7 Unusual Virtual Jobs at Home

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Deanne Arnath

At one time you had to be a graphic designer, a consultant or a freelance copywriter if you wanted to ditch your cubicle and make money in your pajamas. But jobs using your computer from home have brought virtual jobs at home to nearly every business sector. If you’re ready to trade your morning car-commute for a quick stroll over to your den, consider these unusual, valid, at-home jobs.

Concierge – Ask for restaurant recommendations or directions at the Santa Clara Hyatt in California (or a growing number of other fine hotels), and you’ll be directed to a flat screen mounted on the wall. Virtual concierges use video conferencing technology to ask hotel guests about their interests and provide them with sightseeing tips, says Kate Lister, co-author of “Undress For Success: The Naked Truth About Making Money At Home.”

Catering manager – You might think it’d be impossible to work in food service remotely, but FlexJobs recently had a job listing from a national bagel chain for a telecommuting junior catering manager, reports FlexJobs CEO Sara Sutton Fell. The work involves coordinating banquet orders via phone and computer software, then traveling to job sites to oversee the actual events, with no office or commercial-kitchen time needed.

Online instructor – The rise of online classes and universities has meant a boom in teaching jobs you can do from home, says Fell. Recent FlexJobs listings have included an adjunct professor of opticianry and an instructor for a world religions course. If you’ve been teaching but want to skip the classroom-management problems and faculty-lunchroom drama, stay home and email your students about their online lessons. It is one of the best legitimate, at-home part-time jobs available.

Nonprofit executive director – To attract the best talent, a growing number of nonprofits are hiring executive directors and letting them work wherever they are, says Fell. If you have a management background and a passion for a cause, you may be able to combine them into a job that lets you do good – while also doing the laundry.

“Some are virtual organizations anyway,” she says. “Nonprofits like the lower overhead costs.”

Patient champion/patient advocate – Home-Based Business for Dummies authors Paul and Sarah Edwards noticed the emergence of this home-based job. Patient champions help ill people navigate the complexities of the healthcare system – calling doctors, obtaining copies of medical records, and accompanying patients on doctor visits. Often relatives don’t live close, Paul Edwards notes, so they’ll pay someone to make sure grandma is receiving appropriate care and understanding doctors’ instructions.

“It’s a great service,” he says, “and there’s a great need.”

Virtual juror – If you’re a person with strong opinions, you might make some quick cash serving as an independent juror. Virtual jurors help lawyers evaluate the strengths of their case before they take it to court. Some companies promise up to $60 a case – not bad for an hour’s work at your computer. Major players in this space include Virtual Juror (www.virtualjuror.com) and Online Verdict (www.onlineverdict.com).

Golf instructor – Are you an experienced golf instructor who’s tired of slogging around the course? Virtual instructors review video from golfers and then email or phone in tips on improving their swing. Fell’s seen this one pop up on FlexJobs.

Virtual nurse – Registered nurses tired of working 12-hour shifts standing on their feet are taking advantage of booming opportunities in virtual nursing, says Undress for Success’s Lister.  In triage jobs at home, nurses staff phone lines and take calls from people with health emergencies, helping them evaluate whether they need an immediate trip to the ER. Lister knows one insurer that offered a nurse-staffed chat line for pregnant mothers, helping them resolve minor issues without resorting to more-costly doctor visits.

“It saves the medical system a lot of money,” she notes, “to contract with organizations that offer nursing support by phone.”

By Carol Tice

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Ways to Earn Extra Cash While Job Hunting

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Deanne Arnath

So, you’re looking for a job. You’re not alone, and right now it’s safe to bet that it’ll take a little longer than usual before you score the permanent job position you want. What are some ways to earn extra cash in the meantime, pay the bills and maybe have a little fun to boot?

Before you start a part-time job, make sure that you know what you’re looking for in terms of permanent work so that your side odd jobs don’t create a conflict. Balance is the key, and if you are doing side jobs to make money, make sure they help your future career path.

