I’m always looking for new work. It’s not that I don’t earn a good enough living. It’s that I know that in order to keep on earning a good living, I’ve always got to be marketing myself. That’s why I subscribe to and regular read a number of writing-related resources that provide leads on new jobs.
I know that many people these days are also looking for new work, too. Maybe it’s because their old work closed up shop. Or maybe it’s because their partner or spouse is facing a layoff and they’re worried about their income. More and more I’m seeing these “get rich from working at home” ads that just scream SCAM to me. I mean, if you really could get rich from working at home, why would anyone go to an office anymore? (FYI, a few months ago I wrote a story for BabyCenter that included some good information on legit ways to make money from home. I hope you’ll check that out.)
Anyway, I was just reading through some of these ads in my industry, and I realized something: in the writing, editing and publishing world, there are certain words or phrases that raise red flags when I see them in ads. Here are the ones that have me scrolling right on by the ads in which they appear:
- Start up
- Great exposure
- Amateur writers welcome
- College students welcome
- First-time writers welcome
- Great opportunity for beginners
- This will be a labor of love
Bottom line: jobs that fit the above descriptions don’t pay the bills, if they pay at all, know what I mean?
Now what about you: what are some of the red-flag phrases in your industry? I mean, if you’re looking to make some extra money or take on a extra gig, what words have your running for the virutal door?
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
My field is full of “volunteer opportunities” — I’m a public school teachers. We’re expected to do an awful lot for free outside of our contract. I love my work, but the increasing workload and public criticism are very wearing.