Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
Working from home was never a reality for many of us prior to Covid. However it has become quite common in the new age of technology, some people still either prefer working in an office setting or their job doesn’t allow them to work from home. On the other hand, a lot of us have found ourselves forced to work from home.Since most people have no prior experience in working remotely, there are some basic steps that should be followed to make your job transition more enjoyable.Make a Work Schedule:While most of us may have the flexibility of setting our schedule for working from home, it is better to stick to a schedule we’re used to, or our employers recommend. To not increase already existing stress, your schedule does not have to be binding. Rearrange it according to what suits you best, as long as you keep getting a considerable amount of work done.Develop a Home Office: Considering the circumstances, it is not likely that the majority of us already have an existing home office to work from. But, a make-shift space can be made. You need to have a quiet and peaceful space to work from. All you need is a table, a chair, a laptop with a working internet connection, office supplies and you’re good to go!Have Reliable Electronics and Internet Connection:Since you will be the connection between you and your company, and will likely need to communicate with them often, having a reliable phone, computer and internet connection is essential for you. Your working space should have an outlet and a backup electricity supply in case you run out of battery or charging. Make sure you also have a backup internet supply in case your internet is down, such as data on your mobile phone.Dress Accordingly:No one will see you while you work, but dressing appropriately will put you in the right frame of mind and will increase your productivity levels. This does not mean dressing up into formal clothing like you would for a regular office, but changing out of pajamas into at least day clothes can be a start. While you don’t technically need to do this, it can help demarcate your time from your work time and make it easy to follow a schedule and stay up to date.Communicate Regularly: While, not having to see your boss or co-workers every day sounds like a good idea, keeping them out of the loop though may not be. If you are working remotely, communication with your employer and colleagues is essential. Stay in touch with them via email, instant messaging, or programs that allow you to work simultaneously with your colleagues on shared documents. Don’t hesitate to contact your team via phone or email if you have concerns along the way. Stay Focused: Working from home may seem easy, but it can be difficult to keep yourself focused if you’re constantly faced with distractions such as the doorbell ringing or your family talking in the background. Keep your workspace relatively distraction-free. Consider getting noise-cancellation headphones, or use other methods of sound-proofing. If you live with a family or roommates, let them know that you are not to be disturbed at this time. Avoid Extra-Avoid Extra-Curricular Activities during Work Hours: If there are some household tasks or chores you are required to be tending to while you’re at home, schedule them according to your working timetable so that you don’t need to use your ‘office hours’ for household tasks. You need to be disciplined and able to manage time efficiently. Avoid taking breaks for cleaning or cooking and schedule time for them later, so they don’t pose a distraction while you work from home. Keep Your Mind Fresh:Working from home can over some time become quite lonely and claustrophobic, especially when you’re stuck in a routine and can’t leave your house often. Some ways to keep yourself from falling into the monotony is to keep your mind fresh. Try to set up your working space near a window so you can have a view of the outside while you work. If you’re not lucky enough for that, keeping an indoor plant near your work table is fairly low-maintenance and can have a positive effect. Keep yourself well hydrated and have healthy snacks in the middle to keep your energy levels up. These are just a handful of small essentials to fulfill to make working from home a wholesome and positive experience for yourself. Choosing the best environment for yourself and optimizing it according to your needs is the secret to having a successful home office. Opinion Profit Club is an online community resource to help you find jobs in the Gig Economy. We remove the confusion out of working from home. We hope you liked this info. Feel free to post your questions and comments below. Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
Are you a US resident who’s 18 years or older that has a working phone and computer with high-speed internet? If so, these job opportunities might be right for YOU!Working from home is not a new concept, and employers need job seekers to do small projects for their customers. This demand has created new opportunities to do Side Hustles. Which can often be worked from your smartphone. Inspired by Black Excellist’s Youtube video, here are a few you can start today!There are over 1 million apps available for download in the Apple or Google play store. Mobile Apps are a great way to find new side hustle opportunities. Do a “Gig” search from your Apple or Android device. You will see a long list of legit side hustle opportunities. Most Gig apps will recommend jobs based on your location and interests.Becoming a Medication Reminder is another option. Companies like Pleio hire Goodstart mentors to help patients follow a dedicated routine while on prescription medications. No medical degree is required but job seekers must be caring, detail oriented and good communicators. Visit their website for details: https://www.pleio.com/careers/Data entry is another field of work where you work with a company or a business for whom you will be entering data. Data usually needs to be converted from paper to digital format. No experience is necessary however tasks can be repetitive. Search online for “ remote data entry jobs”. Companies hire data entry clerks, as independent contractors to work from home. You must meet certain requirements which may include typing speed, accuracy and having an active Paypal account.There are multiple ways to earn from home, and with more of the world going online, the possibilities seem limitless. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, caretaker, stay-at-home mom/dad or struggling college student who needs some extra cash but also wants the freedom and flexibility to work remotely. Side hustles are a good source of income, just figure out what works best for you! Opinion Profit Club is an online career resource to help you find jobs in the Gig Economy. We remove the confusion from working from home. We hope you liked this info. Feel free to post your questions and comments below. Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
