It's not that hard. It may take some time, but most people who really want a home-based job can find one if they really want to. I have worked various home-based jobs over the last ten years or so and am making enough in a home based job right now that I can't justify going out and getting another one. I am going to give some basics on how to find a home based job here. You're welcome to contact me if you want more specifics. I'm NOT an expert in this but I've done it successfully enough times that I feel pretty confident in what I'm saying. These are real jobs and real work, but they are at home and some will allow you to set your own schedule.

#1 NEVER pay for a job. If they ask for any money up front whatsoever, they are probably not legit and and are just trying to see what they can get.

#2 Brainstorm a list of things that you can do. It doesn't matter too much whether you've done it professionally or not. Make up or have someone make up resumes for various "jobs" that you can to. Gear your resume to suit the job. Don't just have a resume that covers everything. You have to show an employer that you are the person for them.

#3 There are a lot of websites that will help you find home-based jobs that ARE legit. www.moneymakingmommy.com and www.guru.com are just two of them. Once again, if they want money, they are not for you.

#4 One of the best sites to use to finding an at-home job is Craigslist (www.craigslist.com) I have gotten at least 5 jobs through Craigslist over the years. The key word you're going to be looking for is telecommuting. A telecommuting job is an at-home job. Look in your local market and pick 3 or 4 other markets in larger cities (Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, doesn't matter). If it's a telecommuting job, it doesn't matter where it's based out of since you'll be working from home anyway. Look in whatever tabs your experience would lend itself to under the jobs category. Look at whatever markets you pick at least 2 or 3 times a week. You could pick one market other than your own to look at everyday and alternate.

#5 When you see a job you feel you can do and that is telecommuting, email them according to the directions given. Make the email look professional. Write a paper-type business letter as an email...contact info at the top, the whole bit. You have to stand out from the crowd. You don't have to give them your address or phone number to start with; an email address is plenty to start with. Put your resume in with your letter. DO NOT make your resume an attachment!! Most businesses will not open attachments unless they directly ask for them for fear of viruses. Instead, write in your letter that your resume is following and after your letter, skip a few lines and copy/paste your resume.

#6 DO NOT contact them back right away. You're usually wasting your time. Wait at least a week before you contact them again. If they want you, they'll contact you.

#7 Getting an at-home job is largely a numbers game. The more ads you answer and try for, the better chances you'll get something. Write letters to anything you feel even remotely qualified for. You'll eventually get an email back and you'll go from there.

I hope this helps anyone who might be interested in finding an at-home job. I don't mind if anyone PMs me if you have any particular questions. Once again, I'm not an expert in this area, but I believe I know enough that I can impart a bit to others who may be interested.

[ArthurDent]

Thanks, Maranara! This is great info!

[Trippin2.0]

Thank you, it's much appreciated Maranar!

[ladytiger]

craigslist i dont know why people place their hope in a site with a lot of scams and killings. i would never use craigslist again i think people seriously need to pay the news attention on craigslist issues. it can happen to you in the state you live in i always tell myself that hence is why i dont use craigslist!

Originally Posted by ladytiger

craigslist i dont know why people place their hope in a site with a lot of scams and killings. i would never use craigslist again i think people seriously need to pay the news attention on craigslist issues. it can happen to you in the state you live in i always tell myself that hence is why i dont use craigslist!

You never meet anyone you work for; there is absolutely no risk. There is nothing more wrong with Craigslist than with Facebook or any other social media where people can meet. How many sexual predator's have been caught luring young girls using Facebook? It is impossible for these sites to be completely policed. When you're online, you can literally be anyone you want to be. Who's going to know if you are or not? Not to be mean, but how do you know the people you talk on PC to are who they say they are? The best advice is to take caution, with Craigslist or anything else for that matter. I have NEVER met an employer face to face that I've worked for from home.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by ladytiger

craigslist i dont know why people place their hope in a site with a lot of scams and killings. i would never use craigslist again i think people seriously need to pay the news attention on craigslist issues. it can happen to you in the state you live in i always tell myself that hence is why i dont use craigslist!

Thanx for that! I NEVER use Craigslist anymore. Every "telecommuting" job I found on there required a sum of money upfront and if you were lucky, and worked your ***** off for a few years and spent a lot more money, you MIGHT get a small percentage of your money back. I also tried for over a year to find housecleaning jobs on CL, but everyone I contacted-or contacted me--were actually looking for prostitutes. There have been a lot of incidents in my area lately where people have gotten raped, killed, or stolen from via Craigslist ads.

I really, really don't know why I continue to try to help people when all I get in return is badmouthed and invalidated.

[ECHOES]

I love craigslist and browse regularly. Thanks so much for your telecommuting information. You are very generous and helpful to take the time to put this together!
Thank you!

[pogar246]

Thanks for the info. It is very helpful. I am in need of a job.

Originally Posted by ladytiger

craigslist i dont know why people place their hope in a site with a lot of scams and killings. i would never use craigslist again i think people seriously need to pay the news attention on craigslist issues. it can happen to you in the state you live in i always tell myself that hence is why i dont use craigslist!

In any place you put yourself out there, you take a chance. The fact is craigslist is just a vehicle for posting ads. I post all the time and have successfully sold and bought many things via craigslist. You have to be smarter than the scammers. Obviously if you're talking to a stranger you take the measures necessary to avoid the scammers criminals and psychopaths.

I could say the same thing about going to a daycare with my child or finding a babysitter! There's enough horror stories about babysitters and daycares that if you took it as the norm you would never leave your kids with anyone!

You could end up with a sociopath employer in any method you choose to find a job that involved working individually at home with the person hiring. It doesn't matter what method you choose to find them the risk is always there. Craigslist posters are in no way more crazy or scam-prone than any other way.

How about dating sites? People shouldn't use those either? Why? because there are a ton of scammers there! Heck I got one that tried to hook up with me and the difference? I'm smarter than the scammer. I picked up pretty quickly that they were fake and probably were going to try to scam me out of money. I blocked them in every way. Funny. As soon as I did they disappeared off the dating site I was on too! Hmmm.. so should I stay away from that site too? NO, just be smart enough to not jump into something where you haven't investigated enough about the person on the other end.

Carry it to the extreme and you should not use gmail, there are phishers, don't use web sites, there may be spoofers, don't use the internet there may be sniffers and hackers looking to steal your identity! Ok yeah so that's the extreme of it

In a nutshell, yes there are scammers on Craigslist and the lesson here is, be smart. Know what you're getting into and don't take their word for what they offer. Get proof, get evidence that they can and will pay you for what they want you to do.

Ok I'm rambling but I'll end with this. I've ended up with somewhat scam-like behavior in the freelance field of art too. People who would want something but drag the job out asking for changes repeatedly to their art until after weeks have passed the salary or fee they are paying is next to nothing. So I just started asking for 50% up front to start the job. that way if they flake out on me, I'm not out a lot of money, I've at least got half even if they or I walk away. How does that apply? Find ways to protect yourself. Don't live in a shell like everyone out there is going to take you for a ride. They might but if you're smart, you can keep them from doing so.

Nuff said.

Good Post Mara and although craigslist is only one method, I think it's a good thing you mention it. Definitely at least one vehicle for finding a work at home job.

Originally Posted by Maranara

I really, really don't know why I continue to try to help people when all I get in return is badmouthed and invalidated.

Maranara, I think the information you provided to help others was excellent. I counted five other posts that thanked you for your help and obviously appreciated your attempt to pay it forward. You got two posts that were in disagreement with what you suggested. That's the world, Not everyone is going to agree with what you suggest. Let it pass like water off your back. People who appreciated your suggestions might benefit from what you posted; the others are taking a pass. It's okay. You can't please all of the people all of the time!

Just to add another 2 cents, I've bought and sold on CL many times over the years. Never met a scammer or killer. Met some pretty nice and interesting people though. A deal typically involves at least a 10 minute convo about the item in question and swapping stories about the activity in which the item is used e.g. the substance abuse counselor who bought a jeep from me to transport his clients to job interviews and retreats... the drywall contractor who bought an autofeed screwgun who for 45 minutes discussed construction in general and the current contract he was working on. And numerous people who just talked about life in general.
The worst experience I've had on CL is the no-shows.

Originally Posted by Jaybird57

Maranara, I think the information you provided to help others was excellent. I counted five other posts that thanked you for your help and obviously appreciated your attempt to pay it forward. You got two posts that were in disagreement with what you suggested. That's the world, Not everyone is going to agree with what you suggest. Let it pass like water off your back. People who appreciated your suggestions might benefit from what you posted; the others are taking a pass. It's okay. You can't please all of the people all of the time!

I know, but it is the basis of my mental health issues. I have virtually no self confidence and esteem even about things I know well and am passionate about. I can have a hundred people say positive things and one person can come along and put me down and he will be the one I dwell on and believe. I wrote this and some other things lately that I knew I'd hear about but my passion about it insisted I write it. I just have a hard time dealing with the negative. I am working on it. Thank you and everyone who's given their support. It has not gone unnoticed.

