Avoid the Scams
The number one thing to remember about scammers is that they want either your money, or your personal information. Never, ever pay a “fee” to begin working for a company. (Business opportunities do frequently require you to purchase a start-up kit, however I am referring to actual telecommuting jobs here.) No matter how great they make a job sound, do NOT pull out your credit card and send them money. It is a scam. Rarely, some legitimate companies might charge you for training, but more often they will deduct this from your first few paychecks. If you’re really not sure if a company is legitimate, ask around! Visit work at home message forums and ask about the company. Chances are people have heard of them, or can tell you whether it’s a genuiune job or not. Unfortunately, new scammers pop up every day, so even if you can’t find anything negative about them, proceed cautiously.
Likewise, if you are unsure whether a company is legitimate, do NOT give them your social security number, home address, or any banking information (for direct deposit). An employer will not need this information unless they are actually hiring you. I recommend people to leave those fields blank when applying for a job. If the employer likes your qualifications and wants to hire you (and you are absolutely certain they are legitimate) then you can supply that information. Real employers will understand your caution.
The best way to avoid scams is to listen to your gut. There are always warning signs. Even if everything seems on the up and up, and your gut is giving you a signal that something doesn’t seem right, LISTEN to that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “I had a bad feeling but I wanted it to be for real, so I took a chance.” Don’t do that. You have a great built-in warning system. We all do. It’s called Intuition. Use it. Outsmart the scammers.
Professionalism, Patience and Persistence
Finally, remember that work at home positions have a tremendous amount of demand. Thousands and thousands of people are applying for the very same positions that you are. Make sure your resume is in top form and clearly details your experience and qualifications for the job you are applying for. Consider investing in a professionally done resume and cover letter. It is well worth the money if it lands you the job!
If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, why not follow up with the company and check on the status of your application? Send a nice email inquiring, or call them. (Only if the company hasn’t requested that you not do that.) Don’t whine or beg, be professional about it. Express your genuine interest in working for them. Persistence can pay off, as long as you’re not annoying your potential employer.
The number one thing to remember about scammers is that they want either your money, or your personal information. Never, ever pay a “fee” to begin working for a company. (Business opportunities do frequently require you to purchase a start-up kit, however I am referring to actual telecommuting jobs here.) No matter how great they make a job sound, do NOT pull out your credit card and send them money. It is a scam. Rarely, some legitimate companies might charge you for training, but more often they will deduct this from your first few paychecks. If you’re really not sure if a company is legitimate, ask around! Visit work at home message forums and ask about the company. Chances are people have heard of them, or can tell you whether it’s a genuiune job or not. Unfortunately, new scammers pop up every day, so even if you can’t find anything negative about them, proceed cautiously.
Likewise, if you are unsure whether a company is legitimate, do NOT give them your social security number, home address, or any banking information (for direct deposit). An employer will not need this information unless they are actually hiring you. I recommend people to leave those fields blank when applying for a job. If the employer likes your qualifications and wants to hire you (and you are absolutely certain they are legitimate) then you can supply that information. Real employers will understand your caution.
The best way to avoid scams is to listen to your gut. There are always warning signs. Even if everything seems on the up and up, and your gut is giving you a signal that something doesn’t seem right, LISTEN to that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “I had a bad feeling but I wanted it to be for real, so I took a chance.” Don’t do that. You have a great built-in warning system. We all do. It’s called Intuition. Use it. Outsmart the scammers.
Professionalism, Patience and Persistence
Finally, remember that work at home positions have a tremendous amount of demand. Thousands and thousands of people are applying for the very same positions that you are. Make sure your resume is in top form and clearly details your experience and qualifications for the job you are applying for. Consider investing in a professionally done resume and cover letter. It is well worth the money if it lands you the job!
If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, why not follow up with the company and check on the status of your application? Send a nice email inquiring, or call them. (Only if the company hasn’t requested that you not do that.) Don’t whine or beg, be professional about it. Express your genuine interest in working for them. Persistence can pay off, as long as you’re not annoying your potential employer.
