Protect Yourself From Fake Work At Home Jobs With These Four Simple Tips

It's probably no surprise to you that people want your hard-earned money. And unfortunately, when it comes to work from home opportunities, scams seem to be all the more prevalent on the internet today.

Take note of the four points discussed below when scanning the available work from home jobs on the internet, in your email box, or in your local newspaper. They will help you weed out potential scams that may come about.

1. Does the company hiring ask you for an administrative fee as a condition to be hired?

Imagine, if you will, you're sitting in an interview for a traditional job and things are going great. You nailed all the answers that the potential employer has thrown at you and you can tell by the look on her face that she is impressed. Then the words you've been longing to hear come next. "Well, that should be it, if you're interested we would like for you to fill the position. Is this something you'd like to pursue?" After three long months of searching and interviewing, you respond with a resounding "Yes!"

Your new employer smiles, stands up to shake your hand and says, "Great, I'll take you down to accounting so you can write them a check for $60 to cover a small administration fee so that we can get your information processed and everything set up for your new job immediately."

Doesn't sound right, does it? You know good and well a traditional employer would never do this. They need your skills and your work so they pay you. And that's the way a real telecommuting job should be, too. To an employer, you are just another employee in the scheme of things. Beware when you are asked to put down your own money for a position. That's just how these so-called businesses make their money.

2. Is the salary highlighted in the job ad?

You've seen them. "Make $500/week!", "$10,000/month potential." Avoid them plain and simple. Legitimate telecommuting positions like traditional job listings hardly ever come out and give an exact amount you will get paid for performing a job. Unless, of course, it's an hourly wage for the position. But even then, it should be reasonable for the job at hand. They may give a salary range if it's an option in the listing, but most will say salary based on experience.

Avoid job ads that focus their attention on how much money you can make rather than on what minimum skills are required for the position. Which leads us to the next point.

3. Avoid pursuing jobs that state "No experience necessary."

More than likely, it's another typical business opportunity or a downright scam. What traditional employer will hire you with no experience? Not many, if any. Granted some companies will hire and train you. But when it comes to telecommuting jobs, "on-the-job" training is kind of difficult.

Just be aware of job offers trying to get your attention focused on this rather than the job at hand. More than likely, it's not a real telecommuting position.

4. And finally, do they ask you for a resume and list the actual skills that are necessary to qualify for the available position?

Go to any traditional job listing and you'll find an address, email or fax number to send in your resume. Most legitimate telecommuting jobs require the same.

You should also find a list of job skills required to qualify for the job at hand. Try to stay away from so-called telecommuting job leads that don't follow this traditional way of posting open positions. Remember, a telecommuting job is nothing other than a traditional job that you perform from the confines of your home office.

Use these guidelines to protect yourself from illegitimate offers while searching for a work from home job. Working at home is very popular today, and unfortunately there are a lot of people out there pushing schemes to take your money.

Find out the Five Top Places to find free telecommute work opportunities, just visit Telecommute Now and download your free Telecommuting Job Search Strategy Guide. Get It Now.

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Finding the Telecommuting Work Life Balance - 6 Simple Tips

A telecommuting job from home can be an exciting opportunity for anyone. While working from home is great, it can take a little getting used to, especially since you will have more free time than your used to. Since you are in charge of your time and when you get your work done, you will look at your job in a whole new way. Here are some simple steps to get you started on your new venture working from home.

1. Make an appropriate workspace - Working from home is really no different than working in an office when it comes to the space you are using. Make sure you have an area in your home that you can go to that is quiet and you won't be disturbed. This includes a desk that is set up for you to comfortably maneuver throughout the day. Remember, you will be sitting at your desk in your home office like you would if you were in any other office, so you want to make sure it's comfortable. You should be able to sit in a position that does not cause strain or discomfort on your neck, back wrist etc. Invest in a nice desk and chair; you will thank yourself in the long run.

2. Create a system to track your time - Depending on how your company is set up, you may be required to enter your hours online each week. I recommend using a notebook or calendar system to write down this information, especially for those busy days when you are juggling several projects. It's easy to think you will remember what you've done but trust me, I learned quickly that the days go by too fast and it's really hard to recall what I did each day!

3. Keep track of your bills - Most home office expenses are tax deductible in some form or another so keep track of all your utility bills, home improvement bills, internet, phone etc. Contact your accountant for further information as it applies to your state.

4. Set boundaries - With having such a flexible work environment, it's easy to get sidetracked watching TV or doing the laundry. If you set boundaries for yourself, you will find you are much more productive. I tend to work in 2 hour blocks of time because that works best for me. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try new things. In most instances, you are probably free from the typical 9-5 hours of getting your work done. If you work better at night, go for it (assuming you are still meeting your deadlines).

5. Check your insurance -Does your insurance company have you rated as a high mileage driver? Call to inquire and let them know you are now working from home, there is a chance this may reduce your premium. If you are bringing clients to your home or if you are driving for business purposes, your insurance agent needs to know this because there may be special endorsements that need to be added to your policies. It is best to contact your insurance agent to find out the laws in your state.

6. Take a look at your budget - Since you are working from home, the chances are pretty good you are not spending as much as you were when you were driving to and from work. Working from home not only allows greater flexibility, it can also mean big savings on your budget. You will likely find savings in categories like gas and dining out. Since you won't be driving to work and you likely won't have the typical office lunch out, this can add up to big savings. You could apply this extra cash to savings or paying down debt.

Working from home is a great opportunity to create a flexible lifestyle for yourself. I am lucky enough to only need a laptop and a broadband card to get my job done. This means I can travel and still work from anywhere I choose to go. What opportunities do you have now that you are working from home? Take a few moments to jot down some goals you have been putting off or some things you have always wanted to do. Are you going to spend this newfound free time watching TV or start living your dream?

Jenny Kerr is a Consultant, blogger, and professional online marketer with a passion for helping people find their "why" in life. The ability to create a flexible lifestyle opened up a whole new world of possibilities for her and she loves sharing her experiences with other like minded people. Read more about Jenny on her website at [http://jenkerr.com] and sign up for her newsletter to learn more.

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