Be leary of job ads asking for a picture with your resume.

It is no secret that there are ads out there asking for your picture to be sent with your resume for administrative and clerical jobs.  What is that all about?  Why is your picture needed to be considered for hire?  Be leary of these people asking for your picture along with your resume especially if its not a modeling gig in which case the ad would ask for your portfolio and other references.

Red flags should go up for ads like these.  For an experiment, I answered an ad like this.  I received a reply to chat via instant messenger.  The person on the other end explained what the job would entail and that there is a potential to make loads of money.  Then he asked for my picture because at the time, I hadn’t sent one with my resume.  I asked him why does he need my picture.  If I’m a potential, set up an interview to speak with me.  He said no, a picture before hand is better.  This way it gives  him an idea of who he’s talking to and that he can get a better vibe before he hires me.

I said right away “no thanks”.  I also told him that this move is a dangerous and risky move.   I said ‘nice talking to you’, your lost.

Another scenario I’ve seen online is people advertising for someone to come in as a personal assistant slash housekeeper and they too ask for a picture.  This is no good.  Never send your picture.  There are reports that people who ask for pictures have bad intentions.  So dont fall for it.

THOUGHT I’D LET YOU KNOW.

A Word from our Manager on Scams! A Helping Hand Office Support Service

A Helping Hand Office Support Service has been in business since 2005 and online since 2006.  We’ve seen other businesses like ours come and go.  We know the pressures of running a business in this type of industry.    AHHOSS informs the public all of the time about the various scams that are out there and how they can harm the average consumer.  We’ve seen first hand some of the scams (online) that are out there because we receive the emails too.

Our office is not dedicated to ripping people off.  We provide information and services to people that are in need in the office industry.  Our work is guranteed therefore you have nothing to lose.  If you are not completely satisfied, we will refund your money and or complete the project to your satisfaction.

Do your research when looking to outsource your office work.  There are 100’s of virtual assistant companies on the internet willing to give you a hand.  Make sure you know who you’re talking to by getting their contact information.  Communication is key to sustaining a healthy relationship with anyone.  Make sure the company you chose knows exactly what kind of services you need and you need to make sure they provide such services.  Too many times, miscommunication is the culprit in business deals, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of the client. 

Feel free to contact us if you have any type of questions that pertains to the work we do.  Simply send us an email:  FBynes@gmail.com.  Please allow 24-48 hours for a reply.

A Helping Hand Office Support Service

A Helping Hand Office Support Service; Revised Website

Our website is under construction and undergoing changes.  Please refer to our email address if you wish to request a quote for services. 

Email:  FBynes@gmail.com

We take pride in making our clients happy.  We will post to our blog once our website is up and running.

 

Thanks for your time!

MGMT

Scams on the rise and soaring!

It looks like internet scams are here to stay.  Their visibility have increased in the downturn of our economy.  With people out of work, employment scams have run rampant.  It’s sad because so many people are looking for work, trust the internet as the best way to find a job.

Thousands of people fall victim to internet scams everyday.  You would think the numbers would be lowering with all of the information and warnings pouring all over the web.  Because the victim numbers are high tells me the scammers have become more sophisticated with their schemes.

Type of internet scams

credit card scams

data entry/work at home scams

investment scams

credit repair and loan modification scams

You name it and it’s a scam out there for it.  My advice is to research before you commit to purchases, job opportunities and services.  Look for reputable websites – that carry the Better Business Bureau seal (I would contact the BBB) Some sites are known to have a fraudulent BBB seal to show validity.  For purchases, I would contact the number on the site and speak with someone check the validity of the store and the same goes with sites that sell services.  SPEAK TO SOMEONE FIRST.

Ditch those emails of people claiming to be from a foreign country and need serious help.  Don’t even open those!!

Another threat to scams on the internet

the email(s) carry dangerous viruses, trojans or adware to take your personal information

IF YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE THE SENDER, DON’T OPEN IT!!

Job sites

How safe is your personal information on your resume when you submit it to sites like Backpage and Craigslist?  Anyone can post an ad soliciting employment and it be a hoax.  How will we ever know.  Now, these people have your name, address, email address and phone number.

USE THE REPUTABLE JOB SITES – THE ONES YOU TRUST

Monster.com

Yahoo hot jobs

Jobing.com

Jobs.com

Careerbuilder

Thanks for stopping by

We wish you all to be safe while online.

A Call to Type; Virtual Assistants to the Rescue

Typing is one of the most mundane and time consuming tasks in the back office of any business.  Just the same, it has to be done.  Reports and letters have to be formatted and typed to keep the business afloat.

This kind of work can be delivered and assigned to a virtual assistant.  Not only will  this free up time for you to focus on other things, it also saves you money.  The cost of hiring a Virtual assistant is minimal compared to hiring a ‘temp’ or a full time employee.  You only pay for the work performed.  Most virtual assistants hours are flexible where as with an employee or temp, the hours are set, usually Monday-Friday, 9a – 5p.   Also the virtual assistant is not geographically challenged.  As long as she has a computer, a phone, a fax machine and a printer, she/he can perform the tasks you set – it doesn’t matter where they’re located.

Tools for the Virtual Assistant

Computer (high speed), computer programs (Microsoft Word), printer, a scanner, a phone line, a dedicated fax line (or internet fax), email program, an organizer and ordinary office supplies (pen,paper,white out, etc)

Types of clients

Small businesses, plumbers, architects, doctors, lawyers, contractors, dentists, organizations, hair stylist, mechanics, temp agencies, clinics.. and the list goes on and on.

