~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This week we have some pretty good horses in the corral. (I’m afraid I can’t help the horse imagery. I watched “Misty of Chincoteague” again last night with my daughter Jazz, for the 687th time. Neighhhhhh!) You’ll find a new series of excerpts from our popular manual for Virtual Assistants, “The 2-Second Commute”; a tip on what’s up with all the “rebate processor” ads proliferating across the Net; a “spam humor” piece for a lighter moment; some suggestions on where to find “the skinny” on working for companies like LiveOps, VIPdesk, etc.; and more! Plus, a smorgasbord of virtual jobs and freelance projects hand-picked by your dedicated chefs here at Staffcentrix. Enjoy, and good luck with the job hunt! MEDIA BEAT -- CHRIS SELECTED AS “AMERICA’S ULTIMATE EXPERT ON HOME-BASED WORK” BY WOMAN’S WORLD MAGAZINE Chris and I got some nice news this week, with her selection by Woman’s World magazine as “America’s Ultimate Expert on Home-Based Work.” She was featured along with several other experts in their issue of March 31 (page 23). Thank you, Woman’s World! REBATE PROCESSOR JOBS (CONT’D.) Home-based rebate processor jobs have become a hot topic among jobseekers, as ads have been appearing on websites and blogs across the Internet. (You may have seen some on our own site, too, among the Google ads, which Google itself determines. For more detail on the differences between ads and our screened job leads, please see our FAQ page, at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/FAQ.html .) We covered the subject of rebate processor jobs in our March 13 issue, but for readers who missed it or have joined us since then, let me recap the main points here. First, the jobs that most people would consider “rebate processing” are rare, and the hirers have long waiting lists. Second, many “rebate processor” job ads actually involve “sales opportunities” (selling things online), which is explained in more detail after you pay a fee. Your sales (assuming you make any) may involve a rebate, which you “process” after the transaction. Many people are interested in rebate processor ads because they’re looking for home-based data entry jobs -- which are also extremely scarce. Our advice? If data entry work is what you’re looking for, there may not be many “jobs” in the field, but there is plenty of data entry work. The catch is that you have to be proactive, and reach out and persuade the companies to outsource it to you. (In other words, most companies do not advertise for off-site data entry assistance, regardless of need.) If you’re willing to do this, then consider approaching smaller businesses who are on a growth curve. In many cases, their administrative workflow has outpaced the growth of staff, and there may be a role for a “White Knight” -- you -- to help out. “WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK FOR (LIVEOPS, VIPDESK, CHACHA, ETC.)?” Many readers who are looking for home-based jobs would like to know what it’s like to work for LiveOps, or VIPdesk, or some of the other virtual employers we mention here and at RatRaceRebellion.com. As our “veteran” readers know, we occasionally run interviews with the hirers themselves (e.g., VIPdesk CEO Mary Naylor, Arise VP Mary Bartlett, etc.), and in the near future we’ll be interviewing the employees and contractors, too, for the “insider view.” Jobhunters should also seek out other perspectives on specific jobs and employers, as you can never have “too much” information about what you may be doing for a living. Fortunately, multiple perspectives aren’t hard to find. Some of the sites we like for diverse discussions of “A Day in My Life at [good / bad / hideous virtual company]” are wahm.com, cafemom.com, and workplacelikehome.com . However, keep in mind as you read the discussions that, as with any employment relationship, “your mileage may vary, ” and that a job / supervisor / application process that is or isn’t working out for sitemember x might turn out the opposite for you. “SPAM HUMOR” BREAK -- WHEN EMAIL SUBJECT LINES AND CONTENT CLASH With all the research and related website sign-ups that we do, Chris and I are smothered in spam, which now even arrives in multiple languages. (The emails that come in Cyrillic and Chinese are particularly wasteful, as we don’t speak those languages; we’re fluent only in English, and a few of the more common click languages of the Bushmen of the Kalahari. Chris, who spent many years watching a children’s show named “ZOOM,” can also speak Ubbi Dubbi.) But spam needn’t always add stress to your day. As with everything else in life (traffic, housework, bathroom scales, etc.), it really helps if you keep your sense of humor. Here are some of our favorites plucked from this week’s tide. There seems a peculiar dissonance between the images suggested by their subject line, and the first line of their text. Subject line of email: I love you First line of text: No prescription required. Subject line of email: Experience a pleasure that’s uniquely yours First line of text: Start your membership with 12 sample-size packages of our favorite coffees. Subject line of email: Business loans from reliable banks First line of text: Find the right fuunding for your business. Subject line of email: We’ve reviewed your website First line of text: Hello mhaaren Subject line of email: Want your love back? First line of text: We dispatching world-wide! Subject line of email: Purses First line of text: Look classy with a replica watch! Subject line of email: Put spice back in your life! First line of text: I’m bored. HOW TO BECOME A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT -- A NEW SERIES OF EXCERPTS FROM OUR HOW-TO FOR VAs, “THE 2-SECOND COMMUTE” Over the past year, Chris and I have received an increasing number of queries from people who’d like to know more about the Virtual Assistant field. Beginning with today’s Bulletin, we’ll be excerpting chapters and other relevant sections from our popular how-to for Virtual Assistants, “The 2-Second Commute,” which is based on the 15-hour virtual careers training programs we developed for the US Armed Forces and the Department of State. So without further ado, away