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The Seven Rules That Weed Out Scams
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Jim Moore
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Dec 22, 2002 21:13 PST
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The Seven Rules That Weed Out Scams
"When looking at telecommuting job ads, how can you tell the scams from
the real thing?"
Someone left this message on my discussion board and I thought it was an
excellent and thoughtful question. My answer is simple; there are seven
rules that can weed out the scams from the legitimate jobs. Follow these
rules and the scammers will poke out like purple roses among a field of
daisies.
First look at these examples of telecommuting advertisements:
WORK FROM HOME. Escape the rat race.
Data Entry. Earn $2,000 & up a month part-time.
Will train. Call 800-314-XXXX.
RECRUITING ASST. Responsibilities include data entry,word processing and
client/physician telephone relations. 2 years exp. in clerical field,
sales experience preferred. Work at home okay, 20 hours a week. Fax or
mail resume to: Physicians Helping, P.O. Box XXXX, L.A. CA 90026
909-382-XXXX
Now, tell me which one of these advertisements is a scam and which one
is legitimate? Don't exactly know? Well then, let's study The 7 Rules of
Legitimate Telecommuting Opportunities.
Rule 1: REAL employers ask for a resume and provide an address, an
e-mail address or/and a fax number to send that resume. Real employers
never list their phone number.
Look at the Sunday Classifieds, in the job opportunities section you
will find that most employers do not list their phone number in the
advertisement. Why? Because the employer would be inundated with calls
by the curious. Most employers do not have the time or the resources to
field all the inquiries a vacancy would produce. However, salespeople
have all the time in the world to answer calls. So, if a phone number is
listed and the ad doesn't ask for a resume, be very cautious.
Rule 2: REAL employers expect skills, knowledge and experience from
applicants and usually want proof of this via resume, samples of work or
interviews. If you are not asked for one of these things, proceed with
caution!
Rule 3: REAL employers never say "NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY", instead they
use the term "entry-level" and most employers do not offer telecommuting
options for entry-level positions. Why? Think about it, it's difficult
enough to train the inexperienced "in" the work place. It's nearly
impossible to train someone from a distance and provide sufficient
supervision.
Rule 4: REAL employers state exactly what the job duties will be and the
skills required to fill the job. The more requirements listed; the most
likely the job is legitimate. Most scammers have absolutely no
information on job duties and requirements.
Rule 5: REAL employers usually don't list the job's salary. Now think of
the last time you saw a salary printed in a classified ad? The last one
I saw was a government job. Most employers ask for a salary history or
"salary requirement" from YOU the applicant. Also notice the amount of
salary mentioned in first advertisement. If you can make $2,000 a month
part-time (20 hours a week) you would earn $25 an hour. When have you
ever come across an entry-level position that pays $25 an hour? Do the
math!
Rule 6: REAL employers don't ask for money. They ask for your resume.
Don't EVER pay for a list of companies hiring telecommuters, because
employers are NOT looking for telecommuters, they are looking for
skilled and experience employees. Never purchase a "kit" of information,
you are looking for a job . . . not a lesson. Never pay for required
materials that you can't purchase from a third party. If you can only
purchase the materials for the employer then they're scamming you. Think
about it, most employers use materials and tools that are general to the
industry.
Rule 7: REAL employers never start their ad with phrases like WORK AT
HOME. They are not interested in finding a person "at-home"; they're
interested in finding an employee that will get the job done. Legitimate
jobs use headers that describe the open position like SECRETARY,
TECHNICAL WRITER, etc. Usually the option of telecommuting or working at
home is listed last, almost like an afterthought.
Now, you know The 7 Rules of Legitimate Telecommuting Opportunities. Go
back up to the two classified ads at the beginning of this article.
Which one is a scam? Which one does not fulfill the rules? Keep these
seven points religiously, and you will most likely field all the scams
that come your way.
-Rosalind Mays
Copyright © 2000 Rosalind Mays. All Rights Reserved.
Best-selling author of "The Real Deal on Telecommuting", and co-author
of "Get Your Money Back! Stop Scammers and Save Your Dollars"
www.telecommuting.cjb.net
Go to www.siennapublishing.com to learn more about her books. She may be
reached via e-mail at Roz-@aol.com
Hundreds of time-saving, money-generating tips and stories from
AMerica's largest online newspaper - TennTimes-the News.
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