Casual Job Search, Casual Jobs, Casual Jobs Online

Using Freelance Websites to Telecommute


How is your job hunting going? Have you had problems finding legitimate jobs? I don't know if you've ever thought about using freelance websites to obtain work at home, but this should be something you look into. It might not be for you, but you never know until you try.

So what would the benefit be to using a freelance website to obtain per project work at home? The first and most obvious benefit is that you would be earning money to help pay your bills, but the less obvious benefit would be that you are gaining valuable work at home experience to put on your resume! There are many employers out there that would rather hire a telecommuter that has worked at home before and if you have no work at home experience on your resume, they may go with someone who does.

However, using a freelance website is a bit different. Many times the people posting the projects just want to use your services for a short time and for a specific project. They don't necessarily care if you've worked at home before. Therefore, it could be easier to get a couple projects like this under your belt and then you can place that job on your resume! It will look good to other potential long term employers to see that you have experience working for someone at home.

You might also be able to get projects that you don't have a lot of experience in, but want to do more of to build your resume up. If you want a full time job at home with a company, let's say transcribing, but they all want you to have experience transcribing, it could possibly be easier to get projects off a freelance websites and that way you can build your experience for the jobs you really want.

So this sounds great, right? What is the downside? I would have to say that the downside if two-fold. One, there are going to be others bidding on the same project, more then likely, so you still have competition and many times the winning bid seems to go to the person who is willing to work the cheapest. Not always the case, but it does happen. So you might not necessarily make what you'd like to.

The only other downside I personally see is that if you want the security of a full time paycheck, this might not be the way to get it. You are usually working on a project basis and then when that project is over you're done, but you need to remember all the positive reasons for trying this type of work?I choose to look on the bright side and I would rather have one project that paid me enough to cover a bill for the month then no projects and no money. Plus, you never know when you may end up with someone who wants to use you on a more part time to full time and/or exclusive basis. I have a client/friend who uses one of these freelance websites to post projects often, and she would be a great person to work for! I'm sure there are many more people like her posting projects that would be great people to work for.

There are many freelance websites out there. You can go to www.google.com and type in freelance websites or freelance job websites and I'm sure you will pull them up. The only two I've heard much about are www.elance.com and www.guru.com. Now as with anything, you need to make sure that the freelance website is legitimate and fully research how you will get paid and if there are any fees. Here is just some very basic information about elance and guru to help you get started:

eLance

Subscription fee's (in order to bid on projects)

There are different packages ranging from free to $30.00 per month

Transaction Fee

There is a fee of 8.75% commission on the invoiced project if you win the bid and the fee is called a "finders fee".

Payment

You can either be paid through eLances online billing and payment system or your regular client billing and payment process. A $10.00 fee applies for wire transfer withdrawals above one per month through their system.

Guru.com

Subscription Fee

Basic profile/membership is free

"Guru Profile/membership" will range from $29.95 to $99.95 per quarter.

Transaction Fees

It depends on what subscription plan you choose. You will need to read each plan at the Guru website to view this information.

Payment

You have to invoice the employer through Guru's billing systems. Guru will apparently be handling the funds and will send you payment via check, direct deposit, wire transfer, remit2india and paypal.

So as you can see, it can get a little confusing and there are plans in which you will have to pay a fee, but I would start out with the free subscription to get a feel for the website, for the projects posted and just to decide if this is something you would like to invest time and a little money into.

I want to be clear that you don't have to use freelance websites in order to get work at home. There are many job lead websites out there and lots of jobs for the taking, but this is just yet another way to start getting work at home experience and some money to pay the bills. Freelancing is 100% legitimate and many people have been doing this type of work for years. I know you have been preached at to not pay for a job, so how is this any different? This is more like paying to access a job lead database. There is nothing wrong with that and it is not a scam. My good friend, Pamela, owns a job lead website that is loaded with company websites and she charges a fee for you to access this. Freelance websites are much like this in the fact that they charge (for the better subscription plans) to connect you with possible employers/projects.

