For our second week of April, we talked to Leslie Truex. She has been running Work at Home Success since 1998 and is the author of the definitive tome on working at home: The Work-at-Home Success Bible.
According to your website, you’ve been online with Work at Home Success since 1998. How has your website evolved over time?
The website always included information about telecommuting, work-at-home jobs and avoiding scams. But over the years the number of jobs I’ve been able to find and share has grown significantly. I used to share one a month. Now I post 25 jobs during the week on my blog and 20 in my weekly newsletter. The tools and resources for making money online have also grown and evolved. Information I added throughout the years include the cost of work information, international telework resources, and the blog.
What kind of feedback do you get from moms as to types of jobs they land and what works and what doesn’t work?
Most people who are struggling are either looking for the wrong types of work in the wrong places, or are experiencing the frustrations that go along with finding a work-at-home job. The competition for jobs is fierce and I don’t think many people understand just how important it is to apply regularly with a top notch resume. Even so, most companies don’t respond to submissions, so it can be difficult to not know if or when they’ll hear back, or why they don’t hear back at all.
The work they get ranges depending on the skills. I’ve had feedback that visitors have found work in writing and customer service through the site.
Can you share some tips from your new book for aspiring WAHMs?
Take time to learn about working from home. The Work-at-Home Success Bible is a good text book for that. The more you know, the easier it will be to find the right opportunity for you and avoid scams. Focus on the skills, experiences and interests you have to find or create a work-at-home situation. It’s faster and easier to used what you’ve got than to do something completely new. Make a plan and work the plan. The fastest way to get somewhere is to map it out. Never quit. Don’t let the failures, nay-sayers, and other obstacles stop you.
Can you tell us about your family and offline interests?
I don’t seem to be offline very much, but I do like to read fiction and non-fiction. One of my goals is to write a mystery series. I’m 30,000 words into the first story. I enjoy spending time with my family. We play games (board and Wii) and when the weather is nice go to the lake or river near us.
I’ve read that our country’s workforce is increasingly becoming one of independent contractors. Do you agree with this?
I think it is a growing segment because: 1) employers can save money with contractors over employees and 2) contractors can get paid more per hour in contract work than as an employee.
Are you seeing women experience success in pursuing their work at home dreams?
I think more and more women are successfully creating incomes from home, but many still struggle. The women who research and are able to make the leap from an employee mentality to one that has the focus and discipline to work independently do the best.
Awesome interview. You asked great questions and Leslie gave me hope for my own work at home dreams. Thank you!