Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Computer Network Engineer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A computer network engineer is one who manages the information technology hardware and infrastructure for businesses, organizations and governments.

Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, although some companies require post-graduate work or degrees as well.

Skills: The ability to monitor a network’s day-to-day operations, as well as organize, install and support a company’s computer networks.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of network and computer systems administrators is expected to grow 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for these workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks..” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Think outside organizations or big businesses and target small businesses, such as restaurants and boutique retailers.

Preparation: Join the Association for Computing Machinery or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society. Both groups offer certification and continuing education courses.

Get your foot in the door: Call area nonprofits to see about work for a reduced rate for a referral or letter of recommendation.

Testimony: Jenny A. in Aliso Viejo, Calif., worked around 10 hours a week managing the IT hardware and infrastructure for a local quickservice chicken restaurant chain. It was hard for her to make time during the day for work instead of letting it pile up each evening. “It’s difficult at times to deal with the constant pull in so many directions—mother, wife, job—and still find time to take care of yourself,” says Jenny. “But I loved being home with my kids.”

Until next time,

Sarah

Avoiding E-Newsletter Errors

Having an e-newsletter can be a great way to connect and communicate with customers. But avoid these simple mistakes from "Oh No You Didn't: 3 Major Email Newsletter Mistakes" from SCORE Small Business Blog to ensure your e-newsletter doesn't end up in the circular file.

1. Making it look like spam. Most people, when getting email that they don't recognize, just delete it, figuring it's spam. Keep your headline catchy but informative. Make sure you send it from a real person to avoid getting blocked. Allow for easy opt-outs.

2. Don't build your list by purchasing email addresses. Do gather emails through your website, direct contact and through other sites. Purchased lists can backfire when recipients get annoyed with unsolicited mail.

3. Don't forget about the design. Either keep it clean or make sure the design fits the content. Don't put in too many graphics or too much copy.

You can sign up for my free e-newsletter by filling out the online form under the newsletter tab.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Inpatient/Outpatient Coder

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: An inpatient/outpatient coder enters specific codes for hospital and doctor visits for health insurance companies, hospitals and doctor offices.

Education: A degree as a health information technician a plus. Many employers require certification through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management.

Skills: The ability to correctly code inpatient and outpatient medical visits.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance. Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Contact area hospitals, doctors, specialists and other outpatient facilities to see about gaining work.

Preparation: Join the Professional Association of Health Coding Specialists or the American Academy of Professional Coders. Both organizations offer continuing education or certification courses.

Get your foot in the door: Ask other local coders for assistance in finding clients, as some might be turning down work.

Testimony: Denise L. of Crystal, Minn., transferred her job reviewing inpatient hospital stays into an at-home job more than 10 years ago. “I had wanted to work from home for years, but had to wait for technology to catch up,” she says. “The advantages to working from home are endless.”

Until next time,

Sarah

At Home News: Juggling School and Work

The September issue of At Home News focuses on how to juggle homeschooling with working from home.

If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the Newsletter tab. I never sell or give out my subscriber list.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Scrapbooker

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A scrapbooker helps clients make pages for scrapbooks.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to assist others in making memory pages or scrapbook pages.

Job outlook: Although many people scrapbook on their own, many more don’t have the time or the skills to do for themselves. A scrapbooker can help by either designing scrapbooks or holding scrapbooking classes for clients.

Possible employers: Local arts and crafts stores might be interested in holding scrapbooking classes. Also consider holding in-home scrapbooking parties, such as for a new bride or new mother.

Preparation: Make sure you’re up-to-date on all the scrapbooking trends by contacting organizations like the National Scrapbooking Association and Scrapbook Update. Put together some scrapbooks for friends and family to showcase your talents.

Get your foot in the door: Visit local senior centers or assisted living homes to hold scrapbooking classes for residents.

Until next time,

Sarah

Listening To Your Customers

Do you hear what your customers are saying? Most small business owners probably attempt to do this, but we probably go about it the wrong way. Here are some tips from "Are You Really Listening to Your Customers?" from the SCORE Small Business Blog.

Conduct online surveys. Most people prefer to leave feedback online, so this is a great place to start. Keep your surveys short and to the point.

Call them. To delve deeper than the online survey, pick up the phone to chat with customers. If you're a one-man shop, you might consider calling one or two customers a month, starting with the most frequent. Have a two or three question list and be mindful of their time. Perhaps offer the customer a discount on their next purchase or service as a thank-you.

Do something about it. When you get feedback--either positive or negative--acknowledge it and then use it to improve your business. It does you no good to learn something about your business and then to let that information languish.

These are few simple ways to really listen to your customers. What are some things you do to get customer feedback?

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Jellies/Jams Maker

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A jellies or jam maker is one who makes her own fruit-based or other types of jams and jellies.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to make and can homemade jellies and jams.

Job outlook: Although home canning is experiencing a bit of a upswing, there are sill many people who do not make homemade jams and jellies. Metropolitan or urban areas will likely have more customers for homemade jellies and jams than more rural locations.

Possible employers: Local restaurants (especially farm-to-table ones), bakeries, organic supermarkets, and farmers markets could be great places to sell your wares.

Preparation: Make sure you’re complying with all state and local health department rules related to selling homemade goods. Take a food-safety course, usually offered through the health department or local restaurant association.

Get your foot in the door: Start by setting up a booth at a local arts and crafts fair or farmers market. Visit area stores and restaurants with samples.

Until next time,

Sarah

Take Advantage of Back-to-School

Whether your kids are in public or private, it's that back-to-school time of year. Here are a few ways you can take full advantage of a kid-free home (at least for a few hours a day).

Review your work schedule. Now's the time to make sure you're working smart while the children are not at home. For example, schedule tasks that require more concentration first thing in the morning, to give you plenty of time to finish before the dismissal bell.

Watch time-wasters. Make sure you're not frittering away work time by spending too much time surfing the Internet or updating your FB status. If you need to use Facebook and Twitter for marketing purposes, set a timer and do the promotional stuff first, then check on what you're friends have been up to.

Begin holiday preparations now. I know it's only September, but if you want to have a less stressful fall holiday season, it's time to start planning. For example, if you celebrate Halloween or dress up for a fall festival, start planning for costumes now to avoid staying up past midnight on October 30 hunched over teh sewing machine. Think about what presents you have to buy and what homemade goodies you want to make. Jot down a timeline that will enable you to keep up with your work, home and family while not leaving all the holiday prep until the last minute.

Check your tax receipts. Now's the time to do a quick inventory of your tax situation. Do you have all tax-related receipts from January 1 in one place? Have you kept up with your mileage (if applicable)? If you donate used goods to charities, have you entered the information into It's Deductible? This is especially important if you traveled for business over the summer.

Think long-term. All those projects you put off because of vacations or other summer activities? Get out your calendar and see where you can fit those into your fall schedule.

These are just a few of the ways you can kick off the school year with a refreshed outlook for the fall. I'd love to hear what my readers are doing to keep on track in the fall.

Until next time,

Sarah