~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR This week’s issue brings news of a hiring drive for home-based agents by call center Convergys, word of how US teleworkers may soon get an easier home-office deduction, an update on the “coworking center” trend (they even have them just for writers now), and 20 hand-picked home-based jobs and freelance projects. Enjoy, Good Luck, and Be Well! GLAD TO HAVE MET 500 NEW PEOPLE AT OUR NORFOLK, VA, WORKSHOP! I’d like to give a shout-out here to the 500 or so new folks we met in our Norfolk, Va., telework job-finding workshop last Saturday. Chris and I were really pleased to make your acquaintance, and chat with you on the breaks. We were also delighted to see so many military spouses. We’ve been training at base family centers since 2002, and know the critical need for home-based jobs and career development for the military family -- not only for years now in wartime, but in a recession now, too. We hope our answers were as good as your questions, and we look forward to continue sharing as many quality work-at-home resources with you as we and our team can find. (Stay tuned here for our next public workshop!) MEET US AT THE U.S. STATE DEPT. / FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE OCT. 8 If you’re with the US State Dept. or the Foreign Service generally, Chris and I will be delivering our telework job-finding workshop again at the Foreign Service Institute (George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center) in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 8. All employees and Eligible Family Members may attend, though seating is limited. For details, email me at mhaaren@staffcentrix.com. US CALL CENTER CONVERGYS SEEKS HOME-BASED AGENTS, “WANTS TO HIRE 2,000 BY END OF 2008” Convergys, one of the largest hirers of home-based agents, contacted us this week to say that it’s actively seeking customer service and sales agents in 20 states. In June, Convergys announced that it wants to hire 2,000 home-based agents by the end of 2008. Requirements include a HS diploma or GED, and high-speed Internet. Like West Corp. and some other call centers, Convergys hires employees (with benefits) rather than independent contractors. Training is paid. For details, see job lead no. 1, below. A SHARED OFFICE / MEETING SPACE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS Home-based workers -- at risk of isolation, and often starving for grown-up conversation -- need a place to get their social fix, work and network, and keep the creative juices flowing. Ideally, it’s within walking or easy biking distance of home. In the “Community of Tomorrow,” perhaps these coworking places will be standard. In the meantime, places like New York City’s In Good Company help meet the need. In Good Company brings a new twist to the coworking centers we’ve seen so far, as it’s dedicated to women entrepreneurs. From the looks of its website and ad copy, it’s also targeted toward a more affluent and less “Bohemian” or free-agent group (though they are certainly entrepreneurs, too) than are many of its siblings. Memberships range from $125 to $300 per month, plus annual fees, and include workspaces and meeting rooms, along with seminars, mixers, workshops, etc., to help members build business. The question that comes to mind is, Does separating entrepreneurs by gender help, hinder, or do neither for their development? I’m sure there are studies that show all three, and I can certainly understand that men and women prefer to share certain things with their own sex. But in my experience as a corporate growth advisor, it definitely helped often when men and women were mixed, if only to let them exchange marketplace insights shaped or driven by gender. (Does it really take brain scans, neuropsychiatrists and neurosurgeons to persuade us that men and women are different? Of course, what do I know? Maybe the human race does propagate by bundle-carrying storks.) On the other hand, some folks might argue that the business world is still dominated by men, many of whom don’t give women’s opinions and abilities the respect they merit. Women entrepreneurs therefore need a place where they can speak candidly, be themselves, and find kindred spirits. What do you think? For more: -- In Good Company: http://www.ingoodcompanyworkplaces.com/ -- Coworking locations internationally (with thanks to Office Nomads; see next link): http://tinyurl.com/2ndxgf -- Office Nomads, a “typical” coworking spot (I wish it were near my house; I could even take my dog), in Seattle, Wash.: http://tinyurl.com/2ndxgf -- Coworking wiki at http://coworking.pbwiki.com/ SIDEBAR: I heard about In Good Company from Springwise, a Netherlands-based team that does a great job of reporting on interesting trends and micro-movements internationally. If you’re a writer, Springwise mentions an interesting factoid from New York City -- two coworker spaces just for writers, Paragraph (http://www.paragraphny.com/) and The Village Quill (http://www.villagequill.com/). Every city in the world should have at least one. For work-at-home parents (with an adequate budget), there’s also the promising Cubes & Crayons in Menlo Park, Cal., which watches the children while you cowork (covered here in our 8/07/08 issue). Again, they’re at http://www.cubesandcrayons.com/ . Springwise is at http://tinyurl.com/4bb97v . If you’re interested in trends like these, sign up for their free newsletter. IN US, HOME-OFFICE DEDUCTION COULD GET EASIER -- MANY AFRAID TO CLAIM IT According to a Wall Street Journal blog post this week by reporter Kelly Spors, the home-office deduction could get easier to claim if bills in the House and Senate make it through. Both bills would create a standard deduction for home offices, in the House version $1,500. As it stands, many taxpayers are afraid to claim the deduction for fear of triggering an audit, or because they don’t understand the tax regs governing the deduction. (Gosh, how could that be?) The article notes that less than half the filers in 2003 who could