we go. Hope you enjoy it! *** Chapter 1 Why Become a Virtual Assistant? Virtual Assistants log on at their home-based desks for a variety of reasons. Some have obligations or limitations or preferences that keep them at home (children, elderly parents, lack of transportation, physical mobility issues), others are living in areas where meaningful career opportunities are few (rural areas, developing countries), some do so out of environmental convictions, and still others simply find that being an “employee” simply doesn’t fit.... Whatever the reason, once the decision is made, a successful VA enjoys some great perks: control over her life, doing only the work he loves, working only with the clients she chooses, flexibility in the work schedule for family, friends, and personal interests, and no commute. (In gridlocked places like Northern Virginia, where co-author Mike lives and where the commutes can reach four or more hours a day, this can be a decisive consideration.) Yet of all the motives we’ve heard, in our opinion the most powerful for becoming a VA is for the individual’s personal and professional freedom and growth. Freedom: The Personal Side Why is it that when we see people with a true entrepreneurial spirit, an authentic sense of independence, there often seems to be a glow about them that no amount of fatigue or stress can overcome? The aura of some core joy seems to come shining through, no matter how heavy the responsibility that sits on their shoulders. (And some people, such as entrepreneurs with severe disabilities, are overcoming more challenges than most of us will ever know. Yet that core happiness still emerges, still prevails!) Strange as it might sound, could it be that the air of enthusiasm and eagerness we see in them has been liberated by the day-to-day circumstances of their lives, their own “nine-to-five” routine? In that single phrase is the key, we think, to the puzzle, because entrepreneurs have no routine. For an entrepreneur, the “routine” that other people submit to, and endure, and reenact day by day -- and grow so bored with and often literally sick of -- is play, and creativity, and, even better, self-indulgence. Because getting up in the morning to do something you like is self-indulgent. It’s like eating your favorite dessert, or playing your favorite sport, or embracing those you love. After all, this is your company, your business -- a part of yourself -- and running it and shepherding it and parenting it into the future is a tonic, a stimulant, and a provocation to do better and exceed your limits -- every day. This is the deeply personal side of entrepreneurial freedom, the kind that liberates the spirit, too, and beckons the whole self to be free. (Though beyond the scope of this book, we believe there is most certainly a spiritual aspect to entrepreneurship, and that “good work done well” can definitely help unfetter the spirit. Just ask any artist or craftsperson. To do work that has no spiritual component, in our view, is ultimately empty, and can quite soon end up “emptying” the person doing the work!) Freedom: The Professional Side Most of us have “worked for someone else” at some point in our lives, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with having a job, if that’s what you really want or need, and if you understand what you’re giving up in exchange. Jobs can be a blessing for people who like guidance and structure, for people who prefer a fixed routine or working in group environments, for people who like supervision. (Employment, of course, used to be a source of security, too -- the comforting “pensions” of yesteryear -- but that has become a rather quaint concept, these days.) For the entrepreneurially-minded, however, “employment” can be a curse, a brake, an intensely frustrating and horizon-limiting experience. (Co-author Chris, for example, used to work as a business manager in a small office. Often, when she suggested new procedures to make the business run more effectively, she’d be met with, “It’s working fine. We’ve been doing it this way for years!” Change is a fearful experience for those who are “employees” at heart, and the entrepreneur may often find herself stymied as she struggles to improve the organization. Nor will it help if the suggestions are being made by a woman, if the company is dominated by “old-school” men.) The self-employed, however -- the independent-minded, the “chart-my-own-course” and “don’t-fence-me-in” types -- are free to be as creative and innovative as they like, free to set their own schedules and workloads, free to say “no” when they feel like it, or to say “yes” and not ask anyone’s “permission” when they want to take a break, or a “mental health day,” or a much-needed vacation. *** (From “The 2-Second Commute,” by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren. Published by Career Press. Copyright 2005 Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.) For more detail on Virtual Assistance, see our page at RatRaceRebellion.com: http://www.ratracerebellion.com/VirtualAssistant.htm . FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I live in the US and am in the process of setting up a home-based business as a Website designer. Could you tell me if and where I might need to register my business? R3: While I’m afraid we can’t offer legal advice (I used to be a lawyer but am in rehab now), registration policies and practices vary widely by location. Check with your local town hall and, if you have one nearby, a Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Both should be able to tell you what you need to do. For more on SBDCs, including where to find one in your area, go here: http://tinyurl.com/26neg2 . FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Herewith this week’s frugalities, from our team of eagle-eye penny-pinchers. Enjoy! -- Lacoste fragrance for men sample (International; select your country, then click on “Try It Now”): http://www.lacoste-essential.com/index.php -- Maybelline “Mineral Power” liquid foundation sample (US): http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid31404.aspx -- Xcid Antacid sample (US): http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid30900.aspx -- Free pack of baseball cards on March 29, “National Baseball Card Day” (probably US only): http://tinyurl.com/2exvvy -- “Moon Sparkle” fragrance sample (US and Europe): http://www.escada-fragrances.com/moonsparkle/us/request_sample.html RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Never disregard a book because the author of it is a foolish fellow.” -- Lord Melbourne 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! All positions are paid unless otherwise noted. The amount of compensation is included in the summary when given in the underlying lead. 