Signs of a Legitimate Work-from-Home Job
My friend wants to work from home.
With high-speed internet, Skype, and a global economy, the possibility is there. But, after nearly a few thousands dollars in tools, tapes, training, and a long list of fake jobs, she still works a 9 to 5.
Are there legitimate work-from-home jobs out there?
Actually, there are legitimate organizations that offer work-from-home opportunities. The trick is to screen the job announcements for real work-from-home jobs.
Here are a few ways you can tell if a work-from-home offer is legitimate:
Testimonials
Check for testimonials. Make sure they’re real testimonials, too. “Jane B. from Tulsa” is not an actual testimonial. You can also network among your own family and friends to see if they heard anything about the offer.
History
Ask this question: Does the company have a history? Fly-by-night, start ‘em and fleece ‘em businesses fold up rapidly. You can check out their web site to see if they have info on how long they’ve been in business.
Media Confirmation
If you can find legitimate media outlets and blogs that confirm the work-from-home opportunities, that adds to the credibility.
No upfront money
If you’re asked for money to start the process, raise that ol’ red flag. There’s no reason a company should need money from you for work.
Google power
Use your favorite search engine and see if you can find negative reviews. Balance those with any positive reviews you find.
The path to legitimate work-from-home jobs start with this due diligence.
Here are a few good articles about legit work-from-home offers.
Real work at home jobs on MSN.
Landing a good work from home job requires work–CBS.
Ten best (and real) work from home jobs–Yahoo Personal Finance.
I'm George Ulmer. Matt and I started this blog and launched the Online Investing AI business. Our goal is to develop the technology to allow anyone to retire after working for 10 years.
is one of my favorite financial books of all time. It's an allegory about a guy who has a terrible job, and how he overcomes challenges to achieve his dreams.
That google idea is great advice. I find myelf using it any time I’m in doubt about any organization. All you need to do is type in “ABC Company scams”, and you’ll find out all you need to know.
I think one of the problems with work at home is that we think we need to do something new and different in order to make it happen, when in fact there’s a far better chance of finding a legitimate work at home situation if we’re working in a field we know. It may require setting it up through your employer, or a competing company, or of you setting up a home business to service and support familiar businesses.
In the end, work at home isn’t magic, it’s real world work that’s more hands on than we might want to believe.
Hi Kevin–
Thanks for your comment.
Smart employers will create more work-from-home situations, like you point out. As long as the work gets done, who cares where they do it.