If you want to start working at home and online today,  Elance, a website devoted to connecting employers with freelancers, is an option for you.  I signed up with Elance months ago, but due to my other online work, I have not really used them.  Still, I read very good reviews about them.

Who Can Use Elance?

Anyone can use Elance to work at home and make money.  There are jobs listed for people with advanced skills and those with entry level skills.   Writers, wed site developers, accountants, Internet users, etc. are just a few of the occupations that can benefit from the site.  It is best to sign up and take a look at the job boards.  This will give you an idea of what is available.  Then you can tailor your profile around the jobs of most interest to you.

Here’s How It Works

You have to sign up and create a profile.  Your profile will show the skills you have,  and will showcase your talent  to employers.  After registering, you will have to take a brief mandatory exam and pass it with a score of 80%.  You will find study information for the test on the website.

There are other skills test listed, but they are skill specific.  For instance, if you are proficient in Adobe Photoshop, then you can take the skills test for this software.  You will display the scores for your tests in your profile to show employers what your strengths are.  So, if you see an employer looking for someone to do work in Microsoft Office, for example, then having passing scores for the Microsoft Office skills test on your profile will increase your chances of being chosen for that job. 

Finding Work

After you pass the mandatory test, and complete whatever skills tests that relate to your experience,  you can search through the job listings.  There is always plenty of work.  According to Elance, over 25,000 job posts are listed every month.  Elance uses a bidding or proposal system, meaning you will compete with others for the jobs listed.  When you choose a job you want to do, you must post the compensation you wish to receive for the job.  The employer will review all of the proposals, and choose the best candidate based on price and experience.

Also, employers search through Elance’s database regularly looking for individuals to work for them rather than waiting for proposals.  So, you may be directly contacted to complete a job.  I received an email from an employer looking for resume writers.  They found my profile, which focuses on my writing experience, and contacted me based on that.  That is why it is important that your profile reflects your experience.

Getting Paid

Every job posted should have a method of payment listed.  Some contractors may advertise using Paypal to pay you, while others may offer payment through escrow.  An escrow payment is like insurance because it assures you that the money to pay for your job exists.  Money held in escrow is released to you after you complete the job.  You can read more about the payment terms on Elance’s frequently asked questions page.

Conclusion

Elance is a legitimate option if you want to work at home.  You can sign up today, and start submitting proposals for work.  Even if you don’t have a lot of skills, you can still find jobs to do.  Some assignments only require that you know how to use the Internet. 

If you use Elance, or have past experiences with this website, please share by commenting below.    Also, if you know of websites that are similar to Elance, please share with the community.