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. Google Business Referral Representatives (US) ||||| Google is looking for independent Business Referral Representatives to visit and photograph local businesses. “You can earn up to $10 for each approved, verified referral you submit.” Pays monthly. “All you need to be a successful Business Referral Representative is a passion for helping local businesses succeed, a love for the Internet (some knowledge of Google is great, too), and access to a computer and a digital camera.” => Learn More: http://www.google.com/services/local-business-referrals/repfaq.html#signup <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 2. Trend Spotters and Professional Shoppers (International) ||||| ClickNwork, which provides trend spotting services to companies, is looking for Trend Spotters and Professional Shoppers. Quoting from the lead: -- Most of this work takes place in the US and Europe, but we also undertake global investigations that cover hundreds of locations around the world. -- We need people experienced in trend spotting (brand and market evolution and innovation specialists) that can write clearly about it, bringing together findings from our researchers around the world. -- We also have a need for people that can visit stores and malls regularly. => Learn More: http://www.clicknwork.com/trendspotters.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 3. Hawaii Guidebook Writer (“Live in or near Hawaii”) ||||| US-based Avalon Travel, a travel book publisher, is looking for a Hawaii Guidebook Writer. “The writer should live in or near Hawaii or must have very close ties to the state and visit often. The writer must be very knowledgeable about the state's attractions, should be able to provide strategic planning advice for travelers, and should have previous experience writing about Hawaii.” => Learn More: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=899674 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 4. Medical Writer ||||| US-based staffing agency WAI is advertising for a Medical Writer. “[The client] is seeking the services of a medical writer to assist in the creation of a results study conducted on their innovative osteoporosis assessment method. This will be a combination of 5 validation studies and will be targeting journals specializing in musculoskeletal diseases and chronic disease.” => Learn More: http://www.maxhire.net/clients/mh188a/jobsearch_detail.asp?reference=3639 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 5. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based MedQuist Recruiting is looking for full- and part-time MTs with a HS diploma and 1 year’s experience (the job header says 2 years’, the text says 1) for “many types of transcription.” => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=15146 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 6. “Guide” on the German Language (Work from anywhere in the world) ||||| Information supersite About.com seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) on the German Language. “Applicants should be fluent in both German and English, and have previous experience teaching the German Language. Applicants should be strong writers, capable of explaining the complexities of grammar, alphabet, etc, clearly.” “Guides in the first two years of their contract - are guaranteed to make at least $725 per month, and it's likely that they will make much more than that over time.” => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 7. Technology Services Help Desk ||||| US-based transportation management firm MV Transportation is looking for Technology Services Help Desk Agents. “MVT’s Technology Services Team (help desk) is responsible for helping MVT internal customers achieve and sustain the availability of information systems that support their critical business processes as per IT service level agreements (SLA).” ”Technology Service Agents (TSA) are responsible for incoming support requests via telephone, voice mail or e-tickets. Their performance goals include fast, accurate problem resolution or escalation.” Requirements include at least 1 year’s experience “as part of a Customer Quality, workforce management, IT, project management, training or other call center operational team.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/yt7ewc <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~Advertisement~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 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, click here. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 8. Web / UI Designer (“Anywhere”) ||||| US-based web development company Varien seeks an exceptional Web / UI Designer “to create compelling site designs.” => Learn More: http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/2069/ <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 9. Expert in “Do it Yourself Fashion” (Work from anywhere in the world) ||||| Information supersite About.com seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) in Do it Yourself (“DIY”) Fashion. Journalism background useful as Guides must contribute significant amount of written material. “The primary audience for this site is women of all ages who want to perform basic repairs (e.g. hemming, mending a lining) or create fashions of their own.” “Guides in the first two years of their contract - are guaranteed to make at least $725 per month, and it's likely that they will make much more than that over time.” => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 10. Freelance Legal Editor (US-educated) ||||| A US-based for-profit education company is looking for a