On the Dot Writing

Applying for and having a job today have both had their fair share of transitions. Yesterday’s walk-in application measures processes slowly blended in with technological innovations. Not much difficulty for the job applicant because with a simple point-and-click mechanism, he can already land a job in this highly competitive world.

Hence, work from home online jobs were born. The Internet gave way to these exciting new work options. But then, just like traditional face-to-face jobs, several online job opportunities are also linked to controversies, scams, and other issues worth noting. I myself experienced these unfortunate job stories I thought were only found in scam sites. But let’s not talk about these for now (let’s reserve these stories for later). What I have for you right now is the lucrative opportunities for legitimate online jobs you can engage on – even when you’re in pajamas!

Not sure of how to start? Try these simple yet effective steps to making it big in your online career.

1.     Identify your strengths

Work from home online jobs, just like other work options, entail that you determine your strengths and weaknesses. This requires that you, in a way, know your passion. What is it that you really love to do even if you’re not paid? In my case, it’s writing and basically interacting with different people (marketing and public relations). I find developing creative ideas more challenging and more fulfilling – not to mention that I get to earn more than what I usually could if I am working on something else.

More so, if you are an artist, you can find your own haven in the form of graphic design projects. Or if you are interested in forming your own biz, form your own online firm (owned by and maintained by you and your subordinates, if you will be hiring other contractors). These are some of the other exciting online job opportunities you can engage on.

There’s no telling how much you’ll earn. To start, based on your years of experience or your skills concerning your passion, let’s say for a web content writer in the Philippines, you’ll get to earn around $2 to $4 per 500 words of original content or around $4 to $6 per hour of work. However, as time passes by, you can definitely move your way up and receive a higher pay, of course, based on the type of article you will be writing.

cat working on its own job - by Bird in the Hand, from Flickr

2.    Roam around trusted online job sites 

After determining your strengths and passion, it’s now time for you to apply through online job sites. Based on my experience, I’d have to say that Craigslist, Elance and Odesk are the most reliable ones (if you are looking for freelance and potential long-term work). To compare, however, Elance, I believe, has more higher-paying jobs. Odesk, on the other hand, is now a breeding ground of lower-paying ones (but you’ll find guaranteed payment ones for hourly work – made possible by Odesk Team’s time tracker). Meanwhile, Craigslist is also great. I’ve even found lots of long-term work from home online jobs though there’s still the possibility of raking in a scam. Hence, you just need to be more careful with this site for you can’t guarantee that you’ll be paid. Just a tip, though, ask for an upfront payment if you’ll deliver a large project or ask for payment at once after working on a single article (to know if the client can really be trusted). At the same time, as a responsible contractor, you should be trustworthy enough to deliver what has been agreed on, especially if your client already sent you an upfront payment. It’s a two-way street, give and take.

Now, as you look for other online job sites, you might also want to try these other freelance websites:

• Rentacoder
• Guru
• Getacoder
• iFreelance
• Sologig
• Freelancer
• Freelance Switch
• Freelance Jobs
• Freelance Job Openings
• Writing Bids

3. Be consistent with your P’s (professionalism, practice, and exceptional performance)

As time passes you’ll notice that the Internet has become your haven and you’ve experienced pretty much what an office-based professional has already gone through. From using productivity tools such as Project Management boards, invoicing systems, article spinning software programs, and others, you may now be on your way to being a manager.

Now, as a manager, you will be practicing your craft in various forms. Dealing with difficult people would just be one of your challenges, as well as stubborn clients. Make way for these seemingly obstacles, but never surrender! These are just some of the roadblocks you might consider as your burden, but again, take guard. You are on your way to toughness, my friend.

Hence, as you gain your comrades’ trust and as you lead them towards victory, remember that you are still learning too. Never lose the angst to learn. Never fear that your subordinate might pass your greatness. Know that in the process of enhancing others’ skills and knowledge, you are also onto something greater. We are all different. Thus, our personal levels of achievement would also vary.

All in all, as you experience “working in pjs”, know that you won’t always be facing your comfort zone. There are also those times when you’ll feel like the long days won’t end as deadlines rush in, clients barge you with tons of work, and even when there’s no work to fill your days ahead. During these moments, just think through. Reflect. Be at your best and consider yourself lucky… after all, whoever said that everyday’s Christmas?