A work at home job is one that is usually held a minimum of once per week and is consider to be eventually a primary job. Some people currently work every single day and now make a full time living while working at home.

The following is some updates/reports. It just gives you an idea of what real life work at home activity looks like. It gives you a guide to work with.

Some Reports

Some of the statistics in this section are quite told-from the 1990 census. However, it can give you an idea of how the percentages of people who did work in this capacity increased over the past two decades.

According to 1990 Census reports about 60% of individuals who work at home are not explicitly paid for it. Furthermore of the 40% of people who are compensated for their work at home many of them worked fewer than 8 hours per week.

Only about 14.5% of the people who did work at home worked 35 hours a week or more. Therefore, during these decades this kind of employment was basically considered a part time income.

That is, unless someone actually did make it big. That is, in the event someone actually made it big on one of those scam business opportunities.

However, it should be noted that as far as home businesses are concerned they are not all scams. You can make a very lucrative and steady part time or full time income. You could in the 1990s and you can now.

However, it is a matter of knowing what opportunities you should nail when. It helps if there has been a fair amount of test marketing or research done on opportunities. This would give you a clearer indication of how well you would do if you were to pursue a certain opportunity.

Other Updates

People who work at home are often self-employed and run their own home-based business. It is estimated that more than half of home-based business owners are under-insured.

The independent insurance agents of America (IIAA) say nearly 40% of those they surveyed are uninsured. If a person is insured a typical homeowners policy usually only covers damages up to $2,500, and a homeowner policy will not cover all damages.

For instance, if a delivery person comes to the door it may not cover all accidents. One case in point is the example of the delivery person that slips and falls when delivering a package.

More people nowadays are becoming involved in virtual customer service pursuits. This is a job that you can work at home answering incoming phone calls.

People have questions about this type of work, so we are providing the answers. Answers to questions regarding equipment needed as well as skills required are presented below. Answers about the nature of this work are also presented to you.

What exactly is a virtual assistant?

Basically it is someone who has similar duties as someone who would work in a call center. They might answer phone, take orders, or perform simple bookkeeping tasks. The main difference is that they work at home rather than on the premises of an employer.

Is this really a legitimate line of work?

It is no wonder you would ask this question, considering all the marketing scams out there. It is a legitimate work at home opportunity, but beware of companies that try to charge you to find these jobs. Those supposed “headhunters” if you will are often making you pay for something you should be able to find for free.

How do I apply to become a virtual assistant?

The application process is similar to that of any job. You will out an online or paper application and then you take proficiency tests (typing, writing, language, and computer tests). You also may be required to take a background check and a credit check as well as drug testing.

What kind of equipment is needed?

Usually you need a computer, land line phone (or sometimes a computer VOIP or Internet phone), and a quiet place to work. The needs for each type of position are very different, though. You are going to need to check in with each company to learn what exactly is required for each type of position.

Will anyone be in charge of me?

There is a management that you report to, but usually you work on your own. If you so choose, you could start your own call center and become a self-employed virtual assistant company. If you are self-employed you would be your own but if you work for a company you may occasionally have to report to management, at least to get your paycheck.

Who hires call center or virtual assistant services?

Just about any company who needs an extra helping hand in the customer service department might use these services. Businesses representing just about every industry may use these services, such as dental offices, insurance companies, floral shops, wedding planners, and more.

You already probably have heard that when The Fair Credit Reporting Act was passed you were entitled to a free credit report. You are entitled to this free access to your financial history once every 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my free credit report?

Most people get them from the FTC authorized website Annual Free Credit Report.com. This resource provides information to you from one of the three major financial bureaus-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

What purpose does this free report serve?

It provides for you a summary of all your recent and past transactions and payment history. It also provides you with a credit score and helps you become aware of any identity theft problems.

Is there any way other than using the Internet that I can used to obtain my financial info?

You can request a copy of your financial history by mail. You are not likely to receive it instantly but you are probably going to receive it within 15 days. This often is done by people who simply do not feel safe using the Internet.

Can a third party access my financial information?

Usually only authorized, licensed lenders can obtain your financial history. However, this is only done with your consent as you sign a release form.

How does monitoring my credit prevent identity theft?

You will be alerted about any unauthorized transactions as soon as possible. This will be the first step in taking action that will help get your record cleared. It could save you from a world of trouble.

How can I better protect myself from future identity theft?

Shred all-important financial documents when no longer needed. Store all financial information in secure places where no one can find it. Furthermore, choose very carefully where you shop online and do not give your credit card or banking information to vendors you do not know.