Working Solutions
FAQ
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Working Solutions Agent! Here is some information about us that should help you decide whether this might be for you.
Q. What is Working Solutions?
A. Working Solutions was created in 1996, to provide more legitimate work-at-home opportunities for those caring for family members, looking for supplemental income, and wanting or needing to work from home. What started as a very small in-house operation has grown steadily and solidly ever since. The Working Solutions process is very similar to that of a bricks and mortar temporary agency, but our agent workforce is made up of highly qualified independent contractors who work solely from their homes. We partner with clients from many different lines of business, providing them with a very capable and flexible supplemental workforce, as well as a talented project management team.
Rest assured, Working Solutions is NOT a scam and our Agents are NEVER CHARGED ANY FEES to apply or work with us. Many other web sites and work-from-home publications copy and publish information about us without our knowledge, and may include invalid or outdated information. The only advertising we do currently is through our own web site.
Q. What kinds of project work do you do?
A. Each project is different, which is part of what makes our work so interesting! We do focus primarily on various types of call center (phone) work, as well as some data entry projects. Call center projects can include order processing, reservations, enrollments, customer service, sales, market research, technical support, etc. Other types of project work may be added at any time. Our technology enables calls to be routed right to the Agent's home office. The Agent’s privacy is always maintained, and there are no long distance charges. If you are only able to do non-phone work, or can only work certain hours, such as evenings and weekends, just be sure to note this where prompted on the Agent Application. Hours and requirements for each project are different, but some do include non-business hours. For most projects, Agents schedule their own hours online, one week in advance, so hours can differ from week to week.
Q. How do I become a Working Solutions Agent?
A. First, click on the "To apply to become a Working Solutions agent" and take a few moments to thoroughly and accurately complete our application form. Please be sure to complete the entire application, so you will have a better chance of being contacted for project work. Please do not send resumes separately, but you may paste resume information into the Comments section of the application.
The Agent Application must be completed online so it will be added to our database. If you have trouble opening the application form, please be sure you have done a Windows Update recently, and are using Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher to view the site.
Once your application has been submitted, you will have the opportunity to take Part 1 of our online testing at that time, or return and complete it at a later time. Once that is completed, you will receive instructions on completing Part 2 of the testing. After both parts are complete, your application will be added to our database and will be screened as soon as possible.
You will be notified by email if you have not met the standards we have set for our agent group. Otherwise, you will be notified that you are in the "pending pool" and will be considered for project opportunities that appear to be a good match with your skills, experience, home office set up, and availability. As soon as there is a potential match, we will contact you by email with a Project Notification, detailing the specifics of the available project. If you accept the terms and are selected for the project, an agreement will be drafted stating that you are an independent contractor for Working Solutions. It will also outline the scope of the project and required objectives. You will then be scheduled to go through a virtual preparation session prior to beginning work on the project.
Because there are so many qualified agents waiting for work, it can take a while to be notified about your first project. New projects can begin at any time, and each has different requirements, so it is impossible to provide an estimate of when you will be contacted. Please be patient and realize that you do not need to email us regarding your status. We will contact you directly, as soon as there is something available for you. You should be sure your ISP and/or email programs are set to accept email from anyone with an @workingsol.com email address so you will be able to receive information from us.
Q. Do I need to apply more than once?
A. No, you should only complete one application, and additional applications will be deleted. You may update your record at any time, using the "Update your Application" button and the password you establish when completing the initial application. You will need to use the email address you originally provided in your application to access your record. It is very important that you keep your application updated with a valid email address! This is how we will contact you regarding projects.
Q. Do you have work available for someone in my State?
A. Our Agents work virtually from their home offices, so most projects can be completed from anywhere in the U.S.
Q. Do you hire Agents who reside outside of the United States?
A. Yes, we are able to contract with individuals from anywhere in the world. Many call center projects are limited to US residents, however, due to telecommunications expenses.
Q. Do you outsource work to subcontractors?
A. No, at this time we only contract directly with individuals and manage all projects internally.
Q. What equipment do I need to work as an Agent?
A. Qualified Agents must have an up-to-date, reliable computer in their home, with a minimum of 256MB of RAM, and at least a 1 Ghz Processor recommended. A broadband internet connection (Cable, DSL, T1, ISDN, Satellite) is required for all projects—sorry, there are no exceptions to this. Some call center projects are not compatible with Satellite, AOL Broadband, or Wireless ISPs. Computers must be current on Windows Updates and certain projects have restrictions regarding firewalls, pop up blockers, etc. A Windows XP operating system with updