Chatlog 12-07-2006

Question:
I'm not an employer but a Counselor trying to assist client's in this new field.  There are 
many companies advertising work-at-home opportunities.  How do we determine the 
legitimate from the fly-by-night?
admin:
Jane says that if there is a fee attached for registering with the website to relate to 
employers, then it is usually a scam.


Question: 
Many of them, including Willow, require fees for a variety of functions.
admin: Jane says this is because you are incorporating as your own business.

Question:
I had hoped that this webcast would give us other ideas for telework other than the 
standards like Willow.   If we used someone like Precision Tune would we be responsible 
for actually going out and soliciting that company to work with our consumers?
admin:
Jane says that you will have to work with the employer, and in particularly work with the 
operations manager of small businesses.

Question:
That still does not help me distinguish between the legitimate and the scam.  Is there 
some kind of registry or approving agency?
admin:
Usually if the company is willing to send you information after you do your research, 
then you can determine if it's a scam or not.  There is no registry. However, if the 
company wants money up front, this is usually a bad sign.

Question:
I'd like to know how long before job seekers will be able to post resumes on the 
TeleworkUSA.net website?
admin: We expect that our link will be up in the next week.  The URL is 
www.TeleworkUSA.net.

Question:
I have been working as an executive assistant via telework for almost 10 years until 
recently.  I also find it hard to distinguish on the internet what jobs are truly good jobs 
and not scams. 
admin:
This is an excellent point!  Researching the company is essential.  If it seems too easy to 
come by the work (quick fix) then  it is probably too good to be true.

Question:
I want to know if the Checklist for evaluating a person for telework that was discussed by 
Jane Anderson is available online.
admin:
Yes!  Send an email to janderson@RESOURCE-MN.ORG  Or you could go to the MITE 
website and ask a question there.


Question: 
Unfortunately, many of our consumers want just that; something "easy."  That makes it 
hard for us as the counselor.
admin:
That's true, which means that you may have to work with your client and conduct 
research in order to find out what's risky.  This is part of the VR process.

Question: 
I understand that the complete broadcast should be available for downloading, along with 
the text from this chat, tomorrow. Is this correct?
admin:
That is correct!  It's available as streaming video.  You'll receive the link and username 
and password by email tomorrow.

Question:
Is there a current list of employers available that are working through the Telework 
USA.net?
admin:
We do have a database of the employers that registered for this webcast as well as a list 
of the employers that helped us conduct research.  There are over 250 here today and 
over 1500 surveyed in the last year.  We probably cannot make this public info.

Question:
Will employers be posting available positions to the website?
admin: Not yet.  As of now, the job seeker will be able to fill out a short qualifying 
questionnaire and post their resume.  Employers will be able to access a query function to 
look for employees with the skills they need for placement. Employers will be able to 
post job positions soon.  Watch our website for this update.

Question: Can we access names of employers who are using the TeleworkUSA.net  to 
find employees for their companies?
admin: We cannot send that information out without the employer's consent.

Question: How do we get copies of the 3 Power Points?
admin: They are available on the webcast webpage.

Question: It says they are available as of today but where and how can we access them to 
print out in hard copy?
admin: They are available as a pdf file.

Question: Are the employers looking for entry level and advance positions?
admin: Depends on the industry sector and the company.  It can be a wide range of jobs.  
This is where it is important for  the job seeker to fill out the qualifying questions 
accurately b/c employers will be querying for this information.

Question: So is there a screening process for employers on the telework website to ensure 
legitimacy?
admin: Not at this time.  Great suggestion!

Question: The questionnaire for qualifying is it currently available on the website?
admin: The questionnaire is for the job seeker and it is a series of questions that they 
follow through the resume process.  This portion of the website will be up and running 
next week.  Just send your job seeker to www.TeleworkUSA.net!

Question: Do you have to have RealPlayer to access the pdf file for the Power Points?
admin: No, just ACROBAT reader.

Question: Will you receive any feedback that can be shared from employers about the 
webcast and/or the project?
admin: We do an on-line evaluation and can share this input via the website 
www.TeleworkUSA.net.

Question: Is telework in some way an answer  to outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
admin: Could be.  Really depends upon the needs of the employer.  We have found it to 
be an excellent alternative.

admin: Thanks for your questions!  We will send you the link tomorrow.

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