Sunday, April 20, 2008

Applying for telecommuting jobs

Telecommuting jobs abound all over the Internet. Unfortunately, scammers are also plentiful, preying on unsuspecting victims trying to find a job. I still have to experience a real scam in my applications, as I normally would not reply to postings that give me some doubts from the start. It is for this reason that I haven't been victimized by MLM or networking scams in the past - I'm not the type who would grab at any money-making opportunity unless I'm convinced that it's legal and safe to do so.

But others may be easily tempted by the large fortune offered by some scammers. Work-at-home mom Rosalind Mays created a helpful article in HomeBiz Central comparing the actuation of real employers against the acts of those just who just wanted to get money from you. According to Mays, some of the ways to tell if your being scammed are:

1. Scammers post vague descriptions, including the catch-all phrase 'no experience necessary' to beguile as many people as possible. Real employers, on the other hand, will list the details of the job and requirements, as they need to make sure that applicants are suited for the job, especially as telecommuting work means that the hiree would work largely on his own and hence must be a professional and highly-disciplined person.

2. When a real employer responds to your email, it will usually ask for a resume, sample works and references while scammers ask for money to process the application or as payment for some step-by-step booklet that you will supposedly need to apply for the job.

3. When you are hired, real employers will contact you directly and ask you to sign contracts, request for your tax details and gives complete instructions on the work the hiree is expected to do. Scammers give vague instructions and some materials for your supposed work.

Read the full article here and be enlightened. It is particularly important for those using the Internet to find gigs, as anonymity is the rule in cyberspace. It really wouldn't hurt to be on the side of caution when you apply for telecommuting jobs.

No comments: