~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Happy Mother’s Day to all reader Moms. Have a wonderful Sunday! Besides our usual tasty buffet of hand-picked home-based jobs and projects, today’s issue brings special alerts on hiring by Lionbridge (Internet Researchers) and Arise (UK-based customer service agents); news of a new book by Lisa Jones on exceptional Arapaho entrepreneur / healer / horse gentler Stanford Addison, on Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation; a heads-up on skyrocketing scams in Arizona; tips on how to find a literary agent; and a whole passel of fresh freebies. Enjoy, Good Luck, and Be Well. LIONBRIDGE AGAIN SEEKING PART-TIME INTERNET RESEARCHERS This morning we received a note from Lionbridge, a legitimate hirer of home-based workers in various roles, notifying us that they’re actively seeking US-based Internet Researchers. The company continues to accept applications for other countries as well. For details on the US positions, see job lead no. 1, below. For other countries, see lead no. 16. OUR $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD “REFER A FRIEND” GIVEAWAY ENDS SOON If you haven’t signed up yet for our $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway, better hurry -- the offer ends May 17! Entry’s easy -- All you have to do is refer a friend to RatRaceRebellion.com! To sign up now, just go to our home page and click on the Giveaway graphic on the left. CALL CENTER ARISE, GROWING IN UK, SEEKS “500 AT-HOME AGENTS BY YEAR’S END” As we reported in March, US-based virtual call center Arise is steadily hiring home-based customer service agents in the UK. Arise’s VP, International John Riordan confirmed this week in an interview at TMCnet.com that the company has hired “close to 500” agents so far, and expects to hire another 500 before the end of 2009. Like VIPdesk, LiveOps and others, Arise hires agents as independent contractors rather than employees. Each status has its pros and cons. For independent contractors, hourly wages may be higher, and individuals retain the autonomy of the self-employed. On the other hand, no benefits are offered, and training and other expenses are often borne by the agent. In other words, “one size doesn’t fit all,” and as always in job-hunting, your unique circumstances will matter most. (To compare customer service companies who hire home-based agents, see our chart of 85+ firms at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/CS_Comparison.html .) For details, see lead no. 5, below. EXCEPTIONAL ENTREPRENEURS -- STANFORD ADDISON, WIND RIVER RESERVATION Chris and I are always on the lookout for exceptional home-based entrepreneurs. They inspire us, and we like to share their stories. The habit persists from the early 2000s, when we ran a Microsoft-funded nonprofit fund on the side -- the Ovation Fund -- to support home-based entrepreneurs with disabilities. This week, reading the High Country News (as I often do to keep in touch with open spaces, and issues affecting the US West), I came across a reference to a freelance writer named Lisa Jones. Lisa, I was intrigued to learn, spent five years intermittently on Wyoming’s remote Wind River Reservation, learning about a Northern Arapaho Indian named Stanford Addison. Stanford, who according to Lisa spent his teenage years “busting broncs, seducing girls, and dealing drugs,” became a quadriplegic at the age of 20 when his truck ran into a herd of wild horses. Thirty years later -- now a renowned healer and “horse gentler” -- Stanford helps teenage reservation boys through their rough years from his motorized wheelchair -- with wild horses. (Stanford also runs clinics for the public; see links below for details.) Lisa has written a book about Stanford and her experience on the Wind River Reservation, “Broken – A Love Story,” just released by Scribner’s. I emailed Lisa for a review copy, and can’t wait to read it and review it here. An interview with Lisa will follow the review, so stay tuned! Links for more: • Lisa Jones, author of “Broken”: http://brokenalovestory.com/index.html • High Country News audio interview with Lisa Jones: http://www.hcn.org/articles/wind-river-revelations • Stanford Addison, and his ranch on the reservation: http://www.stanfordaddisonranch.com/ • About a PBS documentary on Stanford Addison, filmed by self-taught documentarian Angelique Midthunder: http://www.midthunder.com/SilentThunder.html • High Country News home page: http://hcn.org WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS UP 275% IN ARIZONA, NO. 1 ON ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LIST Complaints of work-at-home scams in Arizona shot up 275% in the first quarter of 2009, the state’s AG said this week, as reported in the Tucson Citizen. They also claimed the No. 1 spot on the AG’s complaint list. As bad as these stats are, they probably understate the reality. Research shows that most victims of work-at-home scams don’t report the fraud. The article attributes the rise in scams to higher unemployment and tough economic times, and these undoubtedly play a part. But Arizona also has a large Senior population, and decimated retirement funds and home values -- and rising medical costs -- spell vulnerability if not desperation. Lastly, who’s to say that scammers aren’t zeroing in on Arizona? Con artists are far more aware of demographic details than many people assume. For follow-up: -- The Tucson Citizen article on AZ scams: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/115865.php -- Some of our tips on how to spot and avoid scams: http://www.ratracerebellion.com/spottingscams.htm -- The FBI’s scambusting tips for Seniors: http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/seniorsfam.htm FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I’m a home-based writer. I’ve written my first book, and I need an agent. Where can I find one? R3: There are several options. First, many new writers find their agents at writers conferences. As you might expect, some conferences are harder to get into -- and offer better value for money -- than others, and costs vary. (Bread Loaf, held at Middlebury College in Vermont, is one of the most prestigious.) If you Google “writers conferences” (with the quotes), you’ll find plenty to start with. Conferences are also listed at such aggregator sites as http://writing.shawguides.com/. Another option is to network through other writers (who already have an agent), librarians, popular bloggers (a number of whom are writing books now), etc. Many established agents prefer to find new clients through referrals rather than the “slush pile” (unsolicited manuscripts). Finally, check such sites as Preditors & Editors (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/), Everyone Who’s Anyone (http://www.everyonewhosanyone.com/) and Absolute Write (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/) for the gist on good and bad apples, contact information, agents’ quirks and preferences, etc. (A number of agents also have their own blogs. Google will show the way.) You can always query agents “cold” (i.e., slush pile), and although it may take awhile via any route to find and land the agent who fits you best, sites like these will help you shorten the path considerably, and avoid missteps, too. Bonus tip: Publishers Marketplace can tell you a lot about the author-agent-editor merry-go-round, and trends in publishing. Remember, it’s a business, and the more you know, the better off you’ll be. For details, see http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/. MOST INANE EMAIL SUBJECT LINE OF THE WEEK Like Bill Gates and the Jonas Brothers, I get a lot of email. Most of it is spam, so periodically I pick out the most inane subject line of the week. The prize is a 30-minute 1983 promotional audiotape from Chuck E. Cheese. This week’s winner is: “Hey. Wanna look unbelievably in that bikini?” (I assume they’re referring to this conservative office bikini, which I wear when I read my email, but as a man, I resent the implication that I don’t already look unbelievably.) FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Here’s a fresh batch of freebies and cheapies, brought in by our overworked, abused, resentful, sullen and vengeful research team. And who can blame them? (Fine Print: If you see something you like, be sure to grab it quick, as free stuff goes quickly on the Net. Don’t-Shoot-the-Messenger footnote: We have no control over supplies, or when the vendors decide to halt their offers or fulfillment. Sorry!) Enjoy! -- Free sample Oxyfresh toothpaste: http://www.knockoutbadbreath.com/site/1395773/page/567211 -- Free Mars products coupons every Friday thru September: http://www.realchocolate.com/ -- Free Arby's Roastburger with beverage purchase: Text ROASTBURGER to 27297 (ARBYS) and receive a text "coupon" to your cell phone. You have to show the message on your phone at the time of purchase. -- If you don’t already have a free CVS “Extra Care” discount card, sign up at http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/home/home.jsp (don’t forget to opt in for email specials), and use it every time you shop there. Besides store discounts, CVS awards 2% of in-store purchases and online pharmacy orders to your Extra Care account, and every three months the cash-register receipt will include these “Extra Bucks” for CVS purchases. (So be sure to check your receipts!) -- CVS Extra Care cardholders: Check your in-box this week for a “Mother’s Day” coupon for $3 off any purchase of $15 or more. (Here in Northern Va., mine is good till May 10; don’t know if offers vary by location.) Other coupons included. Mother's Day (5/10/09) Freebie Bonuses -- T.G.I.Fridays -- free Brownie Obsession or Spiced Up Cupcake for Mom with entree purchase: http://www.fridays.com/promos/momday09.aspx?source=home -- Ikea -- free breakfast and coffee for moms: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/ For our daily freebies, go to http://www.ratracerebellion.com/freebies.htm. RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you want to give me a Mother’s Day present, join the Marine Corps!” -- The editor’s dear departed Mom, Capt. Mary Fordney, USMC. Give ‘em hell, Mom. 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” too! 