claim the deduction actually did (2.7M of 8.3M). Acknowledging the strong growth in “virtual” meetings, the Senate bill also wants to broaden the definition of “client meetings in the home” to include meetings by phone and Internet. "With more and more people working from home,” said Sen. Kent Conrad in a press release, “it is important for our tax rules to stay up to date and support this new generation of entrepreneurs." Memo to Capitol Hill -- It’s a start. But if we’re serious about supporting home-based entrepreneurship (and getting cars off the road, and strengthening American families and local communities), we’ll also -- create SBA microloans for Net-based freelancers and microbusinesses; -- adopt federal, state and local contracting preferences for home-based, virtualized businesses; -- give employers deductions for letting employees work from home; and -- create additional deductions for home-office and corporate videoconferencing tools. Hey, I’ve got another idea. Instead of paving the US courtesy of the gasoline tax, why don’t we take half of it to build The Telework Superhighway? That’s one you could actually move on! The Journal post is at http://tinyurl.com/4dnp53 . Sen. Conrad’s press release (the bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe) is at http://tinyurl.com/3uzx7f . FIVE QUICK TIPS FOR WORK-AT-HOME SUCCESS We live in a “quick-tip” world, so here are five to help you succeed at telework. 1. Don’t be discouraged if hirers don’t reply to your applications. This is typical in the “new era” of online work. (Yes, like New York, it’s rude.) Employers often don’t want to spend money on replies, and many are automating the application process altogether, to save costs and expedite recruiting. Don’t let it get you down. Keep bulldozing, keep applying! That wall will fall. 2. Keep skills updated -- there’s a lot of competition for legitimate home-based work -- and grab free training and certifications in your field wherever you can. Check sites like Brainbench.com for discounted or free tests. If you’re in the US, ask your local One Stop Career Center (http://www.servicelocator.org/) or workforce development board about free or discounted training. 3. If you’re launching a home-based business, make sure that your partner (if any) and children (if any) are on board with the initiative, and are fully aware of the changes to their lives that it may bring. Big changes can come in either of two cases -- When it succeeds, and when it fails. 4. “No bunny slippers.” Regardless of what you’ve heard, “working in your PJs” is not the way to go. No matter what work you’re doing at home, you are a professional. Dress for the tone you want to project and the state of mind you want to achieve during your working hours. In other words, dress for Work Objectives, not the hammock. For some, this may still mean “sweats and sneakers,” but for others, business casual or even higher. 5. Remember the three Ss -- Self-start, Self-monitor, Self-rely. At home, you are both jockey and horse, athlete and coach, kit and caboodle. Bonus Tip! -- Learn to be Stern (with yourself). Beware the pull of inertia. We feel “Home” to be our refuge and sanctuary, so it’s easy to drift out of “Must get done!” mode and into Margaritaville. Don’t backslide; Stick to the Program! Learn to be Stern. FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I’ve been a homemaker for six years and need to go back to work, but I’m not sure where I want my job and career to go. I want to take a path I can stay on for awhile, and be happy with. But I don’t have a clue what would be satisfying or fulfilling. What should I do? R3: First, don’t feel you have to apologize to anyone. Many people not only don’t ask themselves the important question you’ve posed yourself, they just stay on the old calf path till the bitter end! Sometimes, clarifying ourselves to ourselves is a bit like an archaeological dig. You have to do some self-spadework, and dust off the priceless artifacts of your core values and joys. Then you match them to “things you get paid to do.” You might try the self-assessments in Richard Bolles’ “What Color is Your Parachute?” The University of Minnesota also has a page of other self-assessment tools here: http://tinyurl.com/4fug9v . FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Voila this week’s moneysaving links, brought to you by our intrepid band of Link Drovers. (US-only unless otherwise indicated.) If you see one you like, grab it fast, as they disappear quickly. Enjoy! Free Crest whitening toothpaste: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid51468.aspx Free Degree Men Absolute Protection Deodorant: http://www.scifi.com/eureka/madeineureka/degree_form.html Feline Pine Cat Litter (free after rebate): http://www.naturesearth.com/specialoffers/ Free Bertolli Premium Pasta Sauce: http://www.condenet.com/promo/bertolli/sweeps/saucegiveaway/entry/long/ Ensure 6-pack (free after rebate): http://www.healthcentral.com/nutrition/ensure/rebate.pdf Free Olbas throat lozenges: http://www.olbas.com/freesample.htm Free Gas-X Thin Strips: https://secure.novartisotc.com/secure.novartisotc/gasx/trial_alt.jsp Free Mr. Clean “Magic Eraser” (requires posting online): http://mrclean.com/en_US/sharethelove.do Free Pledge Multisurface Wipes: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid51024.aspx RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I know heaps of quotations, so I can always make quite a fair show of knowledge.” -- O. Douglas 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. Customer Service and Sales Agents (US; 20 states) ||||| International call center Convergys notified us this week that they seek Customer Service and Sales Agents “in the Cincinnati, OH, area and throughout the US in 20 states.” According to a Monster ad seeking Cincinnati agents, “[t]he home based Customer Service and Sales Agents… receive inbound calls from customers interested in ordering products. The Home Agent takes customer orders, provides additional product information and is responsible for sales.” The ad notes a pay rate of $7.75-$8.00 per hour. (If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, see the Monster ad at http://jobview.monster.com/GetJob.aspx?JobID=75698777.) According to its website, Convergys is hiring from the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. (Editor’s Note: As we often mention, some call centers, like Convergys, hire agents as employees, while others such as Arise, VIPdesk and LiveOps hire them as independent contractors. Each status has its pros and cons. Employee status means among other things that the company is able to provide paid training and benefits. On the downside, the employer exercises more control over the employee, and hourly rates are often less than for independent contractors. Independent contractors earn more, but may have incorporation costs, no benefits or paid training, and can be easily terminated. For more, see our “Call Center Companies at a Glance,” at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/CS_Comparison.html, and the underlying call centers’ websites.) => Learn More: http://www.convergysworkathome.com/ <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 2. “Global Moms Wanted” as Writers; Varied Subjects ||||| PNN.com, the “Personal News Network” (social media), continues to seek “stories from moms from major cities internationally” on a variety of themes. A sampling includes -- Family -- Health -- “Gossip” -- Crafts -- “Question of the Day” -- Science & Technology “No matter where you live, what race or religion you are, whether you're on your own or in a big family, or whether you're rich or poor, sharing simple everyday stories about raising a family is something everyone on earth has in common. ”So, if you're good at telling family stories, love to read others, are tolerant of diversity, and in general, believe that if we were all just a bit more connected we might just get along a bit better, then we'd love to have you become an author for PNN.” Compensation: “Selected authors will be paid a minimum of $100 a month and share in ad revenues as their site grows. Anyone who shows that they can build an audience can also join our ad network and be paid based on readership.” => Learn More: http://authors.pnn.com/5861-available-channels <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 3. Freelance Legal Editors (US JD and legal material) ||||| US-based Kaplan Test Prep (for bar review; Kaplan is owned by the Washington Post Co.) seeks part- and full-time Legal Editors. JD required. “We have several openings for experienced legal editors capable of performing work of the highest quality within aggressive deadlines. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented self-starters who enjoy editing and writing legal content, and who are looking for a PT/FT role that allows work from home.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/3jhr7w <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 4. Financial Transcribers ||||| US-based news publishing service Morningside Partners seeks Financial Transcribers. “Must be accurate, deadline-oriented, and reliable. Hrs flexible. Deadlines firm. PC requirements: Internet connection (dial-up or highspeed), RealPlayer, Transcription software/foot pedal for digital .ra sound files.” => Learn More: http://www.fdch.com/careers.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 5. Google Quality Raters (“US or CAN work authorization”) ||||| Google continues to seek part-time, temporary Quality Raters to evaluate websites. Requirements include Bachelor’s or equivalent, strong familiarity with Web and high-speed Internet. => Learn More: http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/answer.py?answer=100580 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 6. Raters for the Graduate Record Exam (US employment eligibility) ||||| The Educational Testing Service is advertising for part-time Raters to score the GRE. “Approved and certified GRE Raters are scheduled to work in four or eight hour shifts. The Rater role is considered a part-time position. Raters are contacted by e-mail on a monthly basis with an upcoming schedule. Raters then submit their availability and are added to the schedule on an as-needed basis.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/82rpl <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 7. Customer Relations Specialists for Second Life (US, UK, Singapore) ||||| US-based Linden Lab, creator of virtual world Second Life, continues to seek Customer Relations Specialists “to maintain and shape Second Life's unique online community by assisting Residents with problems both technical and social, orienting new arrivals, and channeling community concerns and feedback to Second Life's Community Managers and developers.” Must be at least 18 and have 6 months’ experience on Second Life. (Editor’s Note: If you haven’t been on Second Life, it includes, like real life, a great many themes and behaviors. Just so you know.) => Learn More: http://lindenlab.hrmdirect.com/employment/view.php?req=20386 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~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, visit http://www.helium.com/?ad=680&placement=HAP002 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 8. Writers on “Green Computing” and Other Tech Topics ||||| Science-and-technology info site BrightHub.com seeks Writers on Green Computing and other tech-related subjects. “We need writers offering their guidance to help people understand how technology impacts their work, their play, their lives. We are looking for highly qualified experts with substantial domain knowledge in any subject matter under one of 30+ technology channels, and in particular for the Green Computing channel.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/4q29o8 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 9. Translate French Articles into English (US; “native English speakers only”) ||||| US-based media publisher Bestofmedia LLC seeks a Translator to “[t]ranslate and localize French articles into English on a regular, as-needed basis.” Requirements include that you be “100% fluent and bilingual (read, write, speak) in European French and American English.