Rule 2: REAL employers expect skills, knowledge and experience from applicants and usually want proof of this via resume, samples of work or interviews. If you are not asked for one of these things, proceed with caution!

Rule 3: REAL employers never say "NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY", instead they use the term "entry-level" and most employers do not offer telecommuting options for entry-level positions. Why? Think about it, it's difficult enough to train the inexperienced "in" the work place. It's nearly impossible to train someone from a distance and provide sufficient supervision.

Rule 4: REAL employers state exactly what the job duties will be and the skills required to fill the job. The more requirements listed, the most likely the job is legitimate. Most scammers have absolutely no information on job duties and requirements.

Rule 5: REAL employers usually don't list the job's salary. Now think of the last time you saw a salary printed in a classified ad? The last one I saw was a government job. Most employers ask for a salary history or "salary requirement" from YOU the applicant. Also notice the amount of salary mentioned in first advertisement. If you can make $2,000 a month part-time (20 hours a week) you would earn $25 an hour. When have you ever come across an entry-level position that pays $25 an hour? Do the math!

Rule 6: REAL employers don't ask for money. They ask for your resume. Don't EVER pay for a list of companies hiring telecommuters, because employers are NOT looking for telecommuters, they are looking for skilled and experience employees. Never purchase a "kit" of information, you are looking for a job. . . not a lesson. Never pay for required materials that you can't purchase from a third party. If you can only purchase the materials for the employer then they're scamming you. Think about it, most employers use materials and tools that are general to the industry.

Rule 7: REAL employers never start their ad with phrases like WORK AT HOME. They are not interested in finding a person "at-home"; they're interested in finding an employee that will get the job done. Legitimate jobs use headers that describe the open position like SECRETARY, TECHNICAL WRITER, etc. Usually the option of telecommuting or working at home is listed last, almost like an afterthought.

Now, you know The 7 Rules of Legitimate Telecommuting Opportunities. Go back to the two classified ads at the beginning of this article. Which one is a scam? Which one does not fulfill the rules? Keep these seven points religiously, and you will most likely field all the scams that come your way.

Happy job-hunting!

About the Author: Rosalind Mays successfully found at-home employment as an Internet Researcher after 685 hours of hard job searching. She understands that most job hunters (especially stay-at-home moms) don't have 685 hours to invest, so she created "The Real Deal on Telecommuting" and sells it for $9.00 for hard copy version and $7.00 for electronic copies. Her web page at http://telejobs.cjb.net fights against scammers by educating job hunting colleagues with the latest scam information, a free list of telecommuting jobs (updated monthly) and a message board to allow telecommuters and telecommuting want-to-be's to exchange ideas and information.
You can purchase a copy of her report online from the above web page or by writing: Sienna Publishing Company, c/o 13350 San Pablo Avenue #A1-121, San Pablo, CA 94806.