Before you start a side gig, here are some questions to ask yourself. 1. How much money would you like?Before pursuing a hustle, consider whether or not you are trying to replace your full-time income or simply raise money. Decide, how much money would you like to earn? Is there a deadline for reaching this goal?By setting goals and giving yourself tangible outcomes to achieve, it may be easier to stay motivated. Knowing your target dates and how much you want to earn can also help you decide which type of side hustle is best for you.2. Is it against the rules? This may seem like a silly question, but in other words will your primary job allow it? Believe it or not, some employers won’t permit their staff to work other jobs. While others have strict rules or may have employees sign non-disclosure agreements to protect company information.For instance, most people in sales positions are restricted from working with direct competitors. So if you’re not sure about the rules at your job, talk to Human resources or review the employee handbook. Please take this seriously, otherwise it could cost you your job.3. How much time is required?When looking for a side gig—in addition to working a part-time or full-time job—that means your time is limited. Therefore, you’ll have to identify what schedule fits your lifestyle.How much more time are you willing to dish out? How much responsibility is involved? The nice thing about most side hustles is flexible work hours. Side gigs are supposed to be fun and done on your own terms. Which is why it’s important that you’re honest with yourself in answering these questions. Think about your answers to avoid burnout and maintain work/life balance.After all, for a person who thrives in a high-stress environment, he/she might do well working full-time with a demanding side gig. For others, you may want a side gig where you select daily work assignments based on business need. Jobs like delivering groceries or mystery shopping offers you freedom & flexibility.4. Can you turn a side hustle into a career?The answer is…YES! Some of the coolest side gigs come from a person’s special interest or natural talent. These jobs can be rewarding especially if the work is easier for you and it’s something you’re passionate about.Many people have found their passions performing tasks like drawing or auto detailing. Once you start getting the work done faster than others, you’ll stand out from the competition. This could turn into more hours, increased wages or referral business. From there new ideas blossom which may include furthering your education, pursuing a full-time job or becoming self-employed. Honestly your career options are endless! In other words, if you enjoy doing the work, it could become your new career. Why not get paid doing what you love!5. Did you pay Uncle Sam?Side gigs are a great way to make extra money but don’t forget to pay Uncle Sam. Keep an eye on your paycheck and save a percentage of your earnings. This is a common mistake people make when supplementing their income. Many companies who offer temporary jobs or project work don’t recognize gig workers as regular staff. They hire people as freelancer or independent contractors.A good way to distinguish if you have been assigned to regular employment or an independent contractor position is looking at your paycheck. Employers who do not withhold federal taxes from your earnings may consider you as an independent contractor. In most cases this means you’re responsible for paying State and federal tax each year.Check with a tax professional to determine how much money you should be saving from your side hustle.Are side gigs right for you?Working a side gig can be a great way to make extra money and reach your financial goals. However only you can decide whether it’s the right for you. We recommend taking some time to reflect on the questions and make you’re your decision fits well with your lifestyle and career goals. And remember nothing is permanent. Keep researching different side gigs until you find one that fits!As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below. Feel free to let us know your experience with starting a side hustle or recommend employment apps.Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
March Madness is a symbol of basketball history for sports fans in the U.S. There’s over 64 college basketball teams each who compete in both the NCAA Men’s & Women’s Division I Basketball Tournaments. Each sharing a common goal of making it into the NCAA Final Four and winning the national championship. As the season ends, the tournament is narrowed down to two basketball teams who compete for the national championship. March Madness begins soon and since basketball is my favorite sport I wanted to discuss how it relates to your job search. Just like March Madness, searching for a job comes down to the final seconds of the game. Once you’re invited to the tournament, the focus is no longer on your past experiences. Let’s face it, only a handful of teams get invited to the NCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament and even less job seekers get invited for an interview. Similar to the athletes who made the cut, the next step in the hiring process is to receive a job interview. While your application may have passed computer algorithms and job assessments, you still need to convince the managers to hire you! The NCAA Selection Committee is very selective about which teams are chosen similarly the same is true for employers. Most job applicants don’t pass the resume screening algorithm because of