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BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting
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Subject: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 01 Nov 99 - 05:30 PM Have been looking through the vast array of job search sites on the Net for something more steady than freelance writing & jewellry-making, and was just wondering of any of you have ever found a job off the Net, and if so, how would you rate it? Also, do any of you telecommute? How has that worked out for you? Thanks, Kat,anybodyknowanyeditors?:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JedMarum Date: 01 Nov 99 - 05:44 PM kat - I see lots of Email ads for 'make a fortune at home on the web' sorts of jobs. I trash them all without reading, so I don't know if any of them are worthwhile (I'm dubious). You might look into them. Also, check out; the Monsterboard and Jobs.com. I suspect you could find some work at home opportunities there. I am working with a start up right now that will require a small, expert workforce all across the US to manage info on local community organizations and businesses. I am pushing for a team of 'stay at home' telecommuters. I doubt this will happen soon, (assuming my idea wins) but it may be the kind of thing you are looking for. Still, if my client is seriously considering this option, I am sure there are many already doing it. Now the trick for you is; who are they? Good luck ... and maybe those job site links will help you ... if not; there are plenty more web based job sites. Start at Yahoo career opportunities. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JedMarum Date: 01 Nov 99 - 05:47 PM ... by the way, I am presuming you will also find webbased editing opportunities listed ... that may have a telecommuting option. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 01 Nov 99 - 06:35 PM Thanks, liam. I have several job search engines bookmarked and check them every so often. It gets a little tiresome to wade through so many, so I've found a couple that are specifically for just telecommuting. What you describe sounds very interesting, and, yes, a lot liek what I might be interested in. Do any of you have know anyone who is a guide for the MiningCo.com? Apparently you choose a topic to be the guide for and maintain a site there with chat,forum, links etc. and get paid a percentage of their take. I've just asked for more info in the multiculturalsim listing. They may have already found someone. What I'd really like is somehting part-time as an Internet researcher, seems right up my alley. Thanks, again, liam. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JedMarum Date: 01 Nov 99 - 06:38 PM I don't know know anything about Mining.com, but I am working with a group of professionals who are researching manyof these types of businesses. I'll see if I can get any info on them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JedMarum Date: 01 Nov 99 - 06:40 PM I just did a quick look at this site, and this appears to be just the kind of site our people are studying. I'll bet I can find something out about them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 01 Nov 99 - 06:41 PM Thanks! Liam, I really appreciate it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 01 Nov 99 - 07:07 PM I, too, am thinking about telecommuting. I plan to retire to a relatively isolated area and if I can develop a telecommuting job, it would be ideal. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 01 Nov 99 - 07:12 PM My thoughts exactly, Roger, plus it would work out well for me physically. Right now, eher in casper, it wouldn't be cost effective for me to work out everyday, the O2 would cost too much compared to the depressed wages, plus I wouldn't have any energy left for anything else. Secluded sounds good! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 01 Nov 99 - 10:28 PM Hello Kat, I'm a lurker here at the Mudcat and noticed your post. I may have lots of info for you that can save you some time. Just tell me how to send it to you. Or I guess I could post the links here for everybody...whatever...but it may take some time to get it all together. In short, I was downsized twice in 1993, (and received some very good outplacement counseling), then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994. I've searched for telecommuting jobs since then and have learned a lot about what not to do! I'm fortunate in that I can work in my husband's business, but I'm getting bored and would like to do my own thing. When you said "internet researcher" it sounded exactly like what I initially looked for. I used to work as a teacher and a chemist and since I'm computer savvy, I thought I would be a tremendous asset to anyone needing rigorous research. After applying to approximately 200 positions advertised in job data bases (Monster Board, CareerPath, America's Job Bank), various company web sites, etc.) all I got was lots of spam and phone calls requesting that I work for "adult web sites." Beware of the scam. Some of the best advice I received was from a professor at a college in Texas who said that it would probably take longer to find a telecommuting job than for a traditional job. It's best to continue what you are currently doing for your current employer. There are a few sites which cater to telecommuting, but they are few and far between. Most telecommuting jobs are in the computer field and require several years experience. Next best is writing, editing, proofreading, etc., but once again, most employers want to see several years experience. There are several sites for freelancers if you're interested. As far as The Mining Company... do you mean About.com? I think they changed their name last summer. Anyway, our local paper just today listed several other sites like them and said this was probably the future of the web. Alta Vista even has a link to them at the bottom of each search results page. But then, I just noticed today that Alta Vista is now trying to be a search engine and a portal. Some of the best "outplacement advice" I received was, "Ask for what you need." So let me know what you need, and I'll try to get it all together. Mostly I have links to good job data bases, job hunting guides, telecommuting jobs and home based business links. Now I just need to practice the blue clicky thingie Mary |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Escamillo Date: 02 Nov 99 - 01:07 AM Beware of CaledonianOffShore ! They are a recruiting agent for offshore platforms, advertising marvelous salaries and conditions (two weeks labor for three weeks vacation, paid air ticket to home, etc.). I know that the great majority of you will not be interested, but your kids (like mine) may be caught. The company turned to be a scam, asking for $ 90.- for "documentation" and not guaranteeing any result. They give an address in Ontario but they are established in Liberia ! Yours, Andrés Magré |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 02 Nov 99 - 01:41 AM Whew! Thanks Escamillo! And, thanks a bunch, Mary! I will send you my email addy and then, more by email. I really apprecaite your offer. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 02 Nov 99 - 01:46 AM Hi, again, Mary. I guess you are not registered as a member yet? I went to send you my addy by personal message and couldn't find a listing for you. As I don't like to publicise my addy, would you please click on personal pages (at the top) and click on send a message, then choose katlaughing, then go, and then you can post me your email addy there, where it will be private? Thanks a bunch; if this is too much hassle, don't worry about it. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JedMarum Date: 02 Nov 99 - 08:35 AM I have found out that MiningCo.com (and Mary is correct, it is now called About.com, though MiningCo.com still gets you thre) is indeed one of the operations my team has reviewed. It is a site offering an attractive service, and has been rated as a viable and legtimate business by the researchers at my location. It seem the service they offer will one day be computerized through AI and rules based comuter programming (maybe). I don't know any more (yet) but it looks like they'd be a good place for you to investigate. If the other 'potal' business want to emulate About.com (and they do), they must be doing something right. I have a few more people to talk to and may have more info for you later today. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 02 Nov 99 - 08:38 AM Thanks, Liam. When I went to their site, yesterday, it still said the mining co, too, in fact the plug was to become a "Mining Guide". I really, really appreciate your doing this. Thank you so much, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 02 Nov 99 - 08:40 AM Hi Kat, Seems like we're both a bit paranoid about our addresses. When I went to personal pages, I couldn't enter because I'm not a member. I don't mind being a member if I can hide my e-mail address from robots, but I've had some very obnoxious spam and am reluctant to post that address. Early in my job search I posted my resume (with too much personal info) on what I thought was an obscure, specific site. Well, they did a good job with search engines, and I'm too easy too find using certain keywords. After 5 letters, they still won't take it down or even respond to me. My advice (if you put a resume on the Net) is to omit all personal info and use a key or number only for identification. I saw once where an e-mail address was listed as somebody$somewhere.com (and people were instructed to substitute an @ sign for the $ sign. Here are a few sites to get you started. I have to be out of town today so will finish tonight. America's Job Bank --try keyword search...note that the keywords refer to job titles, so it helps to know what you want to be when you grow up. This site has changed a lot recently. It now seems to reflect the "tunnel vision" bias of most human resources personnel. CareerPath --There are good newspaper ads here. (But remember that few jobs are landed from newspaper ads.) It's best to have exactly the qualifications they list and to be in the same geographic location. Gil Gordon Associates --lots of links and info here. The Riley Guide --learn how to write an e-mail resume. Home Based Working Moms --good advice on avoiding scams. ...more later. Mary
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Alice Date: 02 Nov 99 - 11:18 AM Hi, kat, I have done freelance illustration/graphics from my home office since 1991. I was able to do that because I had worked in the imprinted sportswear industry for a long time, and I had a good reputation for being an artist who creates good selling designs. My work comes mostly from referrals from sales reps with whom I had worked in the past. My main source of income now is a Denver based company, but I have done work for Canadian companies, and printers in many different states. I communicate with the Denver company mostly by phone, since the owner in Denver is "email phobic". But, I do transfer files to them over the internet, and I send email attachment proofs as I develop a design.