As long as you have a need to outsource your work, a Virtual assistant can help.

A Helping Hand Office Support Service take pride in our work and we value our clients.

Need help?  Take the time and shop for a Virtual Assistant.  You’re gonna wish you did a long time ago!

How much do you trust your boss?

How much do you trust the person that pays you at the end of each work week?  Are there days you go home with the gut feeling of that being your last day on the job?

We told you we would talk about some highly controversial issues, stuff that may make you go “Hmm”, I never thought of that!”

Back to the blog post.  You seem to have a very important position and by all accounts is doing a fantastic job.  Your name has come up several times in ‘raise and promotion’ meetings and you know this because a little birdy told you so.  You have no reason to believe otherwise because you have been given the up most praise by your superiors.

Three weeks later, you’re called into the boss’ office – just you and him.. He tells you your work stinks and needs improvement.  He says he’s willing to accommodate you as much as he can to make sure you’re happy and the company is happy.  By now, you’re saying to yourself  “what the hell is going on?”  You leave the office with a lump in your throat and pit in your stomach (so much for lunch).  Rumors have it, the boss is looking for new, young people that can do the job twice as fast and for less money.

Turns out the rumors were true, you got the can on Friday, with your paycheck in hand and new people hired to begin work the following Monday.

What do you tell your family of all of the events that happened?  It was just a few weeks ago you were praised and now you’re looking for another job.

How much do you trust your boss? or the company you’re working for?  Should we even be concerned who we’re working for since so many people are being laid off  and we have a job?

Virtual Assistant services needed now more than ever!

I wrote a blog post last year in June regarding livelihood of the Virtual Assistance industry.  It was then we mentioned that business owners were doing all of the work themselves and lowering opportunities for virtual secretaries.  Since then, we’ve seen changes.  For starters, the huge dip in our economy – layoffs and foreclosures.  It looks like America’s unfortunate circumstances actually resuscitated the industry.

Layoffs are at a high, with hardly anyone working.  The show must go on and these big companies realize this.  Our in-house statistics show that 40% more companies are in fact outsourcing their work.

This is great news for Virtual Assistants.  We were worried the industry was on the helm of non existence.

Other things a Virtual Assistant can do to stay afloat

Create products to sell

Write EBooks

Affiliate Marketing

Article writing

Become a multi-VA practice

Virtual Assistants can help Loan Modification companies and Attorneys

Flexible and versatile are virtual assistants.  They can accommodate you by assisting you with your clerical and back office needs. These services can range from answering your phones to sending follow up email or letters to existing or new clients.

With so many homeowners facing the risk of losing their home, more and more loan modification companies and attorney offices are inundated with the back office work.

The virtual assistant you hire must be organized and able to follow up when needed.  He or she must be able to complete each task in an efficient and timely manner.

Please note:  the role of a virtual assistant is to alleviate their client of an overwhelming work load.  No real estate license is needed to assist with making phone calls and processing paperwork.

If you’re in need of support, seriously consider hiring a virtual assistant.  It would make your business run a lot smoother.

Online Profiles; They can hurt your chances of getting the job you want.

What you don’t know can hurt you.  In fact, it can come back and bite you in the butt.

Your resume is well written, your interview was successful.  The recruiter says to you that he has a few more interviews to do but thinks you are ringer for the job.  The recruiter tells you that he will contact you in a few days.  All is well.

By now, you’re confident you got the job and then the phone rings.  It’s the recruiter!  He tells you he’s made a decision about the open position.  He’s decided to give it to someone else.  He tells you why he didn’t choose you.  “You have immaculate skills, well versed and would be a great asset to this company.  However, we googled you and saw a profile that painted an entirely different picture of you”  “This company is looking for someone who shows responsibility even while not at work.  I’m sorry, we wish you luck.”

It is now you had no idea how your profile got involved in the process of you finding a job.  You were not thinking about your profile when you interviewed.  You take a step back and sigh a breath of sorrow because you were passed over on a great job.  Now what do you do?

These days, more and more companies are checking online, researching their applicants.  They are making their decisions based on the style and content of profiles placed on the internet.  You wouldn’t think it happens. You thought they would call a few of your references and make their decision.  Oh no!  We live in a high tech society folks!  Companies have a lot at stake and want to make sure the person or people they hire fit the bill.

I would advise anyone looking for a job or a career move to check your online profile.  If the content is questionable or your pictures are racy, change it.  Because employers are watching!!

How Effective is your Resume?

In the last 3 months, we have been assisting clients by designing thier resume and tracking jobs for them.  Some of them have told us that they have not found the job they wanted.  While we continued to search, we noticed the vast numbers of other people also looking for work.

Unemployment have tripled in the last 30 years according to statistics.  This means three times more people people are searching for employment and 3 times more resumes being reviewed by potential employers.  How does your differ from the next applicant?  What makes that potential employer want to chose you?

Your resume has to sell  by addressing your skills and showing how you would be an asset to the new company you are applying for.  List key points breifly detailing how your previous employers benefited from your skills.

The guy or gal doing the hiring isn’t concerned about how fancy the design is on your resume but how well scripted it is.  A poorly written resume will be dismissed as quickly as taking out the morning trash.  If you are unable to compose a well articulate resume, hire someone to write one for you.

We wish you well in your success!