Freelance Work Through oDesk

So after a few weeks of trying out odesk, here's what I have to say:

(1) It's not a scam. I earned money after doing a couple of jobs. Just around $20, but enough for me to know that it's real and the potential to earn more is there.

(2) It's said that it takes about 40-60 job applications before you can land a job. This is true too. Online freelancing work is not for the weak, fainthearted, or impatient. There are hundreds of thousands of other freelancers all over the world - likely more skilled and experienced than you - who are vying for the same jobs you are. Learn how to make great cover letters. Take odesk skills tests to showcare your competency. Build your portfolio. Above all, read through the tips and help articles that odesk has to offer. These will help a lot.

(3) Stock up on your preferred choice of caffeine.

(4) If you find it all a bit overwhelming, check out The Freelance Pinoy for freelancing tips, particularly for Filipinos using odesk.

(5) Good luck!

I have a lot on my plate right now, but should have more to share in a couple of weeks. Til then!

Work At Home Mothers - Dissecting Myth From Reality

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Is it possible to work at home and still earn more than your past day job? Absolutely! In this age of high speed Internet connectivity, mobile devices, and numerous networking sites, there is no reason you cannot work in the confines of your own personal space, in the comfort of hearth and home.

So then you start to wonder - why don't more people do it? Why don't I do it? It's the ultimate dream job - I get to be my own boss, work at my own time and pace, spend more time with the kids, and still earn enough to...

Stop right there. Yes, it is possible to work from home. Yes, so many people have successfully set up businesses in their own houses, sold products online, became true-blue "entrepreneurs" and earned a bundle. Yes, several more people are living solely on online jobs, making use of skills such as writing, editing, programming, transcribing, clerical/secreterial work, bookkeeping, etc...

...and they do so by exerting more time and effort than is required in a 8AM-5PM day job.

Most people have the misconception that working at home equates to a cushy job with less hours and more pay. However, you will soon find that attempting to get a job done within the prescribed deadline can be quite stressful and challenging amidst constant disruptions such as telephone calls, a baby that doesn't sleep, children screaming while you're in that all-important meeting, deliveries, pesky salesmen, laundry that won't wash themselves...and oh, is it time to prepare lunch already?

You may be your own boss, but without someone to push and drive you towards completing your deliverables, you will need an extreme sense of responsibility, resourcefulness, and diligence to do it on your own - after all, there's no one around to help you! You will then discover that toiling this close to the TV, PS3/XBOX, fridge, and that cute-as-a-button toddler who wants to play with you is a form of torture in itself. Eventually, you will realize that by the time you've completed your tasks for the day, you've put in the same amount of hours as you've done in an office - likely even more.

Trying to start your own business is even worse. If you want to earn enough to merit quitting your day job, you will spend most of your waking hours (and a good bit of the ones you normally use for sleeping) making and selling your product, and catering to discerning, pushy clients.

With the right frame of mind and a proper set of expectations, however, you can work from home and earn a good deal of money. Here are some of the many opportunities available for you:

(1) Find online jobs that suit your skills - The most popular of which are content/SEO writing, programming, virtual assistance, web design, and transcribing. The hardest thing about this would be filtering the scams and non-paying employers from the legitimate ones. Pinoy Home Worker provides tips, information, and sites to help get you started.

(2) Start an online business - While this may be the most rewarding of jobs, this is also the most grueling. There is no longer an "office" or "company" that handles all the little details of tax, inventory, bookkeeping and expenses - it's all in your hands now. The good news is that there are a lot of resources - both offline and online - to guide you on your path to entrepreneurship. If you're new to online selling, Multiply and Sulit are good places to start. Make the most of seminars and expos to gain more ideas, suppliers, clients, and contacts.

(3) Offer tutorial services - More and more working parents are turning to tutors to help their children cope with the current school system, which, in the recent years, has began the trend of bombarding students with tons of projects, assignments, fast-paced learning and foreign methods (Singapore math, anyone?). If you're already helping your child with his/her studies, you may want to consider adding 1-2 more kids to earn extra money. Who knows? This may be the beginning of your new career as a tutor/teacher.

(4) Bake/Cater - If you're handy in the kitchen, you'll be loved by moms who are not. Sell cakes and brownies  (these are very popular as party souvenirs) or make packed lunches or meals for moms who are too busy to cook (or just don't know how!).

(5) Write A Book - Seriously, if you have a great story to tell, write it. Gone are the days when you have to print several copies of your work, send it to a publisher via snail mail (with a SASE, of course) and wait several months for a rejection letter. There are a lot of online publications that pay well - and deal with you electronically. Duotrope's Digest is a good source for such publishers. The downside to this profession is that it make take years before you get your big break - unless your name is JK Rowling or Stephenie Meyer.

Jobs For Moms: Shady Interview

About a month ago, I decided to apply for a work from home  job that just required good computer and typing skills.  The company was not well-known, but as work from home jobs were scarce (and still are!), I decided to give it a go.  I submitted my resume and eventually got called in for an interview.

Since I had applied for the job online and was not familiar with my prospective employer, my mother cautioned me to bring some company during the actual interview.   I actually thought it unnecessary, but humored her anyway and had my husband tag along. 

On the day of the interview we followed the directions sent via email.  I was a bit disconcerted to find that the address was different from the one posted on the company website.  My husband and I found ourselves in a rundown building at the edge of the business district.  The guard had us sign in and told us to proceed up the stairs.  We walked through a deserted hallway, passing units that were either locked or empty.

When we got to the interview site, we found ourselves in a room filled with stacks of computers and ledgers.  The only other people in the room were two other interviewees (both female) and the company owner, who was conducting the interviews.  The owner claimed that the room was usually filled with employees and remarked that it was odd that he was the only one in that day.  While nothing untoward happened, I was grateful for my mother's advice and my husband's presence. 

Learning Points:

(1) Better to be safe than sorry.  If you're not familiar with the company and are called in for an interview, it would be best to have someone come along (even if only to drop you off after surveying the interview site).

(2) Sometimes, though we hate to admit it, mothers do know best. :)