~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This week marks a nice milestone for us (and we hope for you, too), as we topped 5,000 screened telework jobs and 20,000 positions at RatRaceRebellion.com, many of which were first featured here. Today’s issue also includes news of call center Arise recruiting home-based agents in the UK, the “coworking center” movement and how it makes telework an even better solution, proposed legislation to reduce car use in California, and “last but not least,” 20 hand-picked jobs and projects for prospective teleworkers internationally. Enjoy! Be Well! Good Luck! RAT RACE REBELLION TOPS 5,000 SCREENED WORK-AT-HOME JOBS, 20,000 POSITIONS Our hardworking team just set another milestone, topping 5,000 screened jobs and freelance projects on our website and here in our bulletin, representing an estimated 20,000 openings. (Many of our leads involve multiple openings.) Our site launched in February 2007. (All our resources are free, and we’re advertiser-supported, so please visit our advertisers today!) UK PM’S NEW POLICY EXPECTED TO DOUBLE NUMBERS OF HOME-BASED AND OTHER “FLEXIBLE” WORKERS -- PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO BENEFIT In the UK -- where parents with children under six already have a legal right to request “flexible working arrangements” (work from home, part-time work, flexible hours, etc.) from their employers -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently extended the agenda to parents with children up to the age of 16. The move is expected by some to almost double the UK’s present 3.5M home-based workers, and to affect 4.5M parents. In the US, requests for similar “flexible” working arrangements are frequently denied, viewed as unorthodox (particularly for men), or both. In the UK, however, the majority of requests are reportedly granted, and employers must have a “good reason” for denial. For more, see http://tinyurl.com/4nc8ps . ARISE ADVERTISING FOR HOME-BASED CALL CENTER AGENTS IN UK Speaking of the UK and work-at-home trends, call center Arise (full disclosure, Arise advertises for US agents in this bulletin) now has a website to recruit home-based agents there, which -- we hope -- will help lead the way toward meaningful numbers of teleworking agents and other workers internationally. (The UK, for the moment, lags far behind the US in home-based call center agents, where 330,000 are expected to be employed by 2010. British Telecom, however, has set an excellent telework example with a reported 15,000 employees working from home.) For more, see lead no. 4, below. CALIFORNIA MAY LEGISLATE REDUCED CAR USE With cars and trucks responsible for 30% of California’s greenhouse gases -- and commutes lengthening with overcrowding, inadequate mass transit, and ever-more-distant affordable housing -- politicians in Sacramento, the state capital, are weighing legislation to force regional planners to “plan for the future in a way that encourages people to drive less.” According to a recent article in California’s North County Times, the goal of Senate Bill 375 is to get people to use mass transit more often, or move closer to work. “[T]he legislation is causing much anxiety among regional planners, local officials and builders who believe the bill has a good chance of becoming law.” (Memo to California: You want to reduce car use? Give companies meaningful tax breaks for robust telecommuting programs, and provide no-interest loans and other stimulants for all-“virtual” companies. For individuals, increase the tax savings for home-based businesses and employment. And to show you’re really serious, double the deduction for every dollar given to an environmental charity.) The article is at http://tinyurl.com/3rknfw . IN THAILAND, CIVIL SERVANTS MAY SOON WORK FROM HOME According to a recent piece in Bangkok’s The Nation, the Thai government, to “help save energy,” is considering having many of its employees work from home. “The project may see entire departments working from home,” the article notes. “Meetings will be held via teleconferencing and paperwork can be authenticated using e-signatures.” If you’ve ever been caught in Bangkok’s traffic (I went to high school there, many moons ago), you’ll probably welcome the news! (Memo to US government: If Thailand can do it, you can, too. We who drive by parking on the Beltway, and every other road around this joint, humbly beseech you.) For more, see http://tinyurl.com/5eqpcz . “I FOUND WORK AT RAT RACE REBELLION” Chris and I regularly receive emails from folks who have found work through RRR, and see similar messages posted on online work-at-home message boards, and occasionally we excerpt them here. This recent message from a military spouse made our day. “I'd like to just send you a quick thanks for the virtual help that you've given me…. While it didn't happen overnight, I have 4 telecommuting jobs, and am scheduled to start training for another late summer…The last job offer I received, over this weekend, was the one I was really hoping for. I was ecstatic to receive the offer, and I did let them know that I found them through your site.” If you have a success story you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you at mhaaren@staffcentrix.com. And if you’d like to be interviewed here about what you do from home (if you have an affiliation with the US military, we may also include you in our virtual-careers column at Military.com, if there’s a fit), just let us know. “HOME OFFICE” + “GROUP OFFICE” (COWORKING) MAY BE THE PERFECT BLEND As someone who