with a toddler, helper horror stories, and so much more...
Enjoy the ride :) I plan to!
2 months ago I gave it all up to be a bonafide SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). :)
I'm probably the most undomesticated mom ever. I can't cook, clean, or drive a car. But I do love my daughter and thus far, have not regretted being able to prioritize her at last. Still, after 2 months of adventures (or misadventures as it were) struggling to adjust to my new lifestyle, find a part time job, pick up some domestic skills, and raise my daughter; I've decided to chronicle my recent and future foibles.
Perhaps someday my family and I can look back and laugh about all this. Perhaps someone out there will actually learn from my experiences with scary interviews, filtering out scams, cleaning up my house, vacations with a toddler, helper horror stories, and so much more...
Enjoy the ride :) I plan to!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)