Have you ever heard that networking is the best way to get a job? Even in the digital age, this remains true. As a result, many online jobseekers find that joining a work at home forum is a great way to get to know others in similar situations. Not only is it good to talk to a community who understands your own situation, but you can seek advice and even employment if you network correctly!
Finding work at home forums is relatively easy. Use your favorite search engine and type in “work at home forum”, plus keywords for the industry you work in. You may have to search a bit to find one that’s active and high-quality, but it’s worth the effort.
The registration process varies with each forum, but follow it carefully and be sure to read all the terms and conditions, rules, and other documents presented for you to agree to. Some have very specific limitations on who can and cannot join, and what you can post. You don’t want the embarrassment of being “discovered” if you’re not supposed to be there or to accidentally post something that isn’t allowed.
Before jumping into the posts, look for “stickied” threads. These are threads that are at the top of the forum and often say “RULES”, “Please Read”, etc. They will answer the questions you might have about the forum, as veterans get annoyed answering the same questions over and over when people don’t bother to read the rules! If there’s an introductions thread or section, make use of it and post a short introduction about yourself, what field you’re working in, your background, and other relevant things. If it’s a more casual forum, you might want to add some things about your personal life, too.
Begin to contribute in any way you can, and you will be recognized soon as someone who cares enough to help others. You will start to make friends naturally and network with others, possibly more successful than yourself and possibly less so. It doesn’t really matter what “level of success” they’ve attained, as you can learn something from nearly everyone, and they might just have the contact you need.
Don’t be obnoxious when you hear about an opportunity and demand or beg for it. Instead, approach people indirectly or with a light touch and they’ll appreciate your tact and lack of pushiness. If job ads are posted directly on the forum, subscribe to the subforum if possible and keep checking back. Another thoughtful thing to do is contribute to the thread if you find that the opportunity is a scam or a dud, just to save other people the trouble of coming to the same conclusion.
By becoming part of a community with interests similar to yours, you could not only make some very good friends, but also have a built-in forum in which to network, find out about the latest trends in your industry, and sometimes even get hot jobs before they’re posted to the public!