I have had a few people contact me for art because they found me on the internet at my website. None of those contacts really translated into steady work or money. I really believe that you have to call people and set up your relationship by phone, and then rely on email and the internet to follow up in sending files back and forth, etc. I recently had my first music oriented contact, from a music publisher. I helped them out for free, calling and talking to the publisher on the phone, which has led to their desire to collaborate in the future on music, and also keep me in mind for illustrating sheet music covers. They found me through an internet search.
I am sure you have lots of former colleagues and friends who would refer you for editing, etc. if you just go down that list and call everyone, letting them know that you want to telecommute in your field. Because I make a fraction of what I used to as an executive employee, I now have to supplement my design income with anything else I have time for. I recently found a site that will pay for viewing banner ads, so they can provide advertisers data on how effective their ads are. The company is just setting up. You pay nothing and you sell nothing, so it's not like you would be 'out' anything to try it. I don't know if you would be interested in that, since it would just be an amount to supplement income, not enough to live on. If you are interested, there is a link to sign up for it on my clip art page. The program is called ePipo, and the link that uses me as a referral is part-way down this page --> paid to surf the web
I really think the best way is to set up an arrangement with former employers and then communicate with them by email with your work. Alice Flynn |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Vixen Date: 02 Nov 99 - 12:10 PM How very timely--I am seeking other work at the moment. Please keep those links coming! I've applied online to about 40 jobs I've found on the various employment engines, and received only one response, saying no thank you. 39 places failed to respond at all. Highly unsatisfactory. And I'm not looking for telecommuting, though I'd like it. I am beginning to believe that the corporations post jobs on the web so they can say the advertised nationally, but they actually don't even look at the resumes they receive from the postings. V |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 02 Nov 99 - 02:30 PM Bucket! I just lost the whole message I'd just typed in! Rats! That'll teach me to copy first! Thanks, Mary and THANKS, Alice. I will look over all of the links later today. Alice, that one sounds very interesting; supplemental would be great, as long as it is steady! For Vixen and anyone else who is interested and so that we don't duplicate one another, here are a few of the sites I check fairly often. Since I am interested in strictly telecommuting, I've listed a couple of those, but the rest all feature regular positions. How to find a telecommuting job by a mom who wnatd to work at home. She peddles her book, BUT she also has free, updated ads you can read, that she has culled from the Net as legitimate. Telecommuting jobs lists good job, but doesn't seem to get updated often and ads are not dated. This one literally has over 1,258,000 jobs listed and has fantastic search specifics, Job Factory I have a couple of others, I will have to do later. Have been trying to narrow it down and sometimes it seems a bit tedious. The Mining Co, did get back to me today, so I am going to apply and see what happens witht hat. Will let you know. Liam says they check out and are spoken of positively. You Mudders Are the BEST! Thank you so much. Job searching at home, alone, can get tiresome and lonesome. Thanks for sharing it with me! kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 02 Nov 99 - 06:23 PM Hi Kat, Here are some more job sites. It seems that you have already found How To Find a Telecommuting Job and Telecommuting Jobs. To you and Vixen--don't get beat up sending resumes. The best way to find a job is to "network." But you do need to cover all the bases, and you never know when or where something will turn up. The Riley Guide --my blue clicky thingie didn't work in the earlier post. Telecommuting at About.com --yes, About.com even has a site for telecommuting. Telecommuter's Digest --whew! the price has gone up to $25 for 6 months. You can go to their site map and find a sample listing of jobs to see if it's worth it. It may be coincidence, but I got an obnoxious phone call 24 hours after I registered at this site. Career and Job Search Links from UK --that's the University of Kentucky not the UK across the pond. Seriously, I found that many colleges and universities have excellent sites which only present the best and most useful job hunting links. When using many of these databases, it helps to know ahead of time the keywords to use. I've found that general words like read, write and research usually yield more hits than specific words. And Liam--if you're listening--here are some expert advice sites. InfoRocket.com --I think I just got page jacked again! Good Luck All. Let me know how your search turns out. Mary
