WS Chronicle

By Ria Fulton, Forsyth County Aging Services Planning Committee

Looking to work from home, but skeptical about the outrageous “get rich quick schemes” that seem to be everywhere? If so, you’re off to a great start—it can be hard to sort out the scammers and schemers from the genuine opportunities. If you’re one of the many seniors who are turning to the web for part-time employment, then these legitimate companies are a good place to start. Unlike scams, these jobs are looking for people with particular skills and can often have competitive hiring processes—see if any of them are a match for you!

Got all the answers?
If you’re a trivia whiz or someone with interest and expertise in a particular area, consider applying to work for Chacha.com. Chacha is service that offers answers to questions people submit online or through text, and it relies on employees that are speedy and effective at searching for answers and responding to customers. Like many of the employers on this list, Chacha requires you to prove your skills by completing a test online. Only 10% of applicants are accepted, so speed, accuracy, and expertise are important qualifications to have. Think you have what it takes? Visit http://becomeaguide.chacha.com/.
http://www.Pearl.com is another website that looks for experts to answer questions for money. If you have experience in career fields from appraisals to home improvement, from medicine to entertainment, then you might be the kind of verified “expert” Pearl is looking for. To read a complete list of areas the company is recruiting for, and to submit an application, visit https://ats.pearl.com/landing.

Know the score?
Measurement Incorporated is an educational testing company with a local presence that relies in part on remote workers to read and score educational assessments. Measurement Incorporated offers seasonal, temporary opportunities to score tests from home. If you have a four-year college degree in any field, then you may be qualified to work as a reader/evaluator. Measurement Incorporated’s hiring process includes an application, assessment, and interview. Find out more at http://www.measurementinc.com/Employmenthttp://.

Are you a pro on the phone?
There are numerous opportunities to work as a customer service representative online. One company that hires concierges and customer service reps online is Aspire Lifestyles (formerly VIPdesk). Aspire Lifestyles posts a number of open positions, and you can apply for multiple opportunities. If you’re bilingual, then you’ll be in even greater demand! If you make it through the screening and assessment process, then you’ll be paid for your training. Some of Aspire Lifestyle’s opportunities are permanent—even fulltime—and include benefits. To see if you’re a match for any current opportunities, visit http://www.aspirelifestyles.com/careers-current-openingshttp://.

Great listener?
If you’ve got a sharp ear and quick typing fingers, then online transcription might be the perfect job for you. http://www.Rev.com is one transcription and translation company that hires work-from-home transcriptionists. “Revvers” have the opportunity to select projects that interest them and set their own schedule, working as little or as much as they want. Transcription projects can range from legal proceedings to marketing focus groups, from scientific research to sermons. Think you have what it takes? Apply at http://www.rev.com/freelancers/transcription. Like many of the other jobs on this list, there’s a skills assessment involved, and only around 25% of applicants receive a job offer.

Got opinions?
If you’re looking for a great way to make some extra money for giving your opinions online, there are dozens of legitimate online survey companies. Be wary of sites that promise big bucks—most legitimate survey companies pay by the survey, and the pay is generally modest (a few dollars or less per survey, depending on length.)
A few highly-rated companies to consider are 20/20 Research, American Consumer Opinions, Baker Street Solutions, Brand Institute, BuzzBack, Clear Voice Surveys, E-Poll, E-Search, Focus Forward, Global Test Market, HCD Surveys, Lightspeed Panel, Netverdix, NFO My Survey, Opinion Outpost, PineCone Research, Survey Savvy, Survey Spot, Valued Opinions, and Toluna. If that list gets your head spinning, then read reviews and stats on the best (and worst) online survey companies at www.surveypolice.com.

Got a way with words or an eye for design?
The web has made freelancing easier than ever for creative and tech-savvy types. One of the biggest hubs for posting and finding online freelancing, or “elancing”, opportunities is http://www.Elance.com. If you have skills or a background in IT, design, writing, translating, office or admin work, customer service, marketing and sales, engineering, finance, legal, or project management, then Elance may have the opportunity you’re looking for. Register and search for jobs at https://www.elance.com/q/find-work.