People claim to have earned thousands of dollars online and working at home. Is there truth to this?

Yes. Many people made it big time online. Indeed, there is money in the internet, bundled with these are also tons of scams and hoaxes so be careful.

PTC or pay to click sites, are they legit?

Yes, some PTC sites are legit but many also fly by night. Meaning, they are there just to get the money then disappear as soon as they get what they want. Most PTC sites pay from $.05 to $10 per click.

How will you know if the PTC site id legit? Here are some pointers:

1. Determine the age of the website, if it has been in existence for a long time, it must have paid money to clickers and is doing good business.

2. Read comments of people about the site or the service. If the PTC site is a scam, most likely it is already busted. Read other people's comments about the site to know if it is legit or not.

3. Try searching Google with the search term: site+scam, site+hoax or any word combination that will attach the site to being a hoax or scam.

Blogging, can I earn money from it?

Yes! Blogging is the best way to earn money online in my opinion because your efforts directly affect the earning potential of your blog. The problem with blogging is it is not for everybody. Once you have setup your blog, you can earn money from it by offering advertising like Google Adsense, Infolinks, etc., doing paid reviews or selling links.

Job Search Websites- Plagued By Scammers

Scammers are everywhere, and in the internet, many people resort to scamming to earn easy money. Job search websites have been targeted by scammers lately and many have fallen prey to their the devious ways. The rule of thumb is: if it is too good to be true, it is indeed not true- in other words it is a scam.

Lately, there was the proliferation of an ad in job search websites where a family in UK is looking for a nanny or house help to work for them in UK. The salary is really tempting at 1000 to 1500 Pounds per week. Of course lodging and food will be free because the nanny or house help will be staying in with them. To make it appear legitimate, the scammer sometimes even posts a picture of a family. Do you want to see the actual ad? If you are interested and for you to have future reference on the same types of scams, you can view the actual scammers ad here: Nanny Job Scam

Brilliant isn't it? The ad is very detailed in every aspect especially on the work incentives and working conditions. Any gullible or naive person can easily fall prey. It was found out that if you respond to this ad, you will be contacted and and obviously will be hired. As soon as they got you believing it is indeed your chance of a lifetime, they will be asking you to cover some of the expenses of bringing you to London or wherever that may be. They will then ask you to send it to them and that you don't have to worry because they will pay you as soon as you start working with them. As soon as you send the money, the communication stops and of course your money is also gone.

Now that the internet is very accessible everywhere and posting of this kind of ad is easy and free, how can we spot a scammer? Here are a few tips on how to spot them.

1. It is too good to be true, usually, the salaries or incentives are very high that if you have that work, you are the luckiest person in the world. The working conditions are almost perfect.

2. The ad in not under a legitimate name or company.

3. They will ask money from you. Once a soon to be employer asks money from a soon to be employee, it is a red flag. Don't send money! It is a scam. Employers are suppose to be the ones giving money from the employees and not vice versa.

Always be wise when applying online.

The Ups and Downs of Working At Home

The ability to control your working time, to watch your favorite shows in the morning and to not answer to a boss, this seems to be something everyone wants to have. With these in mind, the natural answer pops up: work at home. But is it really a good thing as we all believe? To be frank, that would depend on your mind set. Working at home may seem a breeze because you are in your natural environment, without the need to answer to anyone, wear stuffy uniforms and be on time. For most it is a dream come true.

However, this is not always the case. To be successful home based worker would require more than the usual perseverance and determination, especially if you have just transferred from an office to a home job. Before deciding to work at home, you might want to know some of these facts, tips and hints about what “home based” really means”.

Deadlines

Working at your own pace does not mean submitting work results whenever it suits you. Deadlines exist and they must be followed at all cost. So basically, it’s not all about “free time” as you seem to think. Rather it’s all about “juggling time” and meeting that deadline.

Your Own Time

It may sound good, but work at home is not for the lazy. You may lie around all day and you may watch your favorite soap, but not doing any work during the day may very well equate to working all night. This is a fact, with deadlines to meet, the boss is not required how you spend your day, just make sure the report is on his email tomorrow.

No Excuses

Yup, if there’s a power outage in your area, nobody cares. Just Meet The Deadline.

Keeping the Working Place Working

It’s amazing how much a workplace affects the work quality. And I’m just not talking about office environment but the office itself, the desk, the chair, the computer, your personal space. Good work is often ruined by small problems in the office like a missing stapler or an overload of papers that should have filed somewhere. Fact is, a clean and orderly desk is something that is often overlooked but can be the most important facet of office work.

Knowing where everything is placed and having them at hand whenever you want them increases efficiency. Whether it’s to grab a stapler, punch a few papers or retrieve the files you saved in your flash drive. This is actually a problem nowadays since flash drives are so small and can be easily misplaced under a pile of paperwork. What if you really, really need something printed and the flash drive did a disappearing act? This article focuses on some ways you can polish your desk of the unneeded clutter that would pave the way for a more efficient working relationship between you, the desk and your job.

First of all, if your desk is initially “messy”, then you might want to set aside a time to clean. Perhaps after work or during lunch, whatever works for you. Now, the most efficient way of keeping your desk neat and orderly is on a per second basis. Meaning, you will assign designated spots for specific objects and keep them there e.g. the ball pens on the right side. However, not everyone is capable of this. You might want to try putting a box on one side and place everything there that you don’t have the time to put away properly. This way when you need something and it’s not in its proper place, then it’s in the box. You can rearrange the contents of the box at the end of the day.

Why Follow Up A Job Application?

Why Follow Up?

As an applicant, you want to make yourself unique from other qualified candidates. This is where a follow up letter comes in. During the process of applying itself, you may have chances to show your individuality to the employer. However, when the application process is over and done with, you might want to remind them of your individuality through a follow up letter. Some fail to do this because once they have done the interview, they automatically assume that the ball is in the employer’s court.

Basically, a follow up letter is to remind your employers about your willingness to take the job and the various talents and skills you possess that makes you the best candidate for the position. However, you don’t go through these information automatically. You will have to go through a number of steps before eventually getting to the part that you want the employer to read.

First, you would have to thank the interviewer for giving you the opportunity to learn more about the open position. After that, go over your interest in the position and your capabilities that would suit the organization’s needs.

You can e-mail or mail the letter depending on your choice. Basically, it would depend on how fast the decision will be made regarding the position. If you expect a decision for a few days, then it might be best to send an e-mail for fast delivery. However, if it would take a few months, you might want to try regular mail since it’s basically guaranteed to reach the employers desk.

Try to search around the internet for various types of follow up letters that you can incorporate. Remember, a follow up letter can be a decision maker for some interviewers so never underestimate the move. Good luck!

Work Stress and De-Stressing Yourself

Are you gaining or losing weight rapidly? Feeling emotionally unbalanced and consistently having body pains? Insomnia? You’re probably feeling the signs of work stress. It happens when you’re getting too enmeshed in your work that everything else becomes immaterial. Don’t let this happen to you as when ignored for prolonged periods, stress can be a real killer. Stress is usually brought on by too many overtimes, not enough free time and too much thinking about work problems in the future. Ergo, you may think that what you’re doing is best for the company, but the truth is that you could be damaging the business by damaging yourself. So let up on the overtime and rid yourself of stress. Here are a few things you should know to melt off the stress blues.

Exercise

– get rid of the pent up energy by exercising. Don’t spend it in front of the computer but rather take up a ten or twenty minute walk around a park or some greenery. It doesn’t really matter where, the important thing is that you get to stretch your legs and separate your thoughts from work. Get a bit of fresh air into your lungs and starts de-stressing yourself.

Relax

– Buy a good book and start reading your way into relaxation. Let the accumulated stress drift away by getting lost in a book somewhere. This would help you remove work off your mind and concentrate on something else that is “fun”.

Sleep

– sleeping is the best form of relaxation. It completely turns off your mind off work (unless you dream about work!). If you’re experiencing insomnia due to the stress, then you might want to take a few walks or do a little physical activity before eventually falling to sleep. This would relax your body and get it tired enough to be ready for bed. As much as possible, try to hit the sack at the exact time each day to slowly get rid of the insomnia.

What You Shouldn’t Do at Interviews

Your job interview might be the most important part of looking for a job. Regardless of how good your resume and test results are, if you fail the all-important interview, you won’t get hired. So how do you gain leverage during the interview? As employers get more and more creative at conducting interviews, hopeful employees are starting to learn the “right” ways to behave while continuously adapting to the interview changes. Here are some of the things you must not do during interviews that will gain you leverage.

Too Much Talking Nonsense

The interview is about the job, not about your favorite Hollywood star. Unless the interviewer opens that up, you might want to stay away from that topic. Your main goal in a job interview is to talk about the company and your most likely contributions to it in the event that you get hired, period. Here, you must show how eager you to be part of their roster of employees by showing that you have done your homework and mostly knows about the basic workings of the particular business.

Don’t show that you’re nervous

Smiling is okay. In fact, smiling is great! But smiling throughout the interview nonstop would be job interview suicide. Too much smiling translates to nervousness, the same way wringing your hands or stomping on the feet transcends that you are not feeling comfortable with what you do. Granted, this might be quite hard, but you can always practice before the interview. If you just can’t control the nervousness, then you might want to translate it into something not automatically seen.

No Jokes

Jokes are ice-breakers, true. But the thing is, not all people relate to the same types of jokes. What might be funny to you might only make the interviewer frown. Might as well skip the jokes and go straight to job mode.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job? Answered

So you’re out of a job and the reason you left your last one was for reasons you’d rather not discuss, especially with your prospective employer. Let’s say you and your previous boss had a big argument resulting to your resigning in a flurry of anger. But the problem comes up when you’re applying for a new job and is being asked why you left your last one.

Now, if you were asked to fill out a form, the best thing to write there would be a “difference of opinion” between you and your boss. But once you’re asked to explain in detail, you might start to flounder.

In any case, remember the importance of a good reference. Along the way, you will need people who know how you work and the extent of your ability. So basically, the best choice would be to mend your fences and talk to your previous boss. Chances are he or she is also regretting the rash decision and might be even eager to talk to you. So you might as well pick up the phone and talk about what happened.

However, if you just can’t bring yourself to do this and there seems to be no other choice, then your best bet would be to be honest to your prospective employer. Give your account of the event but never, ever blame it on your previous boss. This might only be the cause of further rifts between you and your past boss, and it might be viewed negatively by the interviewer.

If you’re reluctant to do any of the above-mentioned things, then you just might want to give credible references that won’t be questioned by the interviewer. Credible references is sometimes enough for a prospective employer to make his/her mind without further asking about your past employment.

Friends in the Workplace

Office life is not just about work and overtime. As everyone knows, it also caters to our social life and s us to meet new people through officemates/workmates. However, it might be fun to explore the world of new friends in the workplace, but bear in mind that some “friends” aren’t exactly healthy for you. Although some may testify that having a harmonious and friendly working environment heightens the efficiency of workers, associating with the wrong ones can damage your career. So who are the “right” ones and the “wrong” ones? Read on and find out.

Constructive Critics

At work – or anyplace for that matter – there will always be someone who will criticize something that you do. However, the trick is to look for the one who honestly cares and gives constructive criticisms. No need to feel resentment over this person as sometimes, these “constructive critics” are really helping. Try to listening to some of them and you might find your work quality gradually increasing. And the best part? You get to return the favor.

The Old-Hands

It is never wrong to try to learn from the masters. This is why you should try sticking with them and learn a few tricks of the trade. Just because you already have a job doesn’t mean you don’t need a mentor. You still do, it’s just a different kind of mentor. The Old-Hands will be able to help you get through some of the highs and lows of your career since they’ve already gone through those things themselves.

The Gossips

Now these are the ones you might want to avoid. Although gossip is such a juicy part of the workplace, spending too much time doing it is a certain hazard to your career. Try to minimize this fault and maintain as little contact as possible with people who like to talk too much.

When a Friend Turns into Your Boss

It’s not surprising that at the course of working for the same company, co-workers elevate into the status of “friends”. After all, you spend 8 hours of your day together for the whole weekdays, each lunch together, overtime together and get irritated or be irritated by the boss together.

But what happens when that “friend” elevates into “boss”  status? Or perhaps you become the boss? Whatever the change, here are a few things you should know when a change in office status occurs.

First things first, you have to realize that the relationship is no longer the same. Basically, boss would have access to information that the others don’t have. Ergo, if you’re the new boss, don’t try to temper what you say. And if your friend is your new boss, don’t ask too much. Bottom line is that something in the office has changed – don’t try to break that down. Just go around it.

However, the most important thing to do after any significant change is a long talk with the friend. Usually, if this happens, you must set the “boss” mode aside and just talk “friendship” style. Acknowledge the fact that something has changed and find a way to get through it. If you’re happy for your friend, then don’t be hesitant to say it to her/him. If you’re feeling resentful, then try to work out that feeling before being snide about the new “boss”. An office promotion doesn’t eradicate the friendship but only puts it on a different level. Try to walk around it, discuss it with a friend and realize that there will be things you can’t talk about anymore (like complaining about the boss).

Remember that the friendship should be separate from what you do as a boss or vice versa. Recognize it and don’t step over the lines.

Reasons Why People Leave Jobs

Nowadays, it’s hard to find a job. Worse, it’s harder to find a good job. So why is it that people leave their occupations and try to go for greener pastures? Here are some of the reasons why people leave their current positions. If you’re experiencing most of them, then it might be best to start looking for different avenues.

Not enough Compensation

Salary is the foremost reason why people leave their jobs. This is because a major factor in choosing a particular job is the salary, if the salary is not enough, then there’s no point in staying in it. Be more aware of what your employers are paying you and how much it should really be.

Boredom sets in

There comes the time when the work is no longer challenging for the employee. The work may no longer push him into doing his best and this can be quite frustrating not only for the employee but for the employer as well. Sometimes, this can be a major player in leaving or staying on a job. Some employees, regardless of high their salaries are will not hesitate to resign because of boredom

No Career Advancement

Nobody wants to stay at the same position for the rest of their life. This is why the lack of career advancement can be a big frustration for employees. If your boss has been keeping promotion a promise but never delivering on it, then it might be time to look for another job that won’t hinder your advancement.

These are only some of the reasons for leaving a job. Others include not enough recognition on the employee’s part and sometimes health considerations are also taken into play. Whatever your reason, try to approach your employers in a professional manner. Note that sometimes we mix boredom for burnouts, so if that’s your reason, try getting a vacation for a few days, relax and see if you’re still bored by the time you come back.

Caps Lock and Procrastination

The web is abuzz with the latest news in the career field. New Zealand’s ProCare Health has recently fired and employee for sending emails that was deemed confrontational. Why? The font was typed LIKE THIS, and its colored red. The email was sent by Vicki Walker to fellow workers in the company and talks about how a form should be properly filled out complete with detailed instructions.

Someone in the company did not approve this email style and had eventually got Walker fired. However, Walker sued the company for wrongful termination and walked off with 17,000 dollars compensating for lost wages and other harm caused by the firing. So it is really possible to sound confrontational in an email, a text message or even a letter? Perhaps it entirely depends on the person reading the message.

Regardless, the answer may still be up in the air, but there are also time honored work “no-no’s” that are not up for discussion. One sure fire way to get a bad reputation in the work place is through procrastination. It’s the same as cramming for an important test but worse. Working life has no grade computations that can help lift your average point at the end of the semester. It’s a “do or die” field that sums up your career worth in a matter of projects. The time honored excuses you use for your lack of homework no longer applies here. And no matter how much you think that it’s the adrenaline high induced by time pressure that gets you up, the fact is, one small fortuitous event can wrap up your whole career life for you.

