It’s funny how people will use the Internet to shop, pay bills and even fill prescriptions and not give it a second thought, but when I tell them that I found most of my freelance writing assignments on the Web, I usually get a blank stare. For some reason, many people find it totally incomprehensible that I can make a pretty decent living from job opportunities found while surfing the web.
The fact is there are countless job databases and sites dedicated to almost every career and specialty you can think of. The key is to know what type of work you are looking for and then spend some time narrowing down the sites you find to those that appear to be the most reputable. Be prepared to spend a good amount of time doing this; finding work on the Internet is not as simple as typing “work at home” in your search engine of choice (in fact if you do this, you are just setting yourself up for a barrage of so-called opportunities that are nothing more than scams).
Before you begin your search, spend some time deciding exactly what you want to do. Depending on your area of interest, there are countless sites available to help you make this decision. When you’ve narrowed your focus, search for job-related Web Sites in that specific area. Resist the urge to apply for positions for a few days; instead use the time to monitor the site’s activity. If there are any message boards related to the site, read through them to try to get a sense for the users’ satisfaction. You may also find online communities dedicated to your chosen field; join one or two of those and monitor the discussion – you may learn about some other valuable online resources. Once you feel comfortable that the job offered through the sites you visit are legitimate (we’ll discuss ways to do this in a future blog), then begin applying.
Remember, the competition for nearly every legitimate work-at-home position is fierce. As a result, it is important that you try as much as possible to stay one step ahead of the other applicants. One way to do this is to bookmark the Web sites you have chosen. Make it a point to check the sites several times each day and apply for opportunities that interest you as soon as you see them. If you wait even an hour to apply, there may be hundreds of people who apply before you which will greatly reduce your chance of being selected.