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. US-Based Internet Researchers for Lionbridge Technologies Lionbridge wrote us this morning announcing an active recruiting drive for part-time, temporary Internet Researchers, aka “Assessors” or “Raters.” “The Rater role involves evaluating results of a web search, for appropriateness to search query input.” For more: http://www.lionbridge.com/lionbridge/en-us/company/web-site/internet-assessors.htm 2. Spanish Language Subject Matter Expert/Writers JHT, Inc. is looking for Spanish Language Subject Matter Expert/Writers "to provide written content for the purpose of teaching Spanish Language to Middle and High School students." For more: http://tinyurl.com/cc46tw 3. Medical Transcriptionists eTransPlus is seeking MTs with at least two years’ acute-care experience. For more: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=17509 4. Freelance Designers Hudson Union, Inc. is looking for talented freelance Designers for upcoming projects. Must have expertise in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. For more: http://www.krop.com/jobs/p6mq8/ 5. Arise to Hire 500 Agents in UK US-based virtual call center Arise seeks to hire approximately 500 home-based customer service agents by the end of this year. The recruiting effort marks an expansion of the “homeshoring” movement in the UK, which in the US alone is predicted to reach 300,000 agents by 2010. For details on Arise’s UK plans, see a recent TMCnet.com article at http://tinyurl.com/c5mx8x For Arise UK, see the link below. For more: http://www.arise.com/uk/ukhome.asp 6. Translator -- Canadian French Fossil is looking for a part-time French-Canadian Copywriter to translate documents from English to Canadian French. For more: http://tinyurl.com/crmry6 7. News Transcribers Morningside Partners seeks home-based Transcribers to "produce verbatim transcripts for media clients such as CNN, FOX and MSNBC." For more: http://www.fdch.com/careers.htm 8. Tech Journalist About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a Tech Journalist as a part-time Guide to cover "Perl, camcorders, digital video recording, mobile games, Nintendo DS, and portable electronics." Pays $675/mo. plus bonuses based on traffic. For more: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=625412 9. Dispatcher (Manitoba, CAN) Complete Health Care is looking for a home-based dispatcher. For more: http://tinyurl.com/cjt3s4 10. Chinese and Japanese Advanced Placement Program (AP) Readers for Educ. Testing Service ETS seeks Chinese and Japanese AP Readers to score high school students' proficiency in Chinese or Japanese. For more: http://tinyurl.com/csrenn 11. “Senior Provider Install Administrator” UnitedHealth Group is looking for a Senior Provider Install Administrator to lead a mass contracting TriCare project from intake to implementation. For more: http://tinyurl.com/cmhc2u 12. Writers for CBSSports.com NFL Correspondent Network "The CBSSports.com NFL Correspondent Network is a unique opportunity whereby sports journalists will be given the chance to provide in-depth coverage of NFL teams as fully credentialed members of the press corps." For more: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1051313 13. Senior Medical Writer Tiro Group (a search firm) has posted an ad for a client who seeks a Senior Medical Writer. Writer will work on an Oncology account. For more: http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=80151739& 14. Sports Journalist About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a Sports Journalist as a part-time Guide. This freelance position pays a base of $675/mo. plus bonuses for traffic. For more: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=625412 15. Financial At-Home Transcriber Morningstar Partners has posted an ad for a Financial At-Home Transcriber. Must be deadline-oriented. For more: http://www.fdch.com/careers.htm 16. Internet Researchers for Lionbridge (Numerous Countries) Lionbridge continues to advertise for part-time Internet researchers (aka Internet “Assessors” or “Raters”) from a variety of countries. “The Rater role involves evaluating results of a web search, for appropriateness to search query input.” Apart from the US (see lead no. 1, above), the countries and languages include: Albania (Albanian); Austria (German); Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani); Belgium (French); China (Chinese Simplified); Czech Republic (Czech); Egypt (Arabic); Ethiopia (Amharic); Faro Islands (Faroese); France (French); Iceland (Icelandic); Ireland (Irish); Italy (Italian); India (English); India (Marathi); India (Telugu); Japan (Japanese); Kazakhstan (Kazakh); Mongolia (Mongolian); Morocco (French); Nigeria (English); Norway (Norwegian); Peru (Quechan); Russia (Russian); Russia (Tatar); Saudi (Arabia Arabic); Slovakia (Slovak); South Africa (Afrikaans); South Africa (English); South Africa (Zulu); Spain (Basque); Spain (Spanish); Sweden (Swedish); The Netherlands (Dutch); Turkey (Turkish); United Arab Emirates (Arabic); United Kingdom (English); United States (Chinese Simplified); Wales (Welsh) For more: http://www.lionbridge.com/lionbridge/en-US/company/web-site/internet-assessors.htm 17. Director, Provider Connectivity UnitedHealth Care is looking for a Director, Provider Connectivity to take direct responsibility for a large-scale project. For more: http://tinyurl.com/dycg9c 18. Freelance Writer Multicultural Reports Mintel is looking for a freelance Writer with knowledge of consumer marketing in multicultural settings. For more: http://tinyurl.com/cnn2w3 19. Technology Writer for New Zealand-based Magazine INTERFACE magazine is looking for a writer to post a daily news item to their website. For more: http://www.writerfind.com/freelance_jobs/job6012.htm 20. Physician Reviewers Permedion seeks "qualified physicians of every specialty to be part of our Independent Medical Review panel. Requirements to join our panel include MD or DO, board certification in specialty, and actively practicing in the United States." For more: http://www.hmspermedion.com/PhysicianReviewer.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.