Although procrastination is somewhat of a habit, you don’t have to stick to it. Learn to make a schedule and stick to it.

A Guide for Transmission from Office to Home Based Job

Home based jobs are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the internet practically eliminating the need for everyday commute. People dream about having to spend their days the way they want without the restriction of office hours (and a boss!). However, a home based job is not as good as anyone thinks. In fact, it can quite be taxing for those who are used to the 9 to 5 routine.

So what constitutes a problem free change of work place? Following are two of the most basic guidelines to help you adapt to the change in pace.

Establish a Schedule

When you work at the office, it’s usually not hard to follow a schedule because you are basically settled in the workplace, surrounded by fellow workers who work. The setting itself is an enough inducement to work on whatever project you have. However, this is not the same in a home based job. The setting will be hard to adjust into and most of the time, you will find yourself saying: I’ll do this later. Don’t. Instead, write a schedule and follow it. Or perhaps just tell yourself that “today I will work for this many hours”. This would help you set a goal to achieve. You will find that once you have settled into the routine, everything else is easy.

Put up a Home Office

Don’t make the mistake of setting up wherever you decide to. Although this works for some people, the fact is doing your work at the living room, kitchen or bedroom can cause you to be distracted from what you should initially be doing. For example, instead on working on the emails sent by your client, you might get sidetracked by the flat screen TV sitting in front of you. As much as possible, set aside a part of the house where you can work uninterrupted.

Being an Excellent Executive Assistant

It may sound like an easy job, but the truth is, being an Executive Assistant can be quite taxing on, especially for those who are just starting in the job. An executive assistant is basically the link between the executive and everything else. This includes call screening, travel coordinating, fixing the calendar and all in all trying to fit a hectic schedule in a day. Executive Assistants require skills that are usually honed through training and personal perseverance. So what does it take to be an excellent executive assistant? Read on and find out.

At the Tip of Your Fingers

Make sure to keep every information current and available. You’ll never know what file folders the boss will ask for next so don’t tempt fate and keep your files updated. It also pays to stay one step ahead of the boss. Keep your mind working and if you can’t be one step ahead – then walk with your boss at a steady pace. Maintain and organized file system so you won’t fumble when the boss asks for a particular file. Get organized; maintain a diary or a PDA to ensure organization. Try keeping everything at their proper places so you won’t waste precious time looking for something.

Know What Comes First

Important projects require important attention. You have to keep this in mind if you want to become an excellent executive assistant. Learn to juggle the work and perfect multi-tasking by manipulating your time to suit your needs.

Stay Calm

This is very, very important. The Executive Assistants office environment is often plagued by unexpected changes and unbending schedule. Situated at the midst of it all, you have to keep your head or otherwise, the bad situation will only get worse.

It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!

Acing the Competency Interview

Interviewers nowadays are no longer just concerned about your social status, what you did on your last job or how long you plan to stay at the company. Now, with competition getting steeper and steeper, businesses are concentrating on finding quality workers that would help them in making the company successful. This is why they have devised different interview styles and questions to have an in depth assessment of possible candidates. One of these is competency interviews. If you are not yet sure about how well you will fare at this type of interview, then read on to ace this step to employment!

First of all, a competency interview is a style wherein your prospective employer tries to learn how you have fared in difficult situations in the past. From the name itself, the interview assesses how competent you are when faced with particularly hard situations as this would predict how competent you will be in the future – hopefully while working for them.

The right and wrong answers are usually dependent on the person asking the questions. Before a competency interview, interviewers usually study you resume, assess the skills you have written there, decide whether those skills are vital for the position you are applying for and start to form a draft of possible questions. Regardless of the job you are applying for, the usual scenario goes like this. They will first ask about:

The most difficult part in your previous job.

The most difficult situation you have encountered during your previous job.

What you have done to fix the situation.

What was the result of what you have done.

These are the major questions asked so better start preparing for it. Since its you who provides sets the stage by supplying your previously most difficult situation, then start thinking answers up right now. Good luck!