Is there any legitimate work at home job?

Question

Is there any legitimate work at home job?

Answer 1

Good Morning America recommends:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/CareerManageme...

Tools, a computer, high speed Internet access, a land-line telephone to handle incoming calls, and a quiet work space are necessities. There are no exceptions to these four firm requirements.

If you meet those, then you can fill out an online application. Get started by visiting the sites of three leaders in the field:

Alpine Access (www.alpineaccess.com), VIPDesk (www.vipdesk.com), and Willow CSN (www.willowcsn.com).

Hiring is handled online and on the phone, which mirrors the type of work you're doing. Expect to be tested in typing, writing, language and computer skills. And some companies also require drug testing and background checks.

There's a sophisticated screening process to determine whether someone has the right personality and temperament to work as a home-based agent. During the interview, expect to provide anecdotes that speak to some of the key traits they're looking for.

You need to be a self-starter — motivated to work without a manager looking over your shoulder. Even though you're working at home, punctuality is a must.

They will be counting on you to log in at a specific time to cover the phones. You must be organized to keep track of your own schedule.

Related: Staying in Touch With Your Kids  

And you have to be entrepreneurial. This is a home-based business, and if you want to succeed, you really have to focus and go for it. Not everyone is cut out for this kind of work — you have to thrive on running your own show. If you work best as a member of a team, or in a more structured environment, this kind of home-based call center work probably isn't for you.

Business Opportunity or Employment?

Alpine Access is the only major virtual call center that hires home-based agents as employees.

Willow

CSN and VIPDesk, for example, require agents to incorporate as independent contractors.

The main difference is that contractors must handle all their own taxes.

Tens of thousands of agents do this with ease - it's like running your own home-based business, which makes that entrepreneurial sensibility even more important.

All three of the companies will allow you to decide the types of clients you'd like to service.

If you love flowers, maybe you'll be assigned to handle calls for a national florist.

If money matters are your cup of tea, then a financial institution could be your client.

So have an idea of what types of businesses you're interested in when you start the interviewing.

Potential Drawbacks.  

Loneliness and isolation must be considered before you enter into this kind of work.

If you thrive on the camaraderie of the workplace and you don't like to work independently, then this isn't right for you.

Alpine Access, Willow CSN and VIPDesk are well aware of this potential problem.

To help agents overcome the isolation, they work diligently to create a strong sense of community through regional events, conference calls, contests and mentoring relationships.

Answer 2

I know a lot about this topic, I have a lot of good info for you.  Many people are looking for work from home companies. All the scams definitely create a big problem but also, there is a problem of people misunderstanding the difference between work from home "jobs" and work from home opportunities.  There really are not work from home “jobs”.  To get that you have to start working for a company in their offices first, then they MAY allow you to take the job home.

Most of the work from home opportunities that are legitimate offers are not an hourly pay type job. They are business opportunities that help you in starting your own business from your home.

What you should do first is to decide if you are simply looking for an hourly rate type job or if you are looking for more of an opportunity for additional income such as what you would make in your own business being your own boss from home. Many say a JOB stands for Just Over Broker and I have found that to be true as well.  I never got anywhere working for others.  

Small home businesses have some small costs involved, less then $100 to start is reasonable and I would stay away from those wanting $300, $500 even some asking for $1000.  It doesn’t cost that much to start and run a home business so you shouldn’t pay it.  The real ones will have a small monthly overhead as well.  Should be around $50 a month but no more then $75.  And everything should be included from your web sites to training and team support to back office accounting and booking.  It’s ok to pay this overhead because it’s a business, they cost money.   It’s not reasonable to assume you can run a business from home with a website and more for free so do keep that in mind as you search.

If you are coming across places that say free then I would RUN don’t walk the other way!  They never are.  I tried them many a times and 3 weeks later I had to buy this and 6 weeks later that.  After 6 months these “free businesses” had cost me over $800 on average.

I’m a stay at home mom of two little girls a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I work about 15-18 hours per week for a National Medical Benefits Company.  This is a home business, a nationally known and reputable home business which is what you need to make sure you are looking for.  I have been with the company almost a year now and I make over $2000 a month!  In your first month, depending on how many hours you can work I have seen people make anywhere from $300 to over $2000.  And your income will increase each month because we get paid residual income as well.  If I continue on as I am going at the end of the year I will be making $5000 a month. My friend Becky from South Carolina started 2 years before me and she is now making $95,000 a year with her home business.

The best part is they have 401(k), direct deposit and a benefits package. In addition, there are no products, no hard selling or pushing, no cold calling, no home parties and no telemarketing!  That was VERY important to me.

I absolutely love working with them and I can't believe I am making what I am making and in so few hours per week. The neat thing is there are other people on your team that you work with so you are never alone. You have great team support and you get to know the other people on your team pretty well.  The support is great but I have made wonderful friends as well. I think that’s important too, especially being at home!

I was a bit apprehensive at first because I know a lot of companies are not legit but this company is the number one National Medical Benefits Company in the US. They are a member of the US Chamber of Commerce, The Consumer Health Alliance and the National Association of Dental Plans which is very impressive. Also they were featured in “The New York Times”, “Wall Street Journal” “Time Magazine” and the “American Medical Review”. Even “60 Minutes” with Morley Safer did a big special on this home based business.

Even more then all this is they are accepted at over 100,000 retailers nation wide.  These are fortune 500 companies like Sears, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Wal-mart, Publix and more.  These companies would never work with a company that was any thing less then reputable.   That made me feel very good about working with them knowing they were accepted at these stores that I frequent.  Also now of course being with them I get the dental and vision benefits for free and I saved over $150 on my last visit to the dentist!   That’s just a beautiful perk!   : - )

When I first started I just felt very safe with them, that and my friend was already making so much money with Ameriplan.  But at this point I feel a sense of security financially that our family has never had before.  That plus LOVING what you do?  What could be better?  

Check them out! Just type in www.workathomeplus.net in your web browser.

-Amy

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