I would recommend having a look around for yourself, maybe ask some friends if they have ever used these freelance websites and get their personal opinion, but just remember this as an option to getting work at home jobs.

Nell Taliercio is the publisher of a weekly telecommuting newsletter that helps moms and dads work at home. Read more about the newsletter and get your free listing of job links at http://www.telecommutinganswerlady.com - She is also the owner of http://www.mommysplace.net which is a website for work at home moms and dads.

Your Ad Here

MORE RESOURCES:

WLS-TV says reporter Dan Ponce quitting to pursue music career
Chicago Tribune, United States - 11 hours ago
WLS-Ch. 7 reporter Dan Ponce is leaving the city's top-rated TV news operation to pursue a music career with his a capella group, Straight No Chaser, ...


KU notebook: Reed has career-high 14 points
Kansas City Star, MO - 7 hours ago
•Kansas guard Tyrel Reed finished the game with a career-high 14 points, none more important than making all four of his free throws in the final two ...
Aldrich's career night helps KU hold off Siena Topeka Capital Journal
Priestley to make first career start Albany Times Union
Disappearing ‘D’ KUsports
University Daily Kansan - University Daily Kansan
all 107 news articles


Boston Globe

Bowers will finish his career where it started
Florida Times-Union, FL - 10 hours ago
We won four Big 12 championships in my five year career and been to four BCS games and played for two national championships. I'd say that would be a big ...
Commentary: Tim Tebow is Florida's all-time greatest football player Palm Beach Post
Sooners’ Offense Is Like Something Gators’ Meyer Has Seen Before New York Times
Tebow puts heart, soul into all efforts Memphis Commercial Appeal
Cherry Hill Courier Post - Kansas City Star
all 1,297 news articles


Building Relationships for Career Success in a Downturn Market Is ...
MSNBC - 23 hours ago
Identifying the people who can help you achieve career goals. -- Building unique personal brands and finding the right way to broadcast them to stand out in ...


The Associated Press

A timeline of Craddick's career
Houston Chronicle, United States - Jan 5, 2009
AP Texas News By AP © 2009 The Associated Press _November 1968: Craddick is elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Midland at age 25, ...
Straus: a partisan with bipartisan appeal Austin American-Statesman
all 691 news articles


SayCampusLife

The Best & Worst Careers Today!
SayCampusLife, VA - 5 hours ago
Mathematician — If you like children, then a career as a teacher in the public schools is a lock for you. Actuary — If there is anything certain these days ...
Doing the Math to Find the Good Jobs Wall Street Journal
Mathematician Rated Nation's Best Job in New CareerCast.com Jobs ... PR Newswire (press release)
all 7 news articles


National Post

Bucks waive forward Croshere
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 19 hours ago
Croshere, who was drafted in 1997 by Indiana, spent the first nine years of his career with the Pacers. The Providence product owns career averages of 6.8 ...
Bucks waive F Croshere National Post
Bucks exploring options after waiving Croshere Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
all 40 news articles


Reuters

West's career night helps Hornets beat LA
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA - 6 hours ago
By Jimmy Smith LOS ANGELES -- Hornets forward David West made a strong All-Star statement Tuesday night here in the Staples Center, tying a career high with ...
Doing Lines: David West's Career High of 40 Sinks the Lakers FanHouse
Hornets 116, Lakers 105: (Insert your "sting" metaphor here) Los Angeles Times
Tell the world what YOU think about the Saints The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com
all 312 news articles


Sources: Nalen's pro career over
ESPN - 13 hours ago
By Bill Williamson Longtime Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen, who hiked the ball to Broncos' legendary quarterback John Elway during the Broncos' two-year ...


Examiner.com

Term limits haven't eliminated career politicians
Examiner.com - 24 minutes ago
In the years since 1992, term limits have not only resulted in term-limited politicians seeking other offices, but changed the political career path. ...

Career - Google News

Casual Job Search Home | Site Map
© 2008 Casual Job Search - Casual Jobs, Job Search, Casual Jobs Online, Online Jobs, Career Search, Best Casual Jobs