simple errors in formatting or grammar. Be sure to proofread your resume and check for spelling errors, inconsistent fonts or text sizes before submitting. Now that you’ve been invited to participate, it’s time to demonstrate your expertise. These athletes will continue to compete and show off their basketball skills during March Madness, just as job seekers must do for interviews. Regardless if some teams have all star players or won more games than others, it all comes down to performance on the court. Most people have impressive career profiles but they fold during the job interview. Hundreds of candidates, all get asked the same set of questions. How will you standout from the crowd? Simple…with preparation. When the interview questions get tough, it pays off…. if you are prepared. Research the company in advance to understand the job requirements and potential interview questions. Ask the recruiter what type of questions may be asked and search the internet for best answers to behavioral or stress interview questions. Don’t be afraid to practice with others, it could help improve your interviewing skills. However it will be your individual performance that produces the end result.When the Final Four games are played, there’s only one team that can win the NCAA Tournament each year. In a way, you could say it’s just like a typical job search, where only one candidate is hired. However that’s where the comparison breaks down. Because you’re not limited to competing in one BIG “tournament,” one time a year… companies are hiring year round! So when one opportunity closes its doors, many others will be open. And some employers want to hire more than one candidate. In other words, all you need is one more shot to win the game. I believe anyone is talented enough to develop skills, earn money and start a meaningful career! The perfect job opportunity is out there waiting for those who keep searching. Your challenge is to find the best side gig or work from home job. And we’re here to help along the way!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
There’s a growing trend in job (and internship) scams targeting remote workers. Fake job offers appear most as unsolicited emails, online job postings and malicious links on social media. Employment scams can attempt to steal money, steal your personal information or identity.Some job scams are easy to notice and give off red flags because they appear “too good to be true” while others seem legit. They promise large salaries with little to no effort or job experience. Unfortunately, scammers have gotten savvy online and are able to pose as legitimate companies. They purchase business names, websites, email addresses and more to conduct fraud. Most scammers use “spoof” email addresses so that their emails “appear” to be coming from a valid email account when in fact, they are actually coming from the scammer’s email account. If your goal is to work-from-home, fake job offers can be especially hard to identify but there are simple ways to avoid them. Below you’ll find a list of basic do’s and don’ts to help you identify and avoid job scams. Don’t:Don’t share personal information like your social security or bank account number with anyone until you have verified it with the government.Don’t send money for background checks or as a condition of employment. Traditional jobs do not require staff to pay upfront for uniforms, background checks etc. Don’t accept paychecks in the form of cashier’s checks or money orders. Fake checks are common with scammers which means you may get into trouble by the bank or check cashing business where you cash it.Don’t cash a paycheck that comes with “extra” money and do not buy gift cards and send barcodes at an employer’s request. Scammers send checks that require you to make deposits at your bank, withdraw the “extra” money as cash and then deposit that cash elsewhere. When their check bounces you will be held responsible to face penalties and pay fines by the bank.Don’t share personal information like your social security or bank account number on social media even if it’s requested through direct message. This is the newest method for job scams and no social network is immune or perfectly safe. Be cautious on social media, people’s accounts get hacked daily so do your research and verify that the recruiter or employer is legit before you click and apply. Do’s:Beware if a job is offering daily pay or big money for very little work or job experience, it could be a scammer trying to steal your personal information.Research the employer. Visit their company website to make sure business information and job advertisements match. Is the phone number or email address the same as what’s listed on their website? Is the job listed on their career page? Read customer reviews from various sources to find out what others have experienced with the company. Do an internet search for more information and see if they are listed in business directories. Call the potential employer and listen for a professional voice message with company information before submitting your job application. If you think a job offer is suspicious on an online job board let the publishers know! They can do a formal investigation and remove the job posting from their website. Always report a job scam to prevent others from getting scammed. Post your experience on social media or consumer protection websites. To report a scam, file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission. The Bottom Line on Job ScamsMillions of people are affected by job scams every year and become victims of identity theft or fraud. Anybody can be tricked into opening a spam email or clicking on a malicious social media link. So it’s best to get familiar with the warning signs and protect yourself during your job search.Opinion Profit Club strives to provide legitimate work from home job opportunities on our website; however, we make no representations or guarantees about positions from employers or affiliates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