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/3nhq22 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 10. Prevention.com Contributors ||||| Health site Prevention.com seeks Contributors interested in “fitness, nutrition and healthy living.” Pays “up to $100 per month.” => Learn More: http://buzz.prevention.com/community/signup.php <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 11. Bloggers on “Web Mashups” ||||| Mashups.com is looking for Bloggers “interested in the mashup space,” for its re-launch. “You will need to research and write daily blog posts monday-friday.” (Editor’s Note: Please don’t ask me what “mashups” are. I just paint what I see. Wikipedia defines a mashup as “a web application that combines data and/or functionality from more than one source,” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashups. Oy!) => Learn More: http://jobs.problogger.net/view/1666 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 12. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based eTransPlus seeks MTs with at least 2 years’ acute-care experience for full-time employment. “$500 sign-on bonus.” => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=16467 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 13. “Resell Your Celebrity Interviews in UK” ||||| UK-based syndication agency Hot Features seeks celebrity interviews for its magazine and newspaper clients. “Whether it’s exclusive, round table or press conference interviews, we are interested in any content from A-list movie or music stars and can guarantee great prices and full discretion.” => Learn More: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=83818&page=2 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 14. Raters for the TOEFL iBT (US) ||||| The Educational Testing Service is advertising for Raters for the Test of English as a Foreign Language™ Internet-based Testing. “To be eligible, TOEFL iBT raters must * reside in the continental U.S. or Hawaii * be a U.S. citizen, a resident alien, or authorized to work for remuneration in the U.S. * hold a B.A. or higher degree, (M.A. preferred), from an accredited college or university * have experience assessing non-native speakers' written or spoken English * be qualified in English language teaching (e.g., TEFL, CELTS, DELTA).” Pay is $18 per hour. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/7h7vo <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 15. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based All Type seeks MTs with 3 years’ experience for full-time employment. => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=16443 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 16. Software Developer (US; “telecommute options available”) ||||| US-based software firm W3i seeks a Software Developer to “[d]esign, code, create test plans, test, debug and document applications.” Must have experience with .NET and C#. “A minimum of an Associates Degree in Computer Science or Information Systems or equivalent work experience is required.” => Learn More: http://www.devbistro.com/jobs/81028 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 17. Over-the-Phone Interpreters (US, PR, CAN, UK) ||||| Language Line Services continues to advertise for Over-the-Phone Interpreters to handle a variety of calls, including 911, credit-card applications, accident reports to insurance companies, etc. “Where do you want to work? You can join our team in one of our global centers in Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Or, if you live in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the United Kingdom, become one of our ‘Work at Home’ interpreters, providing quality interpreting services from the comfort of your own home.” => Learn More: http://www.languageline.com/page/interpreter_become/ <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 18. Development Coordinator for the National Flute Association (“Continental US”) ||||| US-based National Flute Assoc. seeks a part-time Development Coordinator with a Bachelor’s and at least 3 years’ experience. “The Development Coordinator (a part-time position, focused on fundraising and the development of fundraising activities) reports to the NFA Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and works with the NFA Chair of the Board of Directors, the CEO, the Development Committee and other committees in formulating the annual Development Plan, implementing the strategies of the Plan, and collaborating with the NFA staff, Board of Directors and Development Committee to ensure that organizational objectives are met.” Pays $25,000 per year. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/4mqeta <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 19. News Transcribers ||||| US-based news publisher Morningside Partners seeks News Transcribers “to produce verbatim transcripts for media clients such as CNN, FOX and MSNBC. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines a must.” Requirements include “high-speed Internet connection; digital foot pedal system; bachelor's degree in English or journalism; at least three years of work experience.” => Learn More: http://www.fdch.com/careers.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 20. “Numbers Assistant” to Post Film Industry Stats on Boxoffice.com ||||| Boxoffice.com seeks a part-time Numbers Assistant to post box office numbers from the film industry each day on the website. “Knowledge of the film industry and current films is essential and experience with HTML is preferred, but not required. This position can be completed from home and it will eventually lead to writing box office analysis.” => Learn More: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=979940 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ******************************* 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.