part- or full-time Legal Editor with a JD to research case law and edit legal content. => Learn More: http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=70064390 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 11. Flex / ActionScript 3 Pro (“Any country”) ||||| US-based (with international clients) Rich Applications Consulting is looking for a full-time Flex / ActionScript 3 Pro, with skills in “Adobe Flex / Java / Flex Data Services / ActionScript 3.” => Learn More: http://www.devbistro.com/jobs/70449 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 12. Senior Consultant for MySQL (US or CAN; “Frequent travel”) ||||| International open-source database firm MySQL seeks a Senior Consultant with at least 5 years’ database development experience. “The job is fast paced, requires very deep MySQL database technical skills, and involves frequent travel across North America to work with clients on site. The Consultant will deliver services with a special focus on Performance Tuning, High Availability, Scale-Out, Architecture & Design, Migration, and Proof of Concepts design and implementation. The Professional Services Consultant will work with other team members, customers, partners and sub-contractors, sales team and the engineering group to ensure successful delivery to our clients.” => Learn More: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=MYSQL&cws=1&rid=17 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 13. Managing Editor, Finance and Investing Editor to cover Silver Investing ||||| The Web-based publication Silver Monthly is looking for a “Managing Editor, Finance and Investing Editor” to contribute at least one piece per month. Pays $124. “Book reviews, editorial opinion, money and investing, market updates, how-to articles are all topics a managing editor can cover.” Enthusiasm and writing ability preferred. => Learn More: http://jobs.problogger.net/view/1169 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 14. Freelance Animator ||||| US-based branding firm The Delve Group seeks a freelance Animator “skilled in video / 3D animation.” => Learn More: http://www.creativehotlist.com/index.asp?linkTarget=fullJob.asp&jobID=117646 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 15. Partner - Policy and Research, for the “New Teacher Project” (US) ||||| The US-based nonprofit “New Teacher Project,” which works with universities, school districts and others to help recruit and train new teachers, is looking for a Partner - Policy and Research. Note -- Travel 35%-40%. “TNTP is hiring a Partner to lead its state and district level reform efforts. The Partner will report to the Vice President of Policy and Research. This position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to assume a national leadership role in teacher quality reform and to have a profound impact on the direction of TNTP’s policy endeavors.” Requirements include “[s]ignificant prior experience with high-level client management, preferably experience working closely with senior state and/or district education officials.” Salary $100,000 per year. => Learn More: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/271387-90 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 16. Prior Authorization Nurse for UnitedHealth Group company (US, may be AZ-limited) ||||| US-based Ovations, a UnitedHealth Group company, is looking for a Prior Authorization Nurse to “join the Phoenix, AZ team.” “The chosen candidate must be an RN with a current, unrestricted RN license. Prior authorization experience is also required. Additionally, you must possess experience in any of the following: Home Health MDS Coordination Hospital Utilization Review Concurrent Review Managed Care Appeals, Grievances and Denials” Bilingual in Spanish a plus. => Learn More: http://www.pr.com/job/3656977 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 17. Virtual Commissioned Travel Agents for American Express (US) ||||| American Express is looking for Travel Agents with “at least 2 years of leisure travel consultant experience as a business owner,as an independent travel agent or as a cruise specialist with proven sales success.” Benefits included. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/2th7bt <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 18. Freelance Writers, Financial Journalists, Forex Experts ||||| US-based currency exchange FXDD is looking for Freelance Writers, Financial Journalists, Forex Experts. “Pay for the position is by the word or project and will depend on writer-company negotiated arrangement. Per word rates are consistent with the highest offered by any publisher.” “Qualified candidate has an array of high-quality published clips and a desire to work on finance/trading stories and how to articles utilizing FXDD proprietary trading software.” => Learn More: http://jobs.fxdd.com/forex-writers.html <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 19. “KickApps Skinner” (“Anywhere”) ||||| Canada-based design team db5media seeks a KickApps Skinner to help a client build a site to educate children on the democratic process. “Looking for someone familiar with KickApps and able to style the app professionally and implement Recent Updates, News, Video, Blogs, Profiles, Photos, Arcade, Polls, Forums, Comments etc.” => Learn More: http://www.authenticjobs.com/jobs/2074/ <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 20. Web Searchers ||||| ClickNwork, which performs market research and similar services for companies, seeks Web Searchers. Quoting from the lead: -- All of our Web Searchers first have to pass rigorous tests. In addition to being able to precisely find information to answer complex business questions, Web Searchers must have good English. -- Most assignments are ad hoc requests, but there are some regular projects that can be done part-time. -- Pay ranges from US$5-11/hour. -- When recruiting web searchers we prefer those that are able to progress on to other types of work (data entry, chart preparation, writing etc). => Learn More: http://www.clicknwork.com/websearchers.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ******************************* 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.