10 more jobs you can have at home
(CareerBuilder.com)
-- How would you like to work from home? No hustling out the door 10 minutes
late, no fighting your road rage or battling for the last seat on train, no
fast food lunch and no noisy co-workers. Sounds like heaven doesn't it?
More than ever, workers are attracted to the 30-second commute, thanks to
social and economic trends. Technologies necessary for setting up a home
office are widely available, relatively inexpensive and getting easier for
people to use. And more workers are seeking flexible schedules to care for
aging parents and children.
Home-based working is growing rapidly, according to a 2004 survey by ITAC,
the association for advancing work from anywhere. The number of employed
Americans who worked from home, from as little as 1 day a year to full time,
grew from 41.3 million in 2003 to 44.4 million in 2004.
Many people associate working from home with starting a home-based business
and becoming an entrepreneur, but more and more employers are offering this
option to workers in order to attract and retain top employees. In fact, 7.6
million employees conduct work from home every month.
Don't fret, there are jobs that you can find with established employers.
Even if the job is advertised as office-based, these positions are telework-friendly
and could be in your future.
Administrative assistant
Also known as virtual assistants, home-based administrative assistants use
office experience and computer skills as support personnel. Many skills easily
transition into this position which offers many part-time and temporary
opportunities.
Advertising sales agent
It's said that Americans are exposed to more than 3,000 ad messages a day.
Advertising sales representatives sell or solicit advertising space in print
and online publications, custom-made signs, or TV and radio advertising spots.
Computer software engineer
Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest-growing
occupations over the 2002-2012 period. Duties include design, development,
testing and evaluation of computer software, and continual training is
suggested for the quickly evolving industry.
Corporate event planner
Employed by a private company rather than a hotel or convention facility, a
corporate event planner coordinates staff activities including group meetings,
client presentations, special events, conventions and travel.
Copy editor
Copy editors mostly review and edit a writer's copy for accuracy, content,
grammar and style. This is a competitive field; however, the growth of online
publications and services is spurring the demand for writers and editors,
especially those with Web experience.
Desktop publisher
Desktop publishers use computer software to format and combine text, images,
charts and other visual elements to produce publication-ready material. Duties
of this fast-growing profession include writing and editing text, creating
graphics, converting photos and drawings into digital images, designing page
layouts and developing presentations.
Data entry clerk
Like administrative assistants, job prospects should be best for those
with expertise in computer software applications. By typing text, entering
data into a computer, and performing other clerical duties, these workers
ensure companies keep up with information and technology.
Insurance underwriter
Insurance underwriters serve as the main link between the insurance carrier
and the insurance agent. Underwriters analyze insurance applications,
calculate the risk of loss from policyholders, decide whether to issue the
policy and establish appropriate premium rates.
Market research analyst
Market Research Analysts gather data on competitors and analyze prices, sales,
and methods of marketing and distribution. They often design surveys, compile
and evaluate the data and make recommendations to their client or employer
based upon their findings.
Paralegal
While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, much of their
work is delegated to paralegals. Paralegals not only assist in preparation for
closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings, they also perform a number
of other vital functions including draft contracts, mortgages, separation
agreements, trust instruments and may assist in preparing tax returns and
planning estates.
If you want to make the case to a potential employer or your boss to let
you work from home, keep a few things in mind. If possible, provide concrete
examples of how this arrangement was successful in the past or how it will
succeed.
Suggest that you ease into it -- spending a few days to a few weeks in the
office at the outset, meeting people and getting to know procedures. Then,
during the first three to six months on the new job, make frequent visits.
Selling secret #11
Your Most Valuable Source of Prospects
In one of his best selling books Dale Carnegie tells the story
of Howard Thurston the most successful magician in his day. Howard Thurston's
magic shows attracted the biggest audiences and he was paid more money than
any magician of that time period.
As famous as he was, Howard wasn't considered the most skilled
at executing the magic tricks. Some of the younger magicians were actually
more technically competent. But Howard continued to attract the biggest
audiences and earn the highest pay in his profession.
So what was Howard Thurston's secret?
Before the younger magician's would go on stage they would
peek out from behind the curtain at the audience and say to themselves, "I'm
going to fool all of you with my magic tricks."
Before Howard Thurston would go onstage he would peek out from
behind the curtain at the audience and say to himself, "I love my audience, I
love my audience, I love my Audience."
The audience could feel Howard's concern and appreciation for
them and they loved him for it. People would invite their friends, relatives
and associates to Howard's amazing performances. As a result they flocked to
his shows in droves and many came back to see him multiple times.
How did he do it?
So how did Howard Thurston get to be such a master at getting
repeat and referral customers?
He did two critical things.
FIRST, he delivered an excellent product – his great
entertaining magic shows.
SECOND, he really cared about his audience (customers).
Howard truly meant it when he said to himself, "I love my audience." Howard
realized that if it wasn't for his audience he and his family wouldn't be able
to live the wonderful lifestyle they enjoyed.
The magic of referrals in your sales.
Referral customers are the most profitable and enjoyable type
of customers to have. Because they were referred by a friend or someone they
trust they don't feel like you are some unknown or untrustworthy total
stranger. They already have a certain amount of trust in you at the very
start.
Referrals also have a multiplying effect on your sales.
Referrals you sell refer others and they refer others and suddenly you have
the snowball effect.
How do you gain regular steady referral business as a salesperson?
FIRST, delivered an excellent product – a product(s)
you believe in.
SECOND, really cared about your customers. And prove
you care by giving them the unexpected extra service that average paid
salespeople don't. Really caring and serving is a powerful trait most all the
highly paid salespeople I know share in common.
THIRD, ask for referrals.
Do you know you have a great product that really benefits
people?
Do you care about your customers and their friends?
Can you honestly answer yes to both of those questions? Then
wouldn't you agree you have an obligation to ask for referrals to help more of
your customers and their friends?
Let me show you one way this is done.
Do you feel you are getting valuable tools from these selling
secrets? (My assumption is yes or you probably would not be reading this.)
Do you know other salespeople or hope-to-be-salespeople that
would benefit from this free selling secrets program? (My assumption is yes,
most salespeople know other salespeople.)
If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to
forward the email you got for this session to them. Invite them to try it by
clicking the second link in the email.
What a great way to have a positive impact of your friend's
career and their family income. And what's even better is it doesn't cost you
a penny to help them.
Now you try it.
Start asking your satisfied customers for the opportunity to
help their friends in the same way you helped them. It's that simple.
11
Internet Myths Debunked
State of Florida Offers Free Money For Hurricane-Proofing Homes
Homeowners qualify for the free inspection and money if the home was built in
2001 or before. The home has to be insured for $300,000 or less and the
homeowner must have a valid Homestead Exemption. $5000 is the maximum amount
that the state will match for the cost of improvements. State officials said
it takes about a month to get the inspector to a house. To sign up, visit
MySafeFloridaHome.com