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: 11/22/2006 Subject: help
Question Do you think it would be ok to post my resume online at like monster.com for a work at home data entry or home typist job? Also, someone told me that some big corporations like AT & T, Georgia Power or Merrill Lynch sometimes hire people to work at home, do you think it would be a good idea to send a resume to some of these companies? I am getting desperate, I really want to work, but with my 2 children I just can't do it yet. I worked all my life, except for the past 3 years, and I feel like I'm not contributing anything to the family, just having my husband bring in a paycheck.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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I hope you can help me, I have been searching the internet for data entry or typist work of some sort that I can do from home. I think I have searched every site available, and can't find a legitimate job, they all either need you to have DSL with a separate phone line, which I don't, and can't get in my area, or you have to pay something. Isn't there some legitimate well known companies out there that want a home typist or data entry person. I'm not looking to get rich, I just want something I can do from home, and get paid for it. I have been doing some paid surveys off and on for the past 6 months or so, and I have been making $5.00 here and there. I am a stay at home mother of 2, before having my second child I worked for a big automobile dealership, doing secretarial and collections work, so I am qualified for this, but I just can't find anything that would actually be legitimate without having to pay.
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Hi Christie,
There are hundreds of legitimate work-at-home jobs; however, you won't just sign up and type at home. Typing and data entry jobs are few and usually require a typing test. I could tell you all sorts of companies with work-at-home programs but the list would be worthless as many may not be hiring. You don't use your phone book yellow pages to find a job so you wouldn't use a telecommuting list either.
Instead, you want to search for jobs where employers post jobs. Stick to job search sites. And you may want to be open to other job types to allow yourself more options. Also, never, ever pay money to get hired. You can pay to access a good work-at-home job listings database, but never to get hired.
Answer Hi Christie,
You can post your resume, but I wouldn't expect much except scam and spams if you are only going to look for typing work. And yes, 100's of companies have telecommuting options. Working Woman magazine just listed 100 of them. However, you must realize that most telecommuting jobs are not typing or data entry. They are technical, sales, programming, writing, marketing, etc. In essence, work-at-home jobs are like traditional jobs; they require skills and experience. Even when I do find legit data entry or typing, usually they want more than just typing. I don't tell you this to discourage you, but to be honest.
Second, I can send you a list of companies that have telecommuters, but that doesn't mean you'll find work. You don't just sign up to work at home. This list would be like using your phone book to find a job. Sure, the businesses have employees, but that doesn't mean they are hiring or that you are qualified to do the job. You are better off to search for actual job posts. You can visit http://www.workathomesuccess.com/work-from-home-job-search.html to learn how to search for jobs and my favorite places to search for work.
You can see a list of companies with telecommuting BUT remember, odds are you won't find work. Please don't call the people on this list. Visit their websites to find jobs they have available. http://www.workathomesuccess.com/work-from-home-company.html
If you are serious about finding a work-at-home job, you must be open to doing more than typing. You need to list all your skills and experience and match them to a job (just like in the traditional job world). You can detailed help at http://www.jobsathomesuccess.com or http://www.jobsonlinetoolkit.com. These ebooks offer step-by-step help and resources. Both come with a list of frequently hiring companies (virtual assistants, customer service etc). Note that these companies may or may not be taking on new workers, most hire by contract, and work may not be steady.