Contacting an employer after you have applied or interviewed for a job is very important. I’ve heard complaints from both hiring managers and job seekers about not hearing back from someone after showing interest. In my opinion, follow-up is the responsibility of both job seekers and hiring departments.In fact, most people wait to follow up only after a job interview, not knowing it is just as beneficial to follow up on their job application too! While this process can be scary for the job seeker, contacting the recruiter or hiring manager after expressing your interest can really help you Stand Out from other candidates. And knowing how to follow up on a job application may increase your chances of getting hired. So if you applied to an open position and haven’t gotten a response back, give the following strategies a try.Make A Phone Call Wait about a week after submitting a job application or being interviewed to take your next step. Then call your main point of contact which should be a recruiter or member of the company’s hiring team. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not able to speak with the right person on the first try. It’s normal to be transferred to other departments. Be willing to leave a voice mail or message with the receptionist if the opportunity presents itself. Keep in mind it’s always best to follow the directions from a potential employer’s job posting before calling by phone. Avoid calling if it says Do Not Call or No Phone Calls. During an interview is also a great time to ask for contact information and discuss job expectations. In addition, you can stay organized by keeping a contact list of people to follow-up with from each company.Send An Email While a phone call would be my first recommendation for the initial method of following up, others claim that email is the best method because job seekers can show interest in the role while also respecting their contact’s time. In my opinion, email is a great secondary option to take in circumstances where the company does not accept phone inquiries. Email is a great method to use if you have not heard back from your contact after leaving a voicemail. Patience will be helpful as I suggest waiting 48-72 hours for an email response. Especially hiring departments because they are busier than ever due to limitations the pandemic has caused in the job market. Visit The Local OfficeOne of my favorite ways to follow-up is dropping by the physical location. Now obviously this applies to companies that have brick and mortar locations. Just a side note…These follow-up processes do not have to be done in any particular order. You can try each method as it fits your situation. Once you arrive at the job site or corporate office, stop at the front desk or ask a staff member who you can speak with about hiring. They may ask you for more detail and refer you to the correct department. Walk-ins can be a win-win situation for both job seekers and employers. A major benefit for those seeking employment is the ability to experience the culture of the organization and see if you like the vibe. In addition, job seekers can also gather information about their staff who to contact in regards to the hiring process.. Most importantly walk-ins allow hiring managers to get more familiar with you as a candidate. In summary, I have listed three of the most effective job search strategies. These simple actions have landed me countless interviews with hiring managers and job opportunities! Companies are looking for ways to filter out candidates. By applying the strategies above, you’re more likely to move to the next steps.Opinion Profit Club is an online career resource to help you find jobs in the Gig Economy. We remove the confusion from working from home. We hope you liked this info. Feel free to post your questions and comments below. Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
So you moved through the application process and we’re told they have filled the position. Unfortunately, rejection is part of the job search process. And despite knowing there’s a possibility of not getting hired, we still play the blame game and beat ourselves up about not getting the job!It’s never a fun experience but at some stage of the job search process, chances are you’ll be turned down for a role. However the key is to turn a negative into a positive – and understand how to deal with job rejection. Just know that I am not minimizing how brutal job searches can be, especially after all the time that’s invested submitting résumés, completing tedious applications and enduring challenging job interviews. When you think you did great in an interview and haven’t heard back after several weeks, it’s devastating. Receiving a letter of regret can make it hard to get through the day.That’s why I’m sharing 3 practical tips to consider in hopes that you’ll never give up on finding your dream job!Don’t Take Rejections PersonallyKeep in mind that Job rejection is normal so avoid taking it too personally. Take comfort in knowing that everyone is going through the same thing. No one is getting hired 100% of the time. We all have experienced similar feelings of fear, stress and bouts of depression due to some form of rejection. Everyone at one point in their career gets rejected for a coveted role, loses out to an office rival for a lucrative promotion or gets ghosted after a great series of interviews.Keep Moving ForwardWhile it can be tempting to put your job search on hold while you wait to hear back from an employer, it’s also important to continue searching for work. Look for similar roles, apply at different companies and be willing to follow-up! Stay in touch with your network of professionals and maintain contact with your recruiters. This approach builds your confidence, and keeps your options open for other job opportunities.Handling rejection is never easy but it does offer valuable opportunities to discover more about yourself and enhance your job search techniques. Good things are always worth waiting for, and with persistence and a positive outlook, your dream job could be just around the corner.Reflect on Your approachIf you continue to get overlooked for jobs, it may be time to do some self-reflection. Are you applying for jobs without having experience or choosing roles that are outside of your skill sets? What does your social media page say about you? How good are your responses in the job interview?Take the time to reflect on your approach to the hiring process to see if there is anything you could improve upon in the future. Review your