Freelance: A Jump Start To A New Career

 

Few months ago, I had a full-time job with a stable income. I worked as a preschool teacher. All I had to do was prepare my lesson and teach and play with the students. 

The school where I worked was established in 2006, and I was one of the pioneer teachers. At that time, there were only four teachers with not more than 40 students. I was lucky that among the many applicants who applied for the job, I was chosen despite my educational background. There was really a huge disparity between the job I was applying for and my course description. Imagine, from a Political Science graduate to a full-time preschool teacher. Although I took professional education course way back 2004, it was still way different from early childhood education.

Another opportunity came when I happened to read a post at a local online classified ads. Again, I didn't have any second thoughts. I immediately sent my application and resume online to the address that was posted on that site. I got excited at the thought of becoming an Online English teacher, but then again I didn't have any experience teaching online, however, it didn't stop me from trying my luck. Just like my first job, I was assigned as the marketing assistant and circulation-in-charge for a publishing company, and the challenging part was the time I was tasked to do bookkeeping. Who wouldn't fret? I was studying the constitution of the Philippines and the next thing I knew, I was already doing some computations and payrolls--definitely out of my league.

One day, I received a message through my cellphone. The message came from the manager of the Online English school, and I was literally having cold feet and hands. I got nervous when I read the message that I would be interviewed later that day. So, basically the rest was history. I got the job--yeepee! 

Did I quit from my daytime job as a preschool teacher? No, I didn't. I was literally in the act of juggling from daytime to night time job. Soon, I found myself too exhausted trying to balance my time--work, family, and self.

First, I gave up online teaching, and months later, I quit my daytime job as a preschool teacher. The next thing I knew I was already unemployed. At first, I enjoyed the freedom of just staying at home--relaxed and carefree. I had a new title on my name--full-time mother and homemaker. I spent my time surfing the internet while my son was in school and while my hubby was busy working. 

While browsing, the word "freelancer" popped into my mind. I had been eyeing on becoming a freelancer even before I quit my two jobs. I remembered having thoughts of becoming a freelancer and entrepreneur. I did some research on freelancing, and I found many home-based teaching jobs and so many other online jobs that I can do at home.

It has been less than a month since I finally decided to give it (freelancing) a go, and then I realized that it's not easy to be an online freelancer. I am in the process of learning and getting helpful tips from experts who have managed to make it as a freelancer. I just wish that I won't run out of patience and hope.

Hopefully, I can manage to do more online jobs like article writing, blogging, and any similar jobs. Thus, gaining more experiences mean gaining more projects and income.

The internet is a difficult world to thrive in but soon you'll learn to settle. It's like a maze that you need to find your way around. You are definitely on your own trying to make a mark in the online industry where aggressiveness, determination, creativity, patience, perseverance, and resourcefulness play a major role.

I am a freelancer and it's a jump start to a new career.

A Legit Employer or Just Another Online Sexual Maniac?

          I have recently registered to this site wherein freelancers or online English teachers can post their profiles or resumes to attract students to take online classes with them. Since it's a free site and everyone can view your profile, there are certainly some dangers or risks involved. Some online maniacs are on the loose looking for victims who will fall prey into their dirty hands.

          Few days ago, I received a message from a stranger. He sent me a message through Skype informing me that he saw my profile at this certain site for online teachers, and so I replied back. Luckily (or unluckily, which I believe is the more appropriate word), he was online at that time. He introduced himself and told me that he's from Ireland and he's currently here in Palawan, Philippines for a vacation. He said that he's looking for a personal secretary who can travel with him wherever he goes and he needs a secretary to arrange his flight and hotel bookings, and do some paper works for his business. He provided me with the compensation package. But, knowing that it's impossible for me take this kind of job, I immediately informed him that as much as this job holds a wonderful opportunity, I need to turn down the offer. Then, he offered me another job which I can do at home as his virtual secretary--sounds amazing, right? And here's more, he said that he was going to pay me a sum of 10 USD per hour. With this amount of money he was offering as a compensation, I thought that perhaps the tasks might really be a tedious one considering the amount he was willing to pay. However, at that moment, I was already having doubts. I wondered whether this man was really a legitimate employer or just another scammer or even worst, a predator. Though having these doubts, I still allowed him to interview me.

          I was suddenly dumbfounded when he told me about his conditions if I were to work as his virtual secretary. He requested that if I'd be working for him, I need to pretend that I'm single--was he kidding me, seriously? And this even sounded very unprofessional, he asked me if I have a Facebook account. He even made some remarks that I look like a Mexican actress--well, I was flattered for a second with that remark. But what really surprised me the most was him telling me that I can be a model and wear bikinis--now, this was way too weird. I mean, what was the connection between hiring me as a virtual secretary and bikinis?--none, right? Besides, wearing bikinis are still far from my list of wishes. Then, he asked me if could stand up because he wanted to see my whole body. It made me furious because it was all clear to me that this guy was nothing but an online sexual predator. I needed to get away from this "scam-a-lama-ding-dong" and so I ended the conversation and removed him from my contact list.

          It is just quite disappointing that there are some maniacs who pretend to be employers, and taking advantage of people's profiles posted on different job sites. They sound very professional when they interact with you. First, they try to win your trust by saying a lot good stuff about you, but this is just one of the many strategies they use until they finally achieve in convincing you to do what they want. Think twice before doing anything and try to verify the employer's background if possible.