At best, online jobs allow you to make money without having to commute or wear pants. At worst, these gigs trick you into giving up your money and personal information. And somewhere between these extremes, online work can be a waste of time.
Learn how to spot scams and wasted work when searching for jobs online or receiving mysterious and useful opportunities.
Step 1: Government-only listings are promised
The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Administration websites warn against posts that offer special access to certain federal jobs or guarantee placements for a fee. All federal government jobs are available for free at usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Employer is keen to hire you
BBB recommends avoiding employers who offer you a job on the spot without an interview, even if you are a qualified candidate. Similarly, you should question employers who advertise that the job doesn’t require any skills, says Nick Roper, president of Side Hustle Nation, a blog and community for entrepreneurs. “Realistically, what employer would want that?” he says.
Step 3: You will be asked for your credit card or bank account information
Ostensibly, the company wants this information to run credit checks and set up direct deposits. There is also a possibility that your money will be stolen.
Step 4: The company overpays you
According to the BBB, common techniques include: Using your banking information, a fraudulent employer “accidentally” overpays you with a fake check. Then, request that the check be deposited and the difference sent to the company. As the BBB states on its website, “For legitimate jobs, we will never overpay our employees or ask them to send their money elsewhere.”
Step 5: You must pay in advance
The FTC warns against employers and recruitment agencies that demand training, certifications, inventory, or other fees in exchange for work. The job may never materialize. Asking for money upfront is bad enough. If your employer specifically requests payment by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or gift card, do it.
Step 6: I feel a little sick about the live show.
“One of the biggest things job seekers need to pay attention to when looking for jobs online is their intuition,” says FlexJobs, a job site that offers work-from-home, freelance, part-time and flexible work opportunities. says Bree Wyler Reynolds, Senior Career Specialist. . Many of the people she talked to who fell victim to her scams, she said, felt insecure about their work at some point, but she continued anyway. Reynolds speculates that people keep doing these gigs because they desperately need a job or because they believe good things will happen to them.
spot a scam
Be wary of job postings that include any of the following red flags.
A government-only list is promised: The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Administration websites warn against posts that offer special access to certain federal jobs or guarantee placements for a fee. All federal government jobs are available for free at usajobs.gov.
Employers are eager to hire you. BBB recommends avoiding employers who offer you a job on the spot without an interview, even if you are a qualified candidate. Similarly, you should question employers who advertise that the job doesn’t require any skills, says Nick Roper, president of Side Hustle Nation, a blog and community for entrepreneurs. “Realistically, what employer would want that?” he says.
Credit card or bank account information will be requested. Ostensibly, the company wants this information to run credit checks and set up direct deposits. There is also a possibility that your money will be stolen.
The company is overpaying you: According to the BBB, common techniques include: Using your banking information, a fraudulent employer “accidentally” overpays you with a fake check. Then, request that the check be deposited and the difference sent to the company. As the BBB states on its website, “For legitimate jobs, we will never overpay our employees or ask them to send their money elsewhere.”
You must pay in advance: The FTC warns against employers and recruitment agencies that demand training, certifications, inventory, or other fees in exchange for work. The job may never materialize. Asking for money upfront is bad enough. If your employer specifically requests payment by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or gift card, do it.
Live feels a bit bad: “One of the biggest things job seekers need to pay attention to when looking for jobs online is their intuition,” says FlexJobs, a job site that offers work-from-home, freelance, part-time and flexible work opportunities. says Bree Wyler Reynolds, Senior Career Specialist. . Many of the people she talked to who fell victim to her scams, she said, felt insecure about their work at some point, but she continued anyway. Reynolds speculates that people keep doing these gigs because they desperately need a job or because they believe good things will happen to them.
“But if something doesn’t feel right to you, listen to those feelings and pay attention to your instincts,” she says. “The time has come to either investigate further or retreat. But don’t just keep going, hoping for the best.”
know your worth
So you’ve waded through fraudulent job ads and found a reliable employer who will pay you. But that doesn’t mean the opportunity is worth your time. Learn how that compensation translates to hourly wages. For example, if you earn a certain amount of money per task, how many of them would you complete in an hour? Then, to see how this new opportunity compares, consider the value of your time and effort. judge. Here’s how:
calculate: Reynolds suggests calculating your hourly wage from your most recent pre-tax annual income. Divide these earnings by the number of hours worked per year. Let’s say he earned $35,000 before taxes. In this example, he would divide that salary by 2,087 hours. This is the number the federal government uses to determine an employee’s hourly wage. Your hourly rate would be $16.77 ($35,000/2,087 = $16.77). Reynolds says he then increases that $16.77 by 20% to 30% to account for business expenses, tax obligations and other costs associated with freelancing. If he adds 20% more, his rate will be about $20 per hour.
Research the market. Knowing what employees like you earn can ensure that you receive equal pay. “Find out what salaries and wages customers and employers are offering for skills and occupations like yours,” says Reynolds. “Searching the Internet, scouring job ads, surveying colleagues, asking LinkedIn groups for help, and contacting professional organizations in your industry can help you determine your worth in the marketplace.”
Once you’ve found an online job opportunity with a reputable company and a competitive salary, you’re ready to earn a paycheck even in your pajamas.