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 02 Nov 99 - 06:38 PM Oops! Try again. Mary |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Vixen Date: 03 Nov 99 - 08:54 AM Wow-- Thanks for all the links. I had a couple of them, but there are several that are new to me, and better than where I'd been looking. V |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 03 Nov 99 - 10:16 AM That's fantastic, Mary! WOW! Thanks a lot. There is so much. It will take me a few days to get through them all. Just the About.com had so many links. I have an okay from them, already, to submit an application to be a "mining guide" for multiculturalism, as it hasn't been filled yet. I'll let you know what happens. Thank you everyone very much. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: JTT Date: 03 Nov 99 - 05:32 PM Wired story: haven't read it yet myself: Make Money! Work from Home! (Business 3:00 a.m.) http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,32215,00.html?tw=wn19991103 At least one new Web service is matching up employers on one side of the world with freelancers on the other (and points in between). All the work is done online, often in pajamas. By Debbi Gardiner. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Susan-Marie Date: 04 Nov 99 - 01:50 PM On telecommuting - I'm lucky enough to work for a US govt agency that allows working from home as long as you are NOT trying to take care of kids at the same time. One of the most common misconceptions about telecommuting is that it's for moms who are trying to fit work in between watching the kids. My kid goes to daycare, I stay home and save myself a horrendous commute to work. I do go in once or twice a week, because some face time is important. I work in natural resource conservation policy, so it's not just for people with computer jobs. A few things I've learned and would pass along to other would-be telecommuters: 1) a computer desk and chair that work for short periods of on-line chatting won't necessarily work for an entire day - you may need to upgrade your chair and other furniture. 2) a connection to your office LAN is essential - I tried carrying files back and forth on disks but it was really hard keeping track of files. Now we use a program called Citrix that lets me log onto our LAN from home and it's much better. 3) a headset for your phone will save you neck strain (you'll be spending more time on the phone) and a separate phone line for work will help keep home life and work life separate. 4) sending your boss e-mails in the AM is a good way to remind him/her you exist and that you are working. Good luck, kat. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 04 Nov 99 - 02:00 PM Thanks Susan-Marie. All good points. Kids are all grown up and gone, unless they count cats! I have always worked from home, so do have a great desk, chair, dedicated phone line, etc. and do spend most of the day at the computer, so.....just would like to make more money doing it! JTT, thanks for the link, I will go look at it. Thanks a bunch. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: johntm Date: 04 Nov 99 - 03:51 PM Odd that this thread should show up today. I have been "telecommuting" or working at home as researcher/writer in technology for over a year, after a cut back at my paper. Started out free lancing for that paper, and then added several others. Thought I would go crazy with cabin fever, but it began to be comfortable after a month or so. I took a long term contract (longer than I expected) for one service company that has matched my old salary. Cabin fever still hits. At any rate, someone who used to work at that service company called to ask if I would be interested in doing work for a start up writing position papers. I said sure and checked with a friend who does this stuff. He outlined how to set the deal, what to charge, and then told me I could double my pay working full time at home, and that he and I could swap out assignments if we wanted. He has been doing this for several years, quite successfully so this is not a come on. The point of all this is just that for all the searching we do through agencies, web sites, etc, the contacts with people you know are still the best source. Hope that does not sound too obvious. Mary they were great tips on sites.
