Successful Online Job Hunting

By Mila Sidman

There is fierce competition for work at home jobs.  Most of these jobs are flexible and great for moms, students, retirees and everyone in between who dreams of working from home.  The good news is there are plenty of jobs out there, the trick is to know where to look. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started: 

Don’t pay for a job:  You’ve probably heard this before but it’s worth repeating.  You really don’t need to pay a company to hire you for regular or freelance work.  You’re providing a service to them so the only getting paid should be you.  With some job banks it is customary to pay a small yearly feel as well as with some freelance job sites.  These are usually legit but unfortunately there are some scams too, do your research and if in doubt visit a trusted forum and ask questions – people will quickly open up to you on a forum if they’ve had a bad experience with a certain company.  

Think Long Term:  Places like elance.com or getafreelancer.com can be a great starting point to finding steady jobs.  I’ve spoken to several writers and VAs who have found great long-term clients through these freelance sites.  The key is to read through the ads and spot the ones that are looking for the cheapest, one-time worker or the ones that seem like they want to build a long-term relationship.  

The truth is most of the business owners posting in these places would welcome the opportunity to find a reliable person to work with.  By being professional and doing just that little bit extra on a project you’re greatly improving your chances of working with that person again.  

Craigslist:  There are many, many jobs on Craigslist.  Unfortunately, some are disguised are jobs and are merely opportunities that will ask you for money but if you take a little time to look deeper you’ll find lots of legitimate work at home jobs.  Always read the ad carefully and follow all the guidelines set out by the poster when applying for the job.  There is nothing that will disqualify you faster than not following instructions.  

Cover Letters, Resumes & Samples:  Some work at home jobs will ask to see these.  Your best bet is to write a resume that lists any previous experience where you’ve worked independently.  Write in a positive, upbeat tone and keep it succinct.   

When a potential employer looks at your resume they’re not really interested so much in all your work experience, your hobbies or how many awards you have won.  It doesn’t hurt to list these things in some cases, but mainly your potential employer is looking for words that stand out to him to instantly tell him how you are the right person for the job. Think of it as a brief 30 second interview in print – use your time wisely, how can you describe you’re the best person for the job in 30 seconds or less? 

A cover letter has one purpose – to get you the interview.  Don’t worry about saying everything in your cover letter, save some for later.  Again, think 30 second interview and make your point clearly.  It’s really worth it to take a little extra time and get this just right.  

When applying for freelance job a resume or cover letter usually isn’t necessary, but most potential customers will ask for samples – especially if you’re a writer or designer.  If you’re applying for an admin position they may ask for a few references or to know who you’ve worked previously.  

If you’re new to working from home don’t let lack of experience stand in your way.  It really all comes down to how well you present yourself and your mindset.  Approach potential jobs with a positive mindset and have an “I can do this” attitude.  And once you do get the job, giving it 110% will ensure you have no shortage of future jobs.

Mila Sidman is the owner and editor of the popular website Internet Based Moms. She's a copywriter, marketer and mom with a passion for helping women succeed in business.

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