Archive for November, 2009

careerBack in the mid 1990′s, computer careers were all the rage. The dot com explosion had taken the world by storm, and people who were knowledgeable and qualified to work on computers, either in repairs or operations, were in high demand. There were thousands of jobs available in the field, and not nearly enough trained people to fill them all. It was a computer job heyday, and times were good. Schools teaching computer skills couldn’t keep up with the demand for classes, and every graduate seemed guaranteed to get a well-paying job right away. The Internet is still here, and computers are everywhere. But, is the demand for computer jobs still the same, or has the recession put a damper on what was once a thriving industry?

First of all, yes, there is still a demand for computer jobs. Nearly every business uses computers, and people who can repair or operate them are always needed. This is true in just about every type of business. This translates into millions of jobs in the computer field, and there are inevitably going to be vacancies. It’s still very easy for someone to go into computer repair, website maintenance, tech support, data entry, and other specialized areas of computer operation. The need for people to fill those jobs is NOT going away.

One look at the newspaper classifieds in your area will show you this. You’ll probably find dozens of listings for computer jobs, even today. Even better, jobs involving computers are still lucrative, because so many people are still unable to use them properly. Even simple data entry jobs require someone with training. If you don’t have the skills you need to get into a computer job, you can gain those skills at your local community or technical college. There are also vocational and specialized training centers to help. Computer jobs are just as in demand as they always were, in spite of the bad economy. If you love computers or have an affinity for technology, this could be just the opportunity for you, and you can make good money doing it.

This is the fifth installment in our jobs & careers series. Be sure to check back for updates…

medical-billingWork at home medical billing jobs are advertised everywhere. You’ve almost certainly seen them listed in magazines, newspapers, and posted on the Internet. The ads sound wonderful. After all, who wouldn’t want to work from home, make their own schedule, and be paid handsomely for it? A job like that would allow you to do the things you want, spend quality time with your kids, take vacations as often as you like, and spend your time the way you choose. Who wouldn’t want that? Even better, you’re working for yourself, so you’re your own boss. It sounds like the ideal job, but is it real? Do these jobs really exist, or are they just scams? Here’s what you need to know.

First of all, medical billing jobs ARE real. Some of them require you to work in an office, while some allow you to work from home. The ads you see for these jobs, however, only tell you a small part of the story. Sadly, most of these ads are, in fact, scams. They’re run by people who want to make money by selling you a useless manual or course that won’t get you any kind of medical billing employment at all. Fortunately, it’s easy to spot a scam advertisement. The ads that claim you can make six figures a year with no experience or training are obviously scams. Ads like these abound on the Internet. Even real companies that actually hire work at home medical billers often place misleading ads. They want you to work for them, but first, they want you to buy a $5,000 training manual. The ads never tell you that. You find that out after you get excited about the opportunity and call or email the company.

Only a tiny portion of medical billing jobs ads are real opportunities. But that means that some of them ARE real. You can find a real work at home medical billing job by doing a little research. Find online reviews about the company from people who have signed up to be medical billers with them. Ask the Better Business Bureau if there have been any complaints about a company you’re looking at. Doing your due diligence will help you find the REAL medical billing opportunities, so you can finally have that lifestyle you’ve always dreamed about. Real opportunities won’t charge you a fortune for training, and can get you working fairly quickly. Find the right one, and you’ll be on the road to a lucrative self-employment.

This is the fourth installment in our jobs & careers series. Be sure to check back for updates…