Work at Home Jobs and Secret Shopper FAQ
What is a Work at Home Job?
A Work at home job is a job that one would perform from their own home office. It has also been referred to as a work from home position or telecommuting work. The main idea behind the work at home job is that one would not be commuting to work to perform their duties.
Are Work at Home Jobs Full-Time?
Some could be full-time work, while others could be part-time or temporary. Some will even hire a person to work partly at home and partly at the worksite. It all depends on what the company needs the work at home person for.
What types of jobs could be performed from a person’s home?
There are many types of jobs one could do from their home office. Some of them include:
· Administrative work
· Customer Service
· Sales
· Writing
· Web design
Do you need skills to work at home?
Yes. Work at home jobs is not a type of job. They’re just a place where the job will be performed. The type of position you’re applying for will require some sort of skills. For example, if you’re applying for a customer service position, you will need skills for that position.
What type of equipment will I need to get a work at home position?
This, of course, will depend on the type of job you’re applying for. The basic equipment you should own are:
· Computer with high-speed internet access
· Basic Office software programs
· Printer
· Phone
You’re home office set up should be in a noise-free or distraction-free area.
Can I have my children home with me while I work?
It’s possible to do, but keep in mind that even though you’re home you will still be expected to perform your duties in a timely and professional manner. You may have to arrange for someone to care for your child if you’re doing phone work, as employers won’t tolerate the background noise while you’re on the phone.
What exactly does a secret shopper do?
A secret shopper is contracted by a company to pose as a customer in one of their stores or wherever they’re needed. Their job is to evaluate the service they receive to retrieve the necessary information the company is looking for. A Secret Shopper could be looking for how their customer service complaint dept measures up or how well a salesperson did their job. Whatever the company needs you to evaluate.
Do these companies actually pay you to shop?
Absolutely. The form of pay you receive will depend on the company that hires the shopper and what type of assignments one is hired for. Some will pay by check, gift cards or even provide you with a free meal –if you’re evaluating meal service. Each company is different and they will lay all that out when you’re hired for an assignment.
How much money could I make being a secret shopper?
This would depend on what company is hiring you and what assignment you’re given. Some companies will pay $10 per assignment, while others may pay $100 per assignment. Usually, the higher paying assignments come after you’ve proven you’re worth to them.
What types of shops could I be evaluating?
There are many types of shops that one could be hired to evaluate. The more common are:
· Department stores
· Clothing stores
· Restaurants
· Movie Theaters
· Amusement parks
I don’t live near any large towns that have shops in them. Could I still be a Secret Shopper?
Certainly. Many of these companies have online shops that need to be evaluated, while other companies may be willing to pay your mileage to drive a certain distance to shop for them. Check with the company you’re looking to shop for to see what they have to offer you.
I hear some of these secret shopping companies are scams. How can I determine whether a company is legit or not?
Legit companies will not promise big money right off the bat. Most secret shoppers make smaller amounts of money to begin to prove their trustworthiness before actually getting a higher paying assignment. Research a company before applying and read reviews of others who have used them in the past. This can help you weed out the bad companies before wasting your time applying.
