Where To Look For Working Online Opportunities

People often ask if there really are legitimate online jobs. The answer, in one word, is yes. In fact, the question people should now be asking is not about the jobs’ legitimacy but where to find them. The difference between successful and unsuccessful job seekers is the place where they look for working online opportunities. There are a handful of them actually. Though it takes some patience, time, and perseverance to go through them, the efforts will eventually prove to be fruitful. 

Following are some of the places where you can find online jobs. Keep in mind, however, that none of them is completely protected from scams, so be extra cautious. 

1. Search engines. Use search engines to look for company websites and job boards, from which you can start job hunting. Your success, of course, lies in using good keywords. Other than “online jobs,” use popular keywords that may generate good results. The key here is to experiment and identify which keywords produce the best results. You can also try to look at how legitimate companies label online jobs in their job posts, and then use them as keywords when searching. Remember to always narrow your search by adding your field of expertise to your keyword.  

2. Job boards. Many good online job opportunities are listed in job boards. Take a close look at each job that you find interesting. Read the job and company details. Then, find more information about the company. If you can, contact the employer to ask for other details not included in the listing. If the company name and contact details, however, are not provided, you may want to leave that out. The general rule in looking for an online job is to do an extensive research about the job before considering applying. 

3. Forums. Online forums form a community where a free exchange of information is encouraged. Take advantage of it. Look for threads that might give you job leads, or perhaps you can start one. There are two ways you can start the conversation: either you directly tell people you are looking for an online job or you can ask for advice and guides, which can possibly lead you to job pitches. Gather the job leads you have and start your research from there. 

4. Company websites. Unless the company is a sham, company websites are usually the safest place to look for online jobs. Your only challenge will be identifying which company is a sham and which is not. Legitimate companies provide you with complete details about the job and easy ways to contact them. Any company website that shadows information and sounds like too good to be true is most likely a bogus. 

5. Network of contacts. Contact your family, friends, colleagues, classmates, and everyone else who you think might help you find an online job. Tell them specifically what kind of job you are looking for. The more specific you can get, the more chances they can find you a potential match. 

When you look for working online opportunities, always be prepared with your resume. See to it that it is updated, readable, and provides all the information an employer might want to know. It also pays to have a cover letter. You can perhaps have a ready template in your email draft, so you will only have to replace some details whenever you need to send one. 