has been working at home since the 1980s, I can tell you that “all day at home” (solo, I mean; we’ll discuss being “alone with the kids” in another issue) isn’t always the ideal. People are like horses -- we don’t fare well when we’re alone. We need other humans to whinny at and listen to and smell (well, depending). If we’re cooped up in the stable (home office) all day, we get bored, and our brains lapse into neutral, and we lose momentum. I think the ideal for many people would be a blend of home office and group office -- a place where you could enjoy the company of others in a productive setting, but only show up when you wanted to, not according to someone else’s dictates. The problem is, too few of us have that choice, for now. Sun, Best Buy, and a slowly growing number of other companies are adopting a “work from anywhere” policy (where results are all that matter; location is largely irrelevant), but that’s still the exception rather than the rule. And even if your own employer lets you telecommute one or two days per week, you’re still bound to go into the cube when you may not want to. For the world’s millions of freelancers, startup teams and other microentrepreneurs, the best solution may be the “coworking” movement, which we cover here from time to time. In the coworking option, individuals or companies buy access to a café-like center where they can power up laptops, use the printers and faxes, grab a drink or a snack, take a conference room when needed, and schmooze at will. The trend is growing slowly but encouragingly, and may really come into its own when the Baby Boomers -- some 70% of whom in the US (over 50M people) are reportedly interested in launching home-based businesses -- start setting up shop in their bedrooms, basements and dens. For a recent article on coworking in Seattle, Wash. -- featuring a coworking-center provider aptly named “Office Nomads” -- see http://tinyurl.com/684bm5 . For Office Nomads itself (tagline: “Individuality without isolation”), see http://www.officenomads.com/ . For more on coworking centers internationally, see http://coworking.pbwiki.com/ . FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I keep applying for home-based work, but I never get offers. (I’ve been at home with my children for about five years, and I need to get back into the workforce.) What am I doing wrong? R3: With gas prices surging and a recession kicking in, there’s more competition than ever for legitimate home-based work, and it may be that your credentials, too, need updating. If your budget can possibly handle it, consider taking a course or two or pursuing a certification (online may be an option) at a community college or university. Training grants or other free training may also be available through your local One Stop Career Center or Workforce Development Board. Check here for more detail, and good luck!: http://www.careeronestop.org/ . FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Herewith some great free samples (and free movies!) for the week, “US-only unless otherwise indicated.” Enjoy! -- Free movies at Regal Cinemas Tues. and Wed. AM: http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx (with thanks to R. Adib for sending in this excellent freebie!) -- Snuggle Fabric Softener: http://tinyurl.com/6puly5 -- “Clean & Clear” oil-absorbing facial wipes: http://www.teenfreeway.com/cnc/apr08/sheets/index.htm -- Gillette Body Wash: https://gillettepcc.safeprocessing.com/ -- Aveda “Green Science Lifting Serum” (US and CAN): http://www.womenshealthmag.com/aveda.html -- Nature Made Multivitamins: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid43012.aspx -- Tide Detergent: http://www.boostbubbles.com/ (Click on "Play Game," then on "Get Your Free Sample") -- Dove “Pro-Age” Body Lotion: http://www.doveproage.com/samples_hbl.asp?source=DOVE_s RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Men in business are in as much danger from those that work under them as from those that work against them.” -- Marquess of Halifax 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. E-Support / Sales Chat Agents ||||| US-based specialty computer manufacturer Alienware is looking for E-Support / Sales Chat Agents. “RESPONSIBILITIES: - Provide support and answer questions related to Alienware Products and Services via our online chat application. - As needed, follow up with customer service scenarios via e-mail, forum support, etc. - Answer live sales calls via phone as required.” Requirements include a HS diploma, basic-to-intermediate knowledge of “current computer hardware, peripherals and games,” and “[b]asic experience with current high end performance technologies: video, audio, drivers, etc.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/3jkrvw <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 2. *Put up Point-of-Purchase Ads at CITGO Stations Across US (Short-term work) ||||| US-based Mid Atlantic Sales & Service Co. is looking for people to install point-of-purchase ads inside CITGO gas stations and at the pumps in 25+ states. “Each visit will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete and will be conducted over a 10 day period beginning 6/27/08 through 7/6/08. Future visits will occur at the beginning of October 2008 and January, April, July & October of 2009.” Pays $14 per visit. *(Editor’s Note: While this is not technically a “home-based” position, we occasionally include leads of this type in response to reader requests for temporary work that doesn’t require advanced degrees.) => Learn More: http://narms.com/cgi-bin/sjb2.cgi?i=11627&cn=1211950571&fnc=jbd <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 3. Researcher for Off-Grid.net (“US-based”) ||||| Off-Grid.net, devoted to Green lifestyles “outside the established system,” ran the following lead in its newsletter of May 28: “US-based researcher wanted - part-time web and phone based work - start now.” For more on Off-Grid, see http://www.off-grid.net/ . For more on the position, or to apply, email Nick Rosen at nick@off-grid.net. (Editor’s Note: Rosen has written a handy book about living “off-grid.” For more, see http://tinyurl.com/4qmej3 .) => Learn More: (Please see above.) <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 4. Call Center Agents for Arise (UK) ||||| Arise Virtual Solutions, which began operations in the US, is advertising for home-based Agents in the UK. “Arise UK does not contract with individuals. When you want to enjoy the benefits of contracting with Arise UK, you need to incorporate a limited company. This can be done online in a matter of hours. We call the limited companies we contract with "Virtual Services Corporations" or VSCs. Prior contact centre experience is not required to become the owner / operator of a VSC. Being a self-motivated professional is.” => Learn More: http://www.arise.com/uk/ukhome.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 5. Proofreaders for English-Learning Textbook (“Experience a plus”) ||||| Taiwan-based publisher San Min Book Co. is looking for Proofreaders for a 200-300 page English-learning textbook. Must have native-level English and be familiar with English grammar. => Learn More: http://www.writerfind.com/freelance_jobs/job5007.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 6. High-School Instructor for Brigham Young Univ. Chinese Language Course ||||| BYU seeks a “certified high school instructor for a second year Chinese language course.” “This course will focus on the following: traditional or ‘complicated’ Chinese vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and Chinese characters emphasized with special readings on cultural situations. The instructor for this course is expected to be knowledgeable in, though not limited to, ALL of the above areas.” Must have at least 3 years’ experience as a Chinese teacher. “We would also prefer it if you were located in the state of Utah; however, this is not a requirement.” => Learn More: http://luckydogjobs.com/jobs/18056-Chinese-Instructor.html <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 7. Full-Time Medical Transcriptionist (US) ||||| US-based Transform, Inc., is looking for an MT with at least 3 years’ experience. “MUST be familiar with the AAMT BOS, 2nd Edition, have recent acute care and multispecialty experience. Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, and Orthopedics are big specialties in this vacancy.” => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=15688 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~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. Bloggers on Credit Cards ||||| “Smart Finance” seeks one or two Bloggers to cover credit cards and related issues. “To summarize, we are looking for bloggers who can give advice, opinions and blog about their credit card experiences. We are NOT looking for "Top 10 Ways to..." or "News" type posts/bloggers (although once in a while that would be fine).” => Learn More: http://jobs.problogger.net/view/1347 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 9. Adjunct Faculty for English Comp. and Lit. at Southern New Hampshire U. Online ||||| Southern NH University Online seeks Adjunct Faculty to teach English Composition and Literature. “A minimum of a master's degree in the appropriate discipline is required, terminal degree preferred. Ideal candidates will have extensive work and teaching experience.” => Learn More: http://www.snhu.edu/822.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 10. Training-Program Designers (US) ||||| US-based / international training firm Richardson seeks Senior Designers for training programs. “During the design process, Senior Designers work with our clients to conduct an effective and efficient needs analysis and design high-impact, interactive classroom training solutions to meet those needs. Senior Designers manage an internal team to deliver final training curricula that meets and exceeds client expectations.” Includes “phone and face-to-face needs analysis.” Bachelor’s in Instructional Design, Org. Development of similar field required. => Learn More: http://jobs.astd.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2897943 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 11. Freelance Real Estate Writers for Forbes ||||| Forbes Magazine seeks Writers on Real Estate for its online Lifestyle Channel. Must have at least 3 years’ experience and a “deep rolodex of contacts in the real estate industry, [and] the ability to report and write well-rounded features and superior time management skills; reporters/writers will pitch and report on trends, luxury items and ‘'best of'’ lists.” => Learn More: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=78169&page=1 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 12. Guide on “Parenting Young Adults” (“Work from anywhere”) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, is looking for a part-time Guide to write about parenting young adults. “The guide to parenting young adults will be someone with professional experience working with young adults or practical experience raising young people in their early to mid 20s. With today's economy, more young adults are living at home and that poses situations and issues that can be perplexing to families. Ideal backgrounds for the position include someone who has experience counseling young adults and their parents, a writer who has covered this topic extensively or a parent who is passionate about helping families with children in this age group.” Pays a minimum of $725 per month during the first two years, plus a percentage of ad revenues based upon popularity of pages. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/topics.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 13. Editor for Men’s Health Magazine (“Telecommute, USA”) ||||| US and UK-distributed Affinity Magazines is looking for an Editor with “extensive health editorial experience” for a “men’s health magazine linked to prostate cancer.” The magazine is “distributed in the USA through urology and oncologists offices and is being distributed to coincide with National Prostate Cancer awareness month.” => Learn More: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=78041&page=1 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 14. PR Consultants (US) ||||| US-based PR firm Calysto Communications seeks PR Consultants. “We are looking for consultants who have more than 10 years public relations experience including clients in wireless, telecom or a related field. Advertising and/or Entertainment experience a plus.” “Some travel will be involved for tradeshows, press tours and client meetings.” => Learn More: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=78182&page=1 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 15. Copywriter with US DoD or other Military Experience ||||| US-based staffing firm Creative Circle is advertising for a freelance Copywriter. “Will be working…on everything from two-page information sheets to longer 12-page capabilities brochures.” Pays $30-$40 per hour. ”The ideal candidate would know the Defense Industry well; with business-speak a definite plus.” => Learn More: http://www.creativehotlist.com/index.asp?linkTarget=fullJob.asp&jobID=120419 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 16. Raters of Online Search Queries (70+ countries except US; “bilingual with English”) ||||| US-based / international firm Lionbridge, which provides localization and interpretation services, seeks Raters in 70+ countries to assess the results of online search queries. “The Rater role involves evaluating results of a web search, for appropriateness to search query input. Participants will be required to provide their opinion of the result displayed based on a set of guidelines we provide. Hours of work are flexible. The recommended hours of work are 10-20 hours per week.” “The skill set for this job is not high-tech, candidates need to be familiar with browsing the internet, be able to read and write fluent English, and have high-speed access to internet.” “You can be a college student, teacher, retired person, on-line shopper, stay-at-home parent or professional from any field.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/4fwmha <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 17. Research Associate with Financial Journalism Experience ||||| US-based InsiderScore seeks a full-time Research Associate. “The right candidate is intimately familiar with Securities and Exchange Commission filings, detailed-oriented, analytic-minded and possesses strong research and writing skills.” “Candidates living in the Philadelphia to New York City metro areas preferred.” => Learn More: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=930123 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 18. Adjunct Faculty, Int’l. Business (Undergrad & Grad) at Southern New Hampshire U. Online ||||| Southern NH University Online seeks Adjunct Faculty to teach International Business at the undergraduate and graduate level. “A minimum of a master's degree in the appropriate discipline is required, terminal degree preferred. Ideal candidates will have extensive work and teaching experience.” => Learn More: http://www.snhu.edu/822.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 19. Contract Negotiator for AETNA (US; “travel 25%-50%”) ||||| AETNA seeks full-time Contract Negotiators. “Responsibilities: Accountable for all aspects of physician recruitment and contracting as well as ad/hoc network contracting, as assigned -Responsible for re-negotiating or negotiating solo, complex group, hospital-based and large entity physician contracts in support of network quality, availability and financial goals. -Participates in the strategic recruitment of physicians satisfying specific network goals and objectives. -Provides network development, maintenance and refinement activities and strategies in support of cross-market network management units.” Requirements include “[i]n-depth knowledge of the managed care industry and practices, as well as a strong understanding of Aetna competitor strategies, practices, and financial/contracting arrangements.” Salary $50,000-$70,000 per year. => Learn More: http://jobs.careertrader.com/c/job.cfm?jb=4474546&site_id=142 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 20. Online Adjunct Faculty, Nursing ||||| US-based Brenau University seeks Adjunct Faculty to teach Nursing. Must have MSN or Ph.D. => Learn More: http://online.brenau.edu/about-brenau/teaching.html <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ******************************* 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.