~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The recession grinds on, but so do the rest of us, so herewith another bulletinized “bras d’honneur” for the economic trolls. This week brings “Weasles Gone Wild” (more in a moment), a revisit with home-based translation guru and author Corinne McKay, 20 hand-picked work-at-home leads, and even a tip on where to get a free Cartoon Network ball to bounce off the wall when things get maelstromy. Enjoy, Good Luck, and Be Well. “WEASLES GONE WILD” – FBI, UK ISSUE WORK-AT-HOME SCAM ALERTS Tough economic times spell “salad days” for scammers, and work-at-home scams – which have been with us since Adam and Eve (the snake was the scammer – “Here, just eat this apple, and you can process rebates from home”) – are surging internationally. Just this week, the FBI issued a public alert, and today the BBC reported that the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is alarmed as well. The FBI alert mentions many current scams, including fencing operations (repackaging of merchandise bought with stolen credit cards, for shipment abroad), pre-funded “mystery shopper” cons (victims receive bogus checks to use for shopping, with instructions to wire “leftover funds” abroad), etc. Several popular scams didn’t make it to the FBI list, however, and you’ll need to beware of those, too. They include the snake’s rebate processing scam (victims pay to learn how to “process rebates” from home, but in reality must make affiliate sales to earn any money), and “eBay auction specialist” scams (more sales roles, plus a risk of default by third-party vendors, leaving victims on the hook to auction buyers). The BBC article cites envelope stuffing (a perennial) and craft assembly (the victim buys a kit, but the seller rarely or never purchases the finished product). "Our research shows that over 300,000 people each year are falling victim” to work-at-home scams in the UK, the OFT adds. Back here in the US, the Better Business Bureau is also focusing increasingly on work-at-home scams, citing rebate-processing scams in particular. Mystery Shopper Scam Fresh in the Inbox Just this morning I received another “mystery shopper” scam email, offering to give me the money to go shopping. (Whee! I love shopping! NOT.) Just fyr, here’s the “hook” paragraph: “Once we have a contract [with you], you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job (either purchase merchandise or require services), after which you would write a detailed report of your experience.” If that bait didn’t quite get you, more follows: “You will be paid a commission of $100 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.” The email prattles on (over 700 words), and strikes an HR-like tone. One of the giveaways, however, is that the “company” includes no website link, and the corporate “contact person” gives a Gmail address. Other red flags are the lack of a salutation in the opening (though some scammers may open with your name), odd language here and there (“a commission… for every duty you carry out”), and the sender was a stranger. For follow-up: -- For the FBI alert, see http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel09/workathomescams020309.htm. -- For the BBC / OFT article, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7875785.stm. -- To report a scam in the US, go to http://www.ic3.gov/. You can also contact your state attorney general’s office, and the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov). -- For tips and advice from the OFT, go to http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/. -- To search BBB reports, go to http://search.bbb.org/. INTERVIEW WITH CORINNE McKAY -- "HOW TO BECOME A HOME-BASED TRANSLATOR" Expert translator and author Corinne McKay first appeared here in May 2006. Since many people have foreign language skills, but aren't sure how to go into home-based translation, we touched base with Corinne recently for an update. I'll let Corinne reintroduce herself in her own words. "I am an ATA-certified French to English translator, still based in Boulder, Colorado. The focus of my translation business is on legal, corporate communications and international development translations for law firms, international development organizations and translation companies. In addition to working as a translator, I teach classes for people who want to become translators, serve as the President of the Colorado Translators Association (www.cta-web.org), and published the book 'How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator' in 2006." (For more on Corinne, see her website at http://www.translatewrite.com, or her blog, “Thoughts on Translation,” at http://www.thoughtsontranslation.com.) RRR: Just to recap, how did you get started in freelance translating, and who were your top entrepreneurial role models? CORINNE McKAY: I taught high school French for 8 years, then after my daughter was born, I decided to find a work-from-home job where I could use French. My first day as a freelancer, I opened up the Yellow Pages to "Translators and Interpreters" and