resume, cover letter, social media presence, conversation during the interview and your follow-up process. When you’ve been rejected, it’s easy to start feeling bitter, resentful and angry. If a hiring manager senses that you’re unhappy or blaming others for everything that’s happened in the past, they won’t be interested in hiring you or giving you a promotion. The job market is very competitive and based on your responses, their team may be forced to believe that there are other candidates willing to assume more responsibility for their actions.Closing remarksThe job search process is tough and receiving a rejection feels even worse. What’s most important though is how you react after receiving that rejection because it can affect the outcome of future job opportunities.If you don’t take the time to reevaluate the situation, by reviewing your resume, cover letter, social media presence, conversation during the interview and your follow-up process, you could make the same mistakes. In other words, if you don’t make the necessary changes, it can lead to more job rejections.So, be kind to yourself knowing that job rejection is normal. Brush yourself off and start making some improvements. Identify your talents and use them to your advantage. Keep applying for work and follow-up with recruiters. Doing so will separate you from other candidates and get you hired!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
Working from home has become a very popular topic! One major reason for this is due to the pandemic which caused rapid changes in the economy and increased the demand for remote workers. This blog post was inspired by Shane Hummel’s Youtube video that I came across while researching for legit work from home jobs. The video outlines some of the highest paying work from home jobs. So I’m excited to share the information below.Online Tutoring – Make over a $100 dollars an hour teaching others academic subjects, specialized skills. You can save people time and money by showing them exactly what topics and resources are needed to achieve their goals. This job is in demand because passing tests is necessary for students, parents and job seekers. Online Tutoring jobs can be done independently during your free time or through a school, college or tutoring company.Search Engine Evaluator – Earn $36,000 – $108,000 dollars a year as a Search Engine Evaluator. Search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing, have to make sure the results/information/answers that appears when you search online is high quality, relevant and useful. To accomplish this, companies need people to test the algorithm. While technology is improving, it does not always understand the human language. That’s why companies hire people to do research and make sure these systems are working properly. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary of a Search Engine Evaluator is $36,881 in the United States.Remote Business Careers – This is a broad subject but the jobs which seem to be thriving are in healthcare, technology and finance. Most of these careers require formal training or work experience. You can easily work from home with Business careers in a variety of industries! Careers to search for include Health Information Management (HIM), Website Development and Account Management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that Health Information Management professionals earn an average of $46,590 per year. PayScale lists that an entry-level Account Manager with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average of $44,707. Web developers make an average of $72,090 per year however pay varies by state. Social Media Manager – Get paid for managing social media accounts. PayScale’s US data shows Social Media Manager’s with zero to five years experience make $42,000 a year. This career field has tons of growth potential! Social Media Management is one of the most flexible jobs ever. You can do this for an employer or independently. All you need is high speed internet, marketing software and a computer. Small businesses and corporations pay people to promote their services online. I have been doing this type of work since 2016 both as an employee and freelancer. It is very rewarding if you enjoy working with customers, learning new programs and creating a variety of content.Opinion Profit Club is an online community resource to help you find jobs in the Gig Economy. We remove the confusion out of working from home. We hope you liked this info. Feel free to post your questions and comments below. Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Created by - Kayla McDonald, M.S.
As your side gig advisor job I have worked for some of America’s top companies doing customer service, marketing and student advisor positions which makes me the perfect person to help you find that dream job! Reading this article and watching the video below is great for you if you’re someone who… Doesn’t want to work 40-plus hours a week,Is looking for gigs that will fit your schedule,Loves their full-time job but needs extra money or Maybe you’ve submitted your application and feel confused about what to do next.If so, my goal is to help change your situation because, I believe anyone is talented enough to develop skills, earn money and start a meaningful career! After watching the webinar you’ll be more confident in getting hired for a job with flexible schedules, ideal working conditions and great pay.During this 27 minute video presentation, I’ll discussHow to set career goalsTips for getting organizedBest practices for interview preparationWhere to look for help with resume writing & interview skillsLeveraging your personal and professional network When to follow-up with recruiters and more!This webinar is full of career strategies I use to find legit jobs, prepare for interviews and get hired. Comment below or send us an email if you need some extra help. Opinion Profit Club is an online career resource to help you find jobs in the Gig Economy. We remove the confusion out of working from home. We hope you liked this info. Feel free to post your questions and comments below. Have a great day!
More detailsPublished - Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Fri, 26 Jul 2024
Fri, 26 Jul 2024
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