Devoted to WAHMs -Work at Home Moms

Many aspiring work at home moms are so eager for gigs that they’ll accept anything that looks promising, without doing much research on who it is they’re actually working for. Many jobs are from legitimate businesses, but others are from individuals looking to profit from an Internet-based business. Some enter into business without having a clue, and disaster can strike for all involved.

Amateur Hour

Now, just because an employer isn’t a well-known name doesn’t make her a scam. Sometimes though, things don’t work out for a variety of reasons. Especially with people who aren’t sure of what they’re doing. I’ll give you a case in point:

A year or so ago when I was looking for some great freelance writing gigs, I came across an advertisement from the proprietor of a brand new writing website. The “editor” was looking for various articles about the business end of freelance writing and offering decent pay.  She would love to have me on board.

I visited the website and found a variety of poorly written articles, then I Googled my potential employer. I found out her only writing experience was through a low-paying online content portal, and that she really had no business hiring writers, and especially editing their work. Again, this was a totally legitimate opportunity, but what happened if a potential employer Googled my name? Is this the type of place with which I’d want my name associated?

Check Before Releasing Personal Information 

On the other side of the coin, I remember an uproar a couple of years ago. One of the members of a popular work at home job site offered an awesome opportunity. She and her partner posted the details and updates as to when the site would be live. She promised lots of work for lots of people and lots of WAHMs signed up. She asked each WAHM for very personal information, including driver’s license numbers. Then she and her partner disappeared.

After some research, the WAHMs found she and her partner were one in the same. More research turned up this same person under a variety of screen names and aliases, doing a variety of jobs from phone sex to content writing. All of the WAHMs were frightened and weren’t sure what this person was going to do with their information. she signed back on to the forum under another name and mingled with the regulars as if nothing had happened. A year later a few of us put two and two together and she admitted what she did, but claims the business just fell through and she never scammed anyone.

Do Your Research 

My point is this: do your research. In the old days we went to an office for a face to face interview. The Internet doesn’t allows us this luxury. Before applying for any position always research your potential employer thoroughly. Check with other WAHMs, Google names and contact the Better Business Bureau. You could be working for a Fortune 500 Company or you could be working for Joe Schmo who has a website but no money. It’s better to be safe than sorry.