~*~*~ THE RAT RACE REBELLION TELEWORK BULLETIN ~*~*~ Dear Reader, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Along with our customary hand-picked jobs, this week brings international recruiting news from Sun Microsystems, an introduction to home-based errand-running and concierge businesses, a sampling of online woman-owned microbusinesses, and “much more”! Enjoy, Good Luck, and Be Well. SUN MICROSYSTEMS HIRING FOR MANY TELEWORK POSITIONS INTERNATIONALLY Sun is looking for a variety of “offsite” personnel, from “Campus Ambassadors” to Database Administrators to Product Line Managers to Sales Reps and more. Some of the positions are detailed in our job summaries below. To see the full list at Sun, go to http://www.sun.com/corp_emp/search.cgi?keyword=mysql&jpp=250&sa=0. HOME-BASED ERRAND-RUNNING BUSINESSES AND GENERAL CONCIERGE SERVICES A number of readers have written us with questions about errand-running and general concierge businesses. Here are some suggestions and resources to help you get started. First of all, keep in mind that concierge services can range from picking up somebody’s fish sticks at the local Piggly Wiggly, to getting front-row seats for two at a popular play, to arranging for the Empire State Building to blink a marriage proposal in Morse Code. So you’ll need to decide on the services that fit your skills, personality, and assets (i.e., you’ll need a car to get those fish sticks) best. Second, speaking of marriage proposals, remember the link between types of services and types of clients, and the adage, “The Client Makes the Practice” (or, “The Customer Makes the Business”). The client who wants you to go get the fish sticks, for example, is likely a bit different from the client who wants the Empire State Building job. Don’t get me wrong, they could both be fine people, but it’s doubtful their personalities will be similar. My point? As Chris and I often say, “Work for people you like! Life’s too short to be chained to a nincompoop!” Third, if you’re uncertain about going into business for yourself, consider doing a stint with a reputable home-based concierge service or errand-running business before taking the plunge. Bear in mind, however, that there are many more opportunities for self-employment than there are jobs. (For readers in the US and Canada, we often mention VIPdesk (http://www.vipdesk.com), which hires home-based concierges as part- and full-time employees and pays approximately US$14 per hour. You can also use Google to find errand-running businesses near you, and approach them to see if they need part-time runners. Check the links below for more.) Fourth, read some of the many articles online. For example, Katharine Giovanni, author of “The Concierge Manual” and one of the leaders in the field, has contributed a detailed overview of the concierge niche to RRR.com here: http://www.ratracerebellion.com/EC_Concierge.htm. Links for follow-up: -- National [US] Concierge Assoc.: http://www.nationalconciergeassociation.com -- International Concierge & Errand Assoc. (co-founded by Giovanni): http://www.iceaweb.org -- Errand-Running Business information (sponsored by the American Errand Runners Org.): http://www.errandinfo.com/ -- An article in Conde Nast on virtual concierges: http://tinyurl.com/5v5lgv A LESSON IN GAS GOUGING Oil hit $140 per barrel in June, and gas (here in the US) was $4 per gallon. The price of gas was justified repeatedly by the price of oil. Today, oil is at $70 per barrel -- half of the June price. So gas should be $2 per gallon, right? I don’t know about you, but here in Northern Virginia it ain’t $2 per gal. It’s $2.80 or more. Jeepers, I wonder why? Maybe their abacuses are missing a few beads. WOMEN LAUNCH A VARIETY OF MICROBUSINESSES ONLINE In medieval times, around 1970 or so, before the Internet, if a woman wanted to run a smaller business out of her home, it often took the form of typing, or seamstress work, or catering. (This is how Martha Stewart got her start, from a home-based catering service.) To be sure, there were “professionals” working from home here and there -- doctors, lawyers; the usual suspects -- but we’re talking about microenterprise. The reach and scale of the businesses were almost always limited to -- and by -- the local economy. If typists got paid $2 an hour in your town, you could rarely charge more. With all its drawbacks, the Net has certainly opened wide the microentrepreneurial door, for men and women alike. A recent piece in New York’s Rockland Magazine offers an interesting glance at five women micro-entrepreneurs and their online businesses, including -- podcasting (about crafts, at http://www.craftcast.com); -- hand-sewn Latin-flavored clothes for children (http://www.littlepoco.com/servlet/StoreFront); and -- chocolates (http://lindaschocolates.com). Virtual Assistants, too, of course, are a growing niche (for more, see our article at http://www.ratracerebellion.com/VirtualAssistant.htm), and the spread of entrepreneurship training in community colleges and universities -- though the latter often overlook microentrepreneurship -- promises more to come. The recession, be it noted, brings tough challenges for newer businesses (some older ones haven’t fared too well lately either), but those that are home-based, like http://www.craftcast.com and some 20M others, will at least have the advantage of lower overhead. The Rockland Magazine article is at http://lohud.com/article/20081020/LIFESTYLE01/810200314/-1/SPORTS. “EMOTIONS WITHOUT THE EMISSIONS” I often wonder how the “green car” movement is going to accommodate sports car enthusiasts (the Prius somehow doesn’t get the blood pumping, if you have the Need for Speed), so this electric Porsche caught my eye, in a recent Treehugger piece. They say it does 0-100 KPH (60 MPH) in less than seven seconds, and tops out at 225 KPH (140 MPH), which certainly beats the rusty Triumph TR4 I styled-and-profiled in back in the day. (Now, if they can just invent a car that doesn’t need a road, or take up any other space, and is free, we’ll all be fine.) More at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/electric-porsche-911-ruf-germany.php. FROM THE R3 MAILBAG -- QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME, AND OTHER RAT RACE TOPICS DEAR R3: I work 80-hour weeks as a consultant in Manhattan, and commute in on the train from Rye. I make about $650,000 per year, and take a week every year with the family at our place at Tahoe. (We’ve got three mortgages, counting the plane.) But I would really like better work-life balance. If I work from home 30 hours a week, and don’t commute any more, do you think I’ll have to make a lifestyle change, too? Like, give up the plane? R3: My goodness. Don’t give up the plane. Why not sell your two houses, buy a small lot, park the plane on it, and do everything out of the plane? You’ll still be rich, you just won’t know it. FRUGAL AND SIMPLE LIVING Ecco this week’s giveaways, hauled in by our devoted Research Team. If you see something you like, be sure to grab it fast, as free stuff goes quickly on the Net. (I’m afraid we have no control over supplies.) US-only unless otherwise noted. Enjoy! Free Taco Bell taco (Oct. 28, 2-6PM only): http://www.tacobell.com/stealabasestealataco/ Free sample of Folgers coffee: http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid55200.aspx Sure deodorant (free after rebate): http://www.trysurefree.com/forms/try_max_free.pdf Free Dunkin' Donuts coffee: https://dunkinathome.safeprocessing.com/ Free sample Fiber One Honey Clusters cereal: http://freesample.fiberone.com/FiberOne/Default.aspx?source=418 Free sample box of 8 assorted truffles from Haydee Chocolatier: http://www.haydeechocolatier.com/sample.php RAT RACE QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them.” -- Kin Hubbard 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. “Resolution Representatives” for Staples (US) ||||| Staples seeks part-time Resolution Representatives (“Manager Call Center”). “This is a senior level customer service representative trained to resolve hub issues for some of our top customers in our contract division. No selling is involved.” “These positions can be onsite [Florence, Kentucky] or WORK AT HOME! Two Part-time schedules available working up until 8PM. (We can try to work with your schedule!)” Pay starts at $12.15 per hour. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/64cauf <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 2. Freelance Writers on Ecology ||||| International reference database publisher EBSCO Publishing seeks freelance Writers on Ecology. Must have Master’s or Ph.D. and relevant professional experience. “Subject-matter experts will edit existing essays contained in the Points of View Reference Center database, a high school debate product that focuses on current, controversial issues. Experts will be compensated on a per-article basis, will receive a short biographical note and be listed as a co-author.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6qosxp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 3. PineCone Research Seeks Panelists (US-only, in this case) ||||| If you’d like to earn a little money on the side, PineCone Research recently notified us that they’re looking for Panelists (product testers / survey takers). PineCone is one of the few legitimate companies in the survey-from-home area. Please note that only one person per household may register. To register, see the page linked below. For more information, see the following links: http://www1.pineconeresearch.com//about.HTM http://www1.pineconeresearch.com//policy.htm => Learn More: http://www.pineconeresearch.com/signup/ds526RRDS1.asp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 4. “Campus Ambassadors” for Sun Microsystems at Universities Internationally ||||| Sun seeks Campus Ambassadors / Technology Evangelists at universities internationally. Various requirements apply. For detail, see the link below. => Learn More: http://www.sun.com/corp_emp/search.cgi?keyword=mysql&jpp=250&sa=250#LG <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 5. Expert on Business Security (“Anywhere in the world”) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) on Business Security. “The ideal Guide for this topic is someone who has hands-on experience with one or more aspects of securing businesses against property theft, network intrusion, disgruntled employees, etc. They should understand security policies, systems, etc., as well as background checks, NDAs, continuity planning and so on.” Guides are paid a minimum of $725 per month during the first two years, with potential additional revenue from advertising, depending on the popularity of their pages. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 6. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based Diskriter, Inc., seeks MTs with 3 years’ experience for full-time employment. Will handle acute-care and emergency-room accounts. => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=16660 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 7. Online Editor for GetEducated.com (“Must reside in US”) ||||| GetEducated.com is looking for a full-time Online Editor “to develop and manage content for consumers seeking to compare, rate, rank online education (adult and higher ed) college degree programs and career oriented continuing education opportunities.” Requirements include a Bachelor’s and at least 2 years’ related experience with online content. => Learn More: http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings/jobview.asp?joid=84755&page=1 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 8. Online Science Instructors for Kaplan University ||||| US-based Kaplan University, owned by the Washington Post, seeks part-time Online Science Instructors. Requirements include an MS and “[a]t least ONE of the following: (1) substantial in-person teaching experience; (2) experience teaching or taking an online course in any discipline; (3) an MS in science plus a PhD or EdD in education with a focus on educational technology.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6xd7lu <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 9. Care Manager BH LSW, LCSW, LPC, RN for Aetna (US; position itself based in PA) ||||| Aetna seeks a full-time “Care Manager BH LSW, LCSW, LPC, RN.” “Provides case management services which may include pre-admission, concurrent, discharge and/or retro review, follow-up assessment or outreach phone.” Pays $47,520-$56,700. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6jskw4 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 10. Campus Ambassadors for Sun Microsystems at Various US Universities) ||||| Sun seeks Campus Ambassadors to be “technology evangelists” at a variety of US universities. Must be a full-time student, and other requirements apply. For detail, go to the page linked below and see the additional links there. => Learn More: http://www.sun.com/corp_emp/search.cgi?keyword=mysql&jpp=250&sa=0#HJ <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 11. Expert on Piano (“Anywhere in the world”) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) on Piano. “The ideal candidate for the Piano GuideSite is a long-time piano player with experience teaching beginners. Experience writing about piano or music is a must. Basic knowledge of HTML is preferred.” Guides are paid a minimum of $725 per month during the first two years, with potential additional revenue from advertising, depending on the popularity of their pages. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 12. Google Quality Raters -- French Language (US) ||||| Google continues to seek part-time Quality Raters fluent in French. Will help with ads quality evaluation. Requirements include “[i]n-depth, up-to-date familiarity with the culture and media of at least one largely French-speaking country outside of North America (i.e. France, Belgium, etc., but not Canada) and with the French-speaking World Wide Web.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6gdlnu <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 13. Freelance Writers on Environmental Science ||||| International reference database publisher EBSCO Publishing seeks freelance Writers on Environmental Science. Must have Master’s or Ph.D. and relevant professional experience. “Subject-matter experts will edit existing essays contained in the Points of View Reference Center database, a high school debate product that focuses on current, controversial issues. Experts will be compensated on a per-article basis, will receive a short biographical note and be listed as a co-author.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6qosxp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 14. Medical Transcriptionists (US) ||||| US-based FutureNet-Technologies Corp. is looking for independent-contractor MTs with at least 5 years’ experience for “all shifts.” => Learn More: http://www.mtjobs.com/job_detail.cfm?RowID=16670 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 15. Customer Support (Call Center) Manager (“Anywhere in America”) ||||| US-based Aris Personnel Services is advertising for a full-time Customer Support Manager. “Should have experience managing teams of 20 to 25 or more people.” Pays $50,000-$70,000 per year. => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6lqx7h <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 16. Expert on Sailing (“Anywhere in the world”) ||||| Information supersite About.com, owned by the NY Times, seeks a part-time Expert (“Guide”) on Sailing. “The Guide should have a professional background writing about sailing and be a recognized expert on the activity. This person must also be certified to teach sailing. The candidate will have the engaging writing voice of a columnist and the research and interviewing chops of a reporter, able to dig up information of vital interest and draw out interesting insights from other experts.” Guides are paid a minimum of $725 per month during the first two years, with potential additional revenue from advertising, depending on the popularity of their pages. => Learn More: http://beaguide.about.com/applynow.htm <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 17. Education Bloggers, Contributors; “Every Subject and Grade Level” (Licensed Teachers) ||||| LessonClub.org seeks Bloggers and Contributors. “We need licensed teachers who are willing to join our staff as part time paid Contributing Educators. We need experienced educators that are willing to make a commitment by writing blog posts and contributing lessons each week.” => Learn More: http://jobs.problogger.net/view/1779 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 18. Freelance Writers on International Studies ||||| International reference database publisher EBSCO Publishing seeks freelance Writers on International Studies. Must have Master’s or Ph.D. and relevant professional experience. “Subject-matter experts will edit existing essays contained in the Points of View Reference Center database, a high school debate product that focuses on current, controversial issues. Experts will be compensated on a per-article basis, will receive a short biographical note and be listed as a co-author.” => Learn More: http://tinyurl.com/6qosxp <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 19. Student Interns for Sun Microsystems in Beijing, HK, Taiwan ||||| Sun is looking for university-level Student Interns in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taiwan. “Act as the technical resource to effectively and efficiently deliver quality technical testings and reports both in Chinese and English.” Will also “[c]ollaborate and work with Sun's geographically distributed teams around PRC especially the ones in the Beijing, on both systems testing and software related tasks by conducting the analysis, tests.” For full requirements, see the page linked below. => Learn More: http://www.sun.com/corp_emp/search.cgi?keyword=mysql&jpp=250&sa=250#LG <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ||||| 20. Freelance Writers, Automotive ||||| HowStuffWorks.com is looking for freelance Writers to cover automotive topics. “Strong writing ability and expertise in the automotive industry are required.” “Generalists and specialists in other fields are welcome to submit resumes and clips and may be considered for future positions.” => Learn More: http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=938690 <= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ******************************* 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.