AboutLeslie Truex Expertise I can answer questions on how to find a work-at-home job online or off including the best sites for finding jobs, how approach an employer about working at home, and other methods for creating a work-at-home job. I can also answer questions about current trends in telecommuting, how to establish a telecommuting program in a company, and how to maximize productivity while working at home.
Experience I have telecommuted as a social worker, writer, web designer and online researcher. I have provided work-at-home job announcements and tips online since 1998 at my site WorkAtHomeSuccess.com. I am the author of Jobs At Home: A Complete Guide to Finding or Creating a Work-At-Home and of the soon to be published The Pajama Mama Guide to Online Employment.
Publications My articles have appeared in various work-at-home and stay-at-home e-zines and web site.
Education/Credentials I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work.
Awards and Honors Work-At-Home Success has been recognized and received several awards from various online resources.
Expert: Leslie Truex Date: 7/31/2008 Subject: working from home & making money
Question QUESTION: I need to find a job & soon. The problem is that I can't work outside the home because I have no child care (for a 3yr old) & no transportation (my husband gets the car for work, I use it when I need it). I want to work from home on the computer/internet, but I don't think you should have to pay to get a job (its a scam). I need to bring home min. 1,000/mo or more. Do you have any suggestions?
ANSWER: Hi Shannon,
It is true that you should never pay to get hired. Anyone who tells you that for a few bucks you can have a job, is selling you something. However, you also can't simply sign up for a work-at-home job either. Like traditional jobs, work-at-home jobs require skills and experience,and a hiring process. So you need to start with the skills and experience you have to offer an employer, create a quality resume and search for jobs where jobs are posted. It helps to also learn about telecommuting and scams so you can focus on the real work. For example, you never want to allow a business to use your personal bank account to help it do business as many check scams try to lure you to do.
There are many great sites for finding jobs. I post 25 jobs a week at my blog and an additional 20 jobs in my newsletter. I also have a list of free and fee-based telecommuting job sources on my site. (Note, you don't want to pay to get hired, but it is okay to pay for services that can help you find or get a job such as a job database or resume help. However, you can find jobs without using these services as well.)
QUESTION: I have a resume already, but I haven't worked in a long time. What should I do to increase my chances of getting hired? I have office experience & I am a Medical Assistant/X-ray Tech/Psych Tech. I last worked in the Mental Health Dept. of the California Rehabilitation Center, Norco (CA State Prison System)
Answer Hi Shannon,
There are lots of jobs in medical transcription. While you usually need to have 2-5 years experience, you can possibly contract with local medical facilities to provide the service since you're knowledgeable with medical terms.
The key to getting a job is to have your resume show how your skills are perfect for the job you are applying to. That means instead of sending out a generic resume, tailor it to each job and company. Don't be like all the other applicants. Take time to research a bit about the job and company and submit a resume that shows you're perfect for the job.