[High Treason]

Thanks for posting. You have a lot of really good suggestions, and I'm sure people will find your post useful. You could also add Elance.com and oDesk.com to the list of sites with lots of freelance work you can do from home.

[knowswatcher]

Thanks Maranara ... this information is helpful to me since i'm looking for some work to add to my income.

Originally Posted by High Treason

Thanks for posting. You have a lot of really good suggestions, and I'm sure people will find your post useful. You could also add Elance.com and oDesk.com to the list of sites with lots of freelance work you can do from home.

There's a number of sites you can use to find things. The reason I stressed Craigslist and emphasized it more is because it's been the more successful for me. Just remember to limit the info you give them at first and don't pay a thing. They pay you. You NEVER pay for a job opportunity.

[just2b]

Ameriplan is good. I think. I know of some other companies that are work from home not home based business.

I'll have to double check but I believe Ameriplan is a home business scheme that I fell for about 10 years ago, but I'll double check and post my findings here. I'll also look through my resources and post another one or two real at-home work sites. This may be a good place to compile websites for people to refer to. Thanks

I double checked. I attempted Ameriplan a number of years ago and I would put it in the category of a scam. They attempt to sell "low cost heath care" as discounts from doctors and pharmacists. They are legit, but I'm pretty sure you have to pay and the vast majority of people who sign up to do it will make nothing. They are probably pretty big right now with the health care laws in a shambles.

A few legit places that I've used in the past:

http://www.writerswrite.com/ Has a classified section geared towards freelance writers.

http://www.workathomecareers.com/workathomemain.html
Legit site with a lot of possibilities in many different fields. Even though they are legit, some of the postings may not be so use the rules of thumb I gave to be safe.

http://www.tjobs.com/ Another good one with lots of IT and telemarketing jobs.

I hope this helps a lot.

[Squaw]

I really appreciate your honesty for those of us who realize your intent to help others..it means a lot to me to hear someone who wants to help other people. You are a kind person indeed..........Maranara ♥

[just2b]

I have found Alpine Access, Convergy, and NEW Corp with at home job opportunities

Very cool. If they have a special site set up to apply at and you don't mind sharing, please do so for other's benefit. I'll look back through my resources and post a few more sites shortly.

[H3rmit]

> I have virtually no self confidence and esteem even about things I know well and am passionate about. I can have a hundred people say positive things and one person can come along and put me down and he will be the one I dwell on and believe. I wrote this and some other things lately that I knew I'd hear about but my passion about it insisted I write it. I just have a hard time dealing with the negative.

I saw those two comments as being more reactive than on point, more about their own experience in a different direction than so much a comment on you. They didn't quite get that you don't meet the employer, it seemed. It was really about them, not about you. Sometimes it feels really good to be able to draw that line and not take things personally. (Not saying it's always easy or I always do it right.) So, just another way to look at it that can be self-protective.

Originally Posted by H3rmit

> I have virtually no self confidence and esteem even about things I know well and am passionate about. I can have a hundred people say positive things and one person can come along and put me down and he will be the one I dwell on and believe. I wrote this and some other things lately that I knew I'd hear about but my passion about it insisted I write it. I just have a hard time dealing with the negative.

I saw those two comments as being more reactive than on point, more about their own experience in a different direction than so much a comment on you. They didn't quite get that you don't meet the employer, it seemed. It was really about them, not about you. Sometimes it feels really good to be able to draw that line and not take things personally. (Not saying it's always easy or I always do it right.) So, just another way to look at it that can be self-protective.

My head and my emotions often do not work together and my first reaction to most situations is to get defensive and to take things badly. I do realize, when looking at things in hindsight, that I overreacted and that people may not have been against me at all. At least I realize this; at one time I don't believe I got it, but I still have a lot of work to do to not react badly in such situations. I am a teacher by nature and will often step out of my comfort zone for this benefit of others. That original comment was also written when I had just stood up for my beliefs on several other points and was cut down including someone breaking their friendship with me because I couldn't possibly believe what I did and still support them. I am trying to learn from this and not let it get me down. I do not begrudge other people's opinions just because they are against mine. My initial reactions, however, are often extreme and impulsive...part of being BPD and something I'm trying to learn from.

I hope some people have been helped and have gotten inspiration to find at-home work from this thread. If you have, I'd love to hear from you, and I will post some additional sites to search for at home jobs soon.

[H3rmit]

I just hope what I said didn't come across as a criticism. I am not sure how to interpret your reply. Sounds like you are aware of reactivity, and I didn't tell you anything new -- and that's okay. You seemed so distressed initially, and I just responded to that.