On-Line Businesses? Work-at-home Sites?

Updated on November 18, 2012
J.M. asks from Lakewood, CA
5 answers

I am so frustrated and tired; my head is spinning and my blood pressure is sky high. I have spent weeks on-line trying to make heads-or-tails of all the work-at-home sites, trying to weed out the bad ones, and trying to see if I can understand those that seem legit - but I haven't had much luck. I was hoping some of you have had some experience with or know someone who has been successful at a work-at-home job. I am unemployed, a single mother of 3, exhausted my unemployment, get very little support from my ex-husband, and now we are living with my parents. I have applied for over 300 local and long-distance jobs, but no luck. If anyone has any knowledge, background, experience (good or bad), can you please share? I am desperate. I am a quick learner, a hard worker, intelligent, computer savvy (but always learning) and very, very eager to start back to work whether it be at home or an office. I worked for 20 years doing Administration work until I was laid off almost 2 years ago. Any questions, I am happy to answer. Any suggestions, I am listening! Thanks for the time -

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So What Happened?

First, thank you so much for the suggestions. Just to update some of the questions - First, my children are 17, 14 and 11 - so being an interruption is absolutely not a problem. They are in school all day, my oldest has a part time job plus studies, and the others are doing homework in the evenings. All 3 are straight-A students in GATE (Gifted Academics classes) classes. Yes, I've applied for holiday work, unfortunately in So.Cal. there are more than a dozen job seekers for every one job opening.

Also, I lost my hearing 5 years ago - went profoundly deaf over a 6 month period - had implant surgery a year later on one side. I am blessed to hear now so I do not complain, but I am always up front with folks when it comes to a job. I can only hear about 60% on one side. Many say they would never know I was deaf, but I am good at reading lips. Unfortunately I think that scares a lot of folks away.

As for experience, I have been lucky to have wonderful jobs: For the last 10 years I did all the constituent work for the Board of Supervisors, for the County of Los Angeles. After I lost my hearing I transferred to a Department closer to home. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, I was laid off two years later. Before the County, I worked for the local school district for 10 years, I have excellent references and evaluations, etc. . . but that is of no use when you don't get called for an interview.

Lastly, PLEASE do not think I am sitting back waiting for something to land in my lap. I have been aggressively looking for work for nearly 2 years. It's now to the point where I feel I've exhausted all my options (There are places I've applied to 3 or 4 times) so now I AM trying to think out of the box by possibly starting my own website or doing affiliate work. I have recently opened an ETSY account and am selling some crafts I have worked on but that is hardly enough to support us. Plus benefits/health insurance is critical with children. (My MIL and SILs have all died of breast cancer - so it is imperative my daughters watch closely at a young age).

Again, thank you for the suggestions/comments/ideas. Please, if you think of anything else, feel free to come back to this and add it. I will let you all know when/if I find something.

More Answers

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

It is a TON of research, of many many hours, to find jobs like that.

But here is a good site for information. It is a very respectable and legitimate site, for Moms, which has helped many Moms trying to do what you are wanting to do:
http://www.mominventors.com/

But again, it takes lots of research and lots of time, to figure all of this out. But this site has good resources and information.

For the time being, since it is very hard to find work from home or telecommuting jobs, you need to get a job somewhere and somehow, to tide you over. Even if that means shift work in retail etc. Being the Holidays are coming up, many stores are hiring holiday help... which may lead to a regular permanent job.

OR, get signed up with a Temp agency. They find jobs for you per your experience. Many of these jobs, can then lead to... being actually hired by a company. And some temp agencies, do provide medical insurance benefits for their Temps.

Or there are free lancing sites. Have you researched that? Free Lancers are hired as independent "Contractors" for example.

But, even if you get a work from home job, you need to make sure: it will provide you with enough pay AND medical insurance etc. because you have 3 kids/dependents.

Or if anything, you can "babysit" from your home. But you need to check the regulations/licensing requirements in your State. But, there is always a need for babysitting. And you can get paid hourly or via a flat rate, monthly, which you decide on per the going rates in your city.

No matter what, it takes a lot of research and time. If you find anything.
Update your resume. I assume you did. Get job references etc. too.

Then, there is this:
www.gofundme.com which has helped many people, who are in hardship or in a tight situation.

And, to find a job, any job, you need to be willing... to look outside of what you have been doing in the past. Other than Administration work, as well. To open up more doors for yourself. Or ask friends and via word of mouth. And you need to be willing, to in the meantime, find a regular job or office job. Bottom line is: you need money and a job to survive and support your 3 kids.

Or, since you have 3 kids, (I don't know if they are in school or not), try... going to their school and see if they have jobs. I did that, and I work part time at my kids' school. Many Moms... do that, as a way to work and earn money and still be able to be a Mom to their kids. Plus you get to be on their same school schedule too.
Many options.

3 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Can you hear well enough to do customer service via the telephone? If yes, check out West, Convergys and Teletech. All three are call center companies that have work from home agents. It is HARD to get one of the jobs, but it sounds like you're trying everything, so why not, right?

As far as other work from home opportunities... I've never heard of any other company that is legit. There are just so many scams out there, it's kind of sad.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have friends who sell Scentsy and some that sell Mary Kay. Both groups of friends seem to have stuck with selling these two products the longest and seem to be happy. I don't use either product, but it seems to work for them.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Please don't put anything on credit. I met a newly divorced M. who ran up credit card debt and no one wants to buy the products. They are really awful tasting supplements.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

First off... I applaud you for trying

Second... No company is going to pay you to work at home and be with your children. Really???

Work at home/ telecommute jobs are usually given to those employees who are well established.

Work at home is WORK.

Those who have the opportunity have child care ( must have) because you can't work with children or pets in the background. You must be self disciplined and self driven.

I work from home running our company with hubby ( no mlm). There is no way I could do my job with children under foot. One mistake could cost thousands of dollars. I have to be spot on .

Most jobs do require you to be spot on. That's no intrusions from pets, children, etc.

Your post will draw hits from all the MLM and Direct Sales Recruiters for the get rich quick game. Beware.... Read ALL documents before you sign, invest and then prey on everyone you know to sell and recruit. For the most part, these items get tapped out really quickly and you have no repeat customers because you are too busy recruiting new hooks for the scheme.

Think outside the box!!! What are you good at?

Work with a temp agency. They are great for opening doors. I'm ex corporate marketing.... We hired from the temp pool because we knew if there was a good fit for us and the temp knew if we were a good fit as well!

Network. You never know who knows someone who knows someone and bam you have an interview!!

Get creative. Don't expect companies to search for you... You search for them.

2 moms found this helpful
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