started making phone calls, then over the course of my first year I cold-contacted over 400 potential clients, plus joined two translators associations and a local freelancers group. I'd say my best role models were other people in the local freelancers group; people who had thriving businesses, loved their work and made their own decisions. RRR: Here in the US, with increased immigration more and more people are bilingual. How would you recommend that people with good foreign language skills get started as home-based translators? CORINNE McKAY: For beginners, some type of credential or experience is really useful. Translation certificate programs are becoming more popular, and New York University even offers one online. Translator certification, offered through the American Translators Association (www.atanet.org) is helpful too, although not a must-have. Finding a mentor who's established in the business is another excellent option. Freelance business management is also essential, something I cover in my book, "How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator." After that, it's time to find some clients! Cold-contacting and networking are the keys here. Beginners should become active in associations (such as local chapters of the ATA) for translators, and for freelancers in general. Contact every translation company in your area and ask for an interview; find translation companies on the web and apply through their websites; contact businesses who work in countries where your languages are spoken; set a goal of contacting at least 500 potential clients during your first year in business. Use Web 2.0 tools like LinkedIn or your own blog to help you connect with prospective clients: offer to answer their questions about translation and you're instantly the expert! RRR: What range of income can freelance translators expect to earn during their first few years of work, and after they've gained experience, in exchange for how many hours per week of work? Has the recession impacted the flow of work? CORINNE McKAY: Fortunately, the translation industry doesn't seem to have been hit by the worldwide economic downturn as of yet; many translators have even seen an increase in their workload. Definitely plan on a startup phase of six months to a year, during which you will be marketing yourself assertively. The average full-time freelance translator in the US earns a bit over $60,000 a year; a figure that I would say is very achievable if you have excellent translation and business management skills and market yourself in the right places. More and more translators are earning six-figure incomes (see my blog for a post entitled "Secrets of Six-Figure Translators") and even for someone working part-time on a flexible schedule, I think that income of $25,000-$40,000 is quite realistic. RRR: What are your favorite "Dos and Don'ts" for aspiring freelance translators? CORINNE McKAY: Do: -Set up a professional-looking website. Focus on something clean-looking and informative and prominently state your language pair(s). -Meet as many other translators as you can. Learn from them and build their trust so that they will refer clients to you. Even if you live in a remote area or move around a lot, get involved online by joining LinkedIn groups or participating in forums on sites like ProZ.com or TranslatorsCafe.com. -Offer a range of services: of course translation, but maybe you can also help clients save time and money by reviewing their foreign-language documents and determining which ones need to be translated, or by summarizing documents so that the client can get a general idea of their content. Don't: -Accept too little return for too little marketing effort. Aim to contact 500 clients during your first year in business; cast a wide net and apply to a variety of corporations and translation companies in your source and target language countries. Let the current economic news get you down. Remember, people don't start speaking another language just because money is tight; market yourself as a money and time saver, not as a money pit. RRR: Where can people go to learn more about becoming a freelance translator? CORINNE McKAY: -The American Translators Association (www.atanet.org) administers translator certification in the U.S. and is the main professional association for US-based translators. -ProZ (www.proz.com) is a large translation job board and portal; it's not always the best source of work, but the information on the site is excellent. -My website www.translatewrite.com and my blog www.thoughtsontranslation.com have free articles for freelance translators and information about my book and course for beginning and aspiring translators. ### PUBLISHERS DITCH FREE BULLETINS (AS REBELLIOUS RATS HOLD FIRM…BUT FOR HOW LONG?) The recession is making free newsletters and similar publications a luxury that publishers can’t afford. BusinessWeek recently announced that bulletins covering business in Asia and Europe would be eliminated, joining the Washington Post’s erstwhile stand-alone Book World. I suspect