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:24 PM That's fantastic, John. Unfortunately, I should have mentioned this after Alice's post, other than a very few contacts at papers and the like, I have not really been out in the work world much in the past 6 years; that and the people I do know in this town, are more into on site job openings. I don't think there are too many who would have solid info about telecommuting. And, since I really started consistently writing for pay just a little over 6 years ago, it has been sporadic (my own fault and physical limitations); haven't really built up many contacts that I believe would be that helpful in the field. I hope I don't sound like a pessimist; I think I am just being realistic about who I know or don't. **BG** Thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Bert Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:31 PM Kat. you say ... and do spend most of the day at the computer,... WE KNOW!!! Bert ;-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: johntm Date: 04 Nov 99 - 04:37 PM Kat What do you write about? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 11 Nov 99 - 07:14 PM Yes, Bert, I know big brother is watching me at the Cat, right?:-) Sorry, John, I lost track of this thread for a few days. I've done a lot of articles on many subjects, including health, music, features on prominent persons, and a bunch of other things, as well as fiction and poetry, and promotional pieces. I also write an op/ed column for Wyoming's only state-wide paper, once per month, plus I contribute my column, A Mind-Full Spoken©, on a regular basis to the Liberal Opinion Week at www.liberalopinion.com, the articles are not on line, though. Occassionally it gets published in a few other papers, too. Used to do freelance feature articles on acts which came to town, even got to interview the Moody Blues, INXS, and the Persuasions, among others. Lot of fun. People who read my column, tell me I have my own voice, which pleases me. One of the best compliments I ever received was from an org. of refugee Afghani women in Pakistan. I'd written an article, recently, about the Taliban and oppression/murder of women and their supporters over there. One of them wrote back and said it was one of the best they'd ever read, that it was written "as though by a senstive Afghan". Made me feel kind of humble and gave my heart a glow. I went hunting for this thread, today, to report on about.com aka the Mining Co. I was invited to submit an application to be a Mining Guide on Multiculturalism, which is right up my alley. To apply, one has to download their template and actually create sample web pages, using html. Had to include a lot of links and do a good bit of research, which I love to do! Anyway, I worked hard on it and had something shaping up that I thought was really great, even mentioned the Mudcat. Today, I received an email from them that the category "has recently been removed from their taxonomy". They were very sorry, would I please peruse the others listed for something else I might be interested in? Pooh! I was really excited about this and am really disappointed now! I didn't see anything that was very interesting or that I would feel that competent in, so wrote back, thanked them, asked if they just dumped that category, reminded them of what a hot topic it is and asked would they consider reading my ap. anyway. Didn't beg, just was up front and honest. My old sales manager always told us a client hadn't actually said no until they kicked us out the door. So, I guess it's back to the search....rats! Thanks, everyone. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: johntm Date: 11 Nov 99 - 08:00 PM Kat If you want, a friend of mine writes about medical issues, and her husband is in charge of several medical books. Between them they probably know almost everybody in this country in journalism--she certainly seems to talk to everyone. You would have great fun yakking with her. She can talk a blue streak (sp?) He is the opposite but friendly. (Mick and Wasp) Send me an email at jtmulque@atgnet.com and I'll send her name and phone number and his email and phone |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: katlaughing Date: 11 Nov 99 - 09:20 PM Thanks so much, Johntm. I just sent you email. I really do appreciate it. This really bothered me more than I realised. It would've meant an article a week on a relevant topic of my own choosing. Oh, well, thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: _gargoyle Date: 12 Nov 99 - 12:58 AM You can NEVER leave your job at the work site....when you go home for the evening
It is ALWAYS with you....
It is just the kind of "hell" some people enjoy. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Finding a job on the Net & telecommuting From: Date: 12 Nov 99 - 01:53 AM it helps if you can type FAST - |