Restaurant and food service work. Whether you’re serving up chilled martinis or burgers and fries, waiting tables is often considered one of the best ways to earn extra cash – and there’s a reason for that: the industry offers some of the most flexible part-time jobs, and with tips you can earn well over minimum wage. Most shifts don’t conflict heavily with regular office hours, which is helpful for making business contacts and attending interviews during the day. Job prospects are considered excellent due to the high employee turnover that is characteristic of this industry – but don’t forget that competition can be stiff at upscale establishments where the tips are the highest. Waiter/waitress median hourly wage = $14.50 (including tips)

Retail jobs. If food service isn’t for you and you just need a side job that makes money to fuel your job search engine, then working in retail could fit the bill. Employment growth for these jobs usually reflects the expansion and contraction of the economy, so right now, it might be a little harder than usual to land a position. Despite that, retail job opportunities are still considered good because of the high level of turnover in this sector. Furthermore, warehouse, clubs and super centers are supposed to have excellent prospects as their popularity is strong with bargain-hunting consumers. Sales clerk/cashier median hourly wage = $8.16

Temp agency work. Companies are wary about hiring directly at the moment, creating many temporary job opportunities. “Employers are looking for flexibility,” says Eric Buntin, of Randstad US, a staffing company. However, they are still looking for plenty of entry to mid-level temp positions that, with a little patience on your part, may turn into a full-time job. “It’s important to be flexible, but be clear with the agency about your long-term and short-term plans, so they can help you meet your goals,” advises Buntin. “Some contracts could be just for a week, then become one month and eventually lead to a hire.” Salaries vary widely depending on the industry and your experience level, but the potential is there to earn quite well while you’re waiting for a permanent offer. Entry level temp work (healthcare) median hourly wage = $8.00; Experienced contractor hourly wage = $35.00**

Recreation workers. Sharing your knowledge of creative arts or sports and recreation can be a fun way to earn extra cash, and this job sector offers an unusually large percentage of part-time and seasonal employment, leading group outings or activities. Work environments range from community centers to summer camps. This is considered a tough field if you want to get into it full-time, but for part-time, job openings are good, stemming from the large number of people who leave the field each year. Recreation worker median hourly wage = $15.03

Test prep instructors and tutors. Opportunities in educational support are growing, many of which are part-time job positions, usually scheduled during evenings or weekends. If you’ve done well on standardized tests and have a passion for helping others succeed, you can earn $100/hour teaching GMAT prep courses. If test prep doesn’t sound like a fit, students from elementary school through college are often in need of tutoring or extra help with homework assignments as well. Test prep instructor wage = $100/hour*; Tutor = $13.40

Need more flexibility? Find odd jobs for fast cash near your home.

If you’re looking for more casual ways to earn extra cash, you can get a long way by using a little creativity, according to Robin Ryan, Seattle-based career coach and author. In her years of coaching people toward the right position, she’s seen many innovative and entrepreneurial spirits earn extra cash with side odd jobs they develop themselves, from mowing neighbors’ lawns after finishing their own, to planning birthday parties for their children’s classmates.

“One woman was cooking dinner for her family one night and thought to herself, why not offer to cook for other families in the neighborhood,” Ryan recalled. She ended up having a number of families willing to pay for meals a couple of times a week. For just a little extra prep time in the evenings, this turned a side odd job into extra cash.

“Also, if you have clothes that don’t fit anymore, furniture, or that terrible gift that your aunt gave you for Christmas – sell it!” Ryan advises. Sites like Craigslist or Ebay are easy ways to earn extra cash, or you can rally a few neighbors to have a larger garage sale to increase your inventory and your earnings to few hundred dollars in an afternoon.

Whichever route you choose, part-time work is important. “A serious job search takes about 20 hours per week,” according to Ryan, “any more than that is just spinning your wheels – job searching is slow. Fill the rest of your time with something that produces results. Psychologically, this helps a lot.”