that many other publishers are quietly dropping free bulletins, as the recession’s bite hits bone. Here at the Rat Race Rebellion, Chris and I hope to continue to publish this bulletin, which is also free to readers. Since it’s advertiser-supported, we ask only that, if you find it useful, you share it with friends, family or clients. FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Ecco this week’s giveaways, wrangled in from cyber country by our dogged band of freebie drovers. If you see something you like, snatch it fast, as free stuff goes quickly on the Web. (Sorry, but we have no control over supplies, or when the vendors decide to halt their offers or fulfillment.) Enjoy! Free Beyond BodiHeat (air-activated heat pad): http://www.beyondbodiheat.com/htmls/pre_free_sample_new.asp (email confirmation and brief survey required) Free Airborne (cold remedy) Original Zesty Orange: http://www.airbornehealth.com/promotions_original.php Free mini tire pressure gauge (requires in-store visit to Buell Motorcycles): http://www.buell.com/en_us/get-yours/special-offers/tire-gauge/ Free Cartoon Network Red Rubber Ball (and a chance at $10K for your child's school): http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/promos/getanimated/index.html Free 4-track CD sampler featuring pianist Jim Brickman: http://www.jimbrickman.com/tabid/109/Default.aspx For more free gratis freebies, go to http://www.ratracerebellion.com/freebies.htm RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I am looking for a more merciful way of living.” -- Garrison Keillor, in his new novel, “Liberty” Rebelliously Yours, Michael Michael D. Haaren, Editor-in-Chief The Rat Race Rebellion =>=> New Leads for Home-Based Jobs and Projects <=<= *Editor’s Note: All positions are screened, but we can’t of course “guarantee” the legitimacy of any hirer or lead, so please do your own ‘due diligence’ as well! Also, please note that on occasion the hirer will decide to change the description or the availability of the job or project shortly AFTER the summary is published here. (Unfortunately, we have no control over this.) Therefore, be sure to read the underlying ad carefully, and apply promptly for any job that interests you. 1. Kelly Services / Home-Based Contact Center Agents Kelly Services is accepting applications for at-home contact center agents. Go to the page linked below for “At Home Job Requirements,” then click on the “Get started now!” link in the left column. For more: http://tinyurl.com/cx8b7e. 2. Student Advisor / Online Education “Fully accredited post-secondary career training institute seeks a Full-Time Student Advisor to advise online students in Associate and Bachelor degree programs.” For more: http://boston.ipsojobs.com/student-advisor-online-education/job/1-77481 3. VIPdesk “Financial Services Representatives” for Inbound Calls VIPdesk is accepting applications for training classes for Financial Services Representative positions. Applicants must reside in one of the following: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia. Representatives “provide high-quality customer service by handling inbound customer calls inquiring about their credit card accounts and by offering additional assistance and services that enhance their overall experience. Successful Financial Services Representatives are enthusiastic and have a passion for customer service, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/92c8kt 4. Medical Transcriptionists Webmedx seeks MTs with at least 2 years’ acute-care experience. For more: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=17040 5. Academic Department Chair, Criminal Investigations & Criminology Kaplan University is looking for an Academic Dept. Chair, Criminal Investigations & Criminology, who will manage “the full and part-time faculty primarily responsible for teaching Criminal Investigations and Criminology.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/bxq8hm 6. Full-Time Management Faculty Kaplan University seeks full-time Management Faculty. “The Full Time Teaching Faculty member for bachelor level courses in the School of Business and Management teach a total of 14 courses in the each year with emphasis placed on the success of students, mentoring of faculty, and curriculum design.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/dx76fb 7. Labeling Editors (to label websites) Lionbridge seeks part-time Labeling Editors. “This is a work from home position requiring attentive and motivated individuals. It involves labeling websites based on given criteria. The successful candidate will work within a web-based application comparing user search engine queries and advertiser keywords with website landing pages.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/d9edt6 8. Segmentation Editors Lionbridge seeks Segmentation Editors (“to build query segments”) “in the following target markets: German-Germany, Spanish-Spain, Spanish-Mexico, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, English-United States, Dutch-Netherlands, English-Australia. Initial 6 month position with the likelihood of ongoing work. Location: N/A (Home-based work)” “Project Language: English.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/bacehk ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chris and Mike here -- Do you need writing experience to qualify for freelance writing, blogging, proofreading or editorial jobs? Want to demonstrate your expertise for hiring managers or prospective clients? We recommend Helium (it’s free). You can get writing experience with an easy-to-start blog, and be eligible for compensation while you learn. You can also choose among many popular topics, and build your credentials while you write about what interests you. For more, visit http://www.helium.com/?ad=680&placement=HAP002 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Freelance Statistics Writer Aplia, a division of Cengage Learning, is looking for a Content Writer for Statistics. For more: http://tinyurl.com/auct7s 10. Medical Transcriptionists Transcription, Technology and Support seeks MTs with at least 3 years’ acute-care experience. For more: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=17048 11. XHTML/CSS Designer - Developer Crowd Fusion is looking for Developer. “Ideal candidate has superb skills in XHTML and CSS, a working knowledge of JavaScript, SVN, web design experience, and is comfortable with webpage templating principles.” For more: http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/3264/ 12. “Progress OpenEdge DBA” COMSYS seeks a “Progress OpenEdge DBA for a 3 month contract to hire position. The person working in this role can work 100% remote from anywhere in the United States.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/bafksx 13. Telemarketers Telemarketing firm Brighten Communications is looking for Telemarketers. “The position entails cold calling businesses doing appointment setting and lead generation for our business clients and requires an aggressive, friendly personality, and sales skills.” Pay starts at $12 per hour. “Pay is hourly, not commission based.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/aunc9x 14. Google Quality Raters - French Language - Belgium (US or CAN work authorization) Google continues to seek part-time, temporary Quality Raters with “an in depth and up-to-date familiarity with the French-speaking Belgium web culture and media.” Position involves evaluating quality of search engine results. For more: http://tinyurl.com/d7oues 15. Writer on “15-Minute Fashion” About.com, owned by the NY Times, continues to seek a part-time Writer (“Guide”) to cover “15-Minute Fashion.” About.com reports that Guides earn on average $1,000 per month. For more: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm 16. VIPdesk Customer Service Agents (“Brand Ambassadors”) VIPdesk continues to advertise for Brand Ambassadors for customer-service calls. “No outbound sales calls”; calls are predominantly inbound. For more: https://www.vipdesk.com/connectrecruiting/ 17. Call Center Agents for Pizza Orders, etc. LiveOps continues to seek home-based agents to take “casual dining” orders. “These calls involve processing delivery and carry out orders for pizza and other casual dining vendors. Applicants with previous experience in a fast-paced order environment are preferred.” For more: http://www.liveops.com/become-agent/current-opp.html#dining 18. Academic Chair, Criminal Justice Foundations Kaplan University seeks an Academic Chair, CJ Foundations. “[S]erves as the manager of the full and part-time faculty primarily responsible for teaching CJ 100, Eight Skills for an Effective Online Learner.” For more: http://tinyurl.com/c2emcm 19. Arise UK - Customer Service Agents Arise continues to advertise for home-based customer service agents in the UK. For more: http://www.arise.com/uk/ukhome.asp 20. Writer on “Flea Markets & Yard Sales” About.com, owned by the NY Times, continues to seek a part-time Writer (“Guide”) on Flea Markets & Yard Sales. About.com reports that Guides earn on average $1,000 per month. For more: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm ******************************* That’s this week’s issue, Dear Reader. Until next week’s issue, don’t forget to visit us for fresh job leads at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/job_postings.htm ! Rebelliously Yours, Michael -- Michael D. Haaren, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief Staffcentrix, LLC Email: mhaaren@staffcentrix.com Co-author of the bestseller on working from home as a Virtual Assistant, THE 2-SECOND COMMUTE, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.2secondcommute.com. See what else we’re up to on the Web, at http://www.WAHBoom.com (our new work-at-home site for Boomers), http://www.msvas.com (our Military Spouse Virtual Assistant community), and http://www.fse-entrepreneur.com (our Foreign Service spouse e-Entrepreneur community). ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ All contents copyright 2008 Staffcentrix, LLC, "The most trusted name in home-based careers."(TM, SM) All rights reserved.