Claiming Unemployment and taxes:

If you’re collecting unemployment, you may be wondering how a side job will affect your claim. Legally, you must report all earnings, which will then be subtracted from your unemployment check until you exceed the amount of your benefit. Sometimes it is just a partial deduction from you benefit, so it’s best to check with your state’s unemployment office for full details on how to report your earnings.

Regarding taxes on self-employment or odd jobs, you usually don’t have to report earnings of $400 or less. The IRS gives complete information in publication 501 about federal filing requirements.

By Siri Anderson

Sources:
Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-09
Salary data from PayScale.com unless otherwise noted.
*Salary quote from Veritas Prep.
**Salary quotes from Randstad US.

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Resume Death by Objective Statement

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Deanne Arnath

My Resume Coach

One of the reasons job seekers dislike writing resumes is because they dread writing an objective statement.  Job seekers worry that the statement will be too specific or too broad.   So, what do most job seekers write as an objective statement? Most sound just like this: “Seeking a challenging position that will utilize my skills and abilities and give me the experience I need for a future career.”   Frankly, this type of statement is a waste of precious resume real estate.

My advice, delete that meaningless objective statement.  Objective statements focus on what the job seeker wants.  The job search by its very nature is about marketing your services to a company in need of someone with your specific skills and abilities.  The first thing to do when you create your personal marketing campaign is to determine your unique value proposition.  Once you have identified your value proposition, the next step is to create a complete marketing portfolio with your value proposition as the continual message.  This is what creates your personal brand.

Your resume is a snapshot of your personal brand that communicates what you have to offer to prospective employers.  Have you ever seen a marketing document that focuses on what the seller wants?  Absolutely not!  Effective marketing focuses on what the buyer needs and wants.  The employer is the buyer that has outlined their needs for a certain position.  Every word on a resume must promote the value that a potential employee can bring to the position and employer.

Objective statements have no place on a resume because they don’t market the features and benefits of hiring you, the candidate.  A buyer-focused resume opens with a profile statement that summarizes the value you bring to an organization.  Instead of an objective statement, write a profile of your skills or a summary of your qualifications.  Profile or summary statements communicate the value or solution you bring to the equation.  They’re employer-focused statements designed to grab the attention of hiring managers.

Employers want to know what types of positions you are seeking, and a well-written skills profile will promote the value you bring to the employer while at the same time communicating exactly what position or career path you are seeking.  For example, a well-written skills profile might read “Financial professional with nine years of experience in valuations, financial modeling and analysis.”

The next time you start to write an objective statement, stop and write an introduction to your resume that is something that the employer wants to read.  Ask yourself, what does the employer need from an ideal job candidate?  Do not let a traditional and meaningless objective statement kill your resume.

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5 Most Common Resume Writing Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Deanne Arnath

Anymore, editing resumes is only a small portion of what I do.  Instead, I teach students how to write a resume the right way in the first place.  Over 80% of the resumes that I am asked to edit must be completely rewritten due to five common resume mistakes.  Some of these mistakes used to be acceptable resume writing practices, but times have changed and if you want to be competitive in today’s job market, you must change with the times.

  • 1. Passive Voice: Have you ever started a bullet point with “responsible for” “participated in” or “assisted with”?  At one time or another, every job seeker has probably written a bullet point in a passive voice.  What makes this a mistake is that passive does not sell, ACTION SELLS.  Without action, you cannot have results. When you sit down to write your bullet points begin the sentence using action words such as developed, introduced, accelerated, built, designed, etc. Using action words makes your resume more hard-hitting and compels the reader to keep reading.
  • 2. Quantifiable Results: I am amazed at the number of resumes that I see with bullet points that only state the tasks performed in a job with no mention of the accomplishments that followed. If your efforts resulted in increased revenue of 45%, make sure you include that valuable information in your resume. Your ability to communicate quantifiable accomplishments such as volume, percentages, and numbers will greatly differentiate you from the competition.  Prove your value wherever possible.  Failure to do so is a huge mistake.
  • 3. Objective Statements: My advice to job seekers is to omit an objective statement and replace it with a statement of purpose or summary statement. Objective statements typically focus on what the job seeker wants and not on what the company needs.  If well written, a statement of purpose or summary statement will promote the job seeker’s value, and as a result, what the job seeker wants.
  • 4. Personal Information: You may want the employer to know more about you, but the resume is not the place for personal information.  Honestly, this information should not be shared during the interview process at all.  Marital status, number of children, or place of birth bear no weight on your marketability for the position and may eliminate you as a potential candidate.
  • 5. Grammar: Let me start by saying that spelling and grammar mistakes are the most common reasons that hiring managers toss resumes into the trashcan. Rule number one to avoid these resume mistakes, never trust spell check.  For example, lead is a word, but it is an error if meant it in the past tense form of the word, which is led.  While spell check would not catch the error—a prospective employer will.  Another error often overlooked on resumes is properly capitalizing words. One of the most common places that I find these errors is the resume heading.  Yes, I said it, the heading.  If you live on Smith St. be sure that you do not type Smith st.

Your resume is the story of your career experiences and achievements.  Errors discount your value and minimize your ability to communicate the value you bring to a prospective employer.  Your resume is the hiring manager’s first impression of you.  Remember that old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a great first impression”.

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Combine Sizzle and Steak in Your Resume Writing

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Deanne Arnath

Typically, when we write a resume, we open a blank page in MS Word and start at the top with our personal information.  We add a few tabs and set the font, and then what?  If you write an objective and then list your work experience, this blog is perfect for you.  This approach to resume writing might sound common but is, in fact, the most ineffective way to marketing your skills and abilities.

Beginning a resume with an objective statement followed by a list of work experiences is a thing of the past.  This resume writing approach focuses only on facts and what the job seeker wants rather than what the employer needs.  Today’s marketplace requires job seekers to focus on marketing their unique value proposition to potential employers.  Think about it, the employer is the consumer, right? With that information in mind, consider what should drive the advertising message for this vital marketing document.

If  you really want to write an effective resume, my advice is to forget everything you have ever been taught about resume writing.  Don’t open a blank page and start writing because you will forget your audience every time with this approach.  Your first step should be to break down your past experiences.  For every work or leadership experience, list the duties, accomplishments, and skills that you demonstrated, along with a copy of the job description(s) for which you want to apply, and then compare the two.  Prove that you possess the skills and competencies that the employer needs in this position. Using these two documents, write a summary statement at the top of your resume that promotes a snapshot of the value you will bring to the job.

The best practice when writing a professional resume is to tell a successful story about the candidate.  When writing your own resume, don’t let resume buzz words get in the way of the action or “sizzle” of your story.  Phrases such as “responsible for, acted as, and participated in” diminish the impact of your message and will not inspire hiring authorities to read your resume.

Remember that the average time spent during the first pass of a resume is roughly 10-20 seconds.  Frankly, readers scan for relevance and focus on finding candidates to eliminate the first time through the stack as opposed to targeting the ideal candidates.

A resume needs to be a job seeker’s written masterpiece.  Resumes beginning with the typical “Seeking a challenging position that will utilize my skills and experience” will not merit a second look.  A professional opening to your resume will grab the attention of the reader and get right to the heart of the employer’s needs.   This is what brings the sizzle and steak together.

A resume that only contains bland facts displayed in a tasteless manner will usually be overlooked. Whereas a resume that addresses the needs and interests of prospective employers will result in invitations to interviews.

To learn more about how Career Wizards can help you develop a resume that focuses on the job you want and how you are qualified for it, visit us at www.careerwizardsinc.com. And please feel free to reach out to us through our “Contact Us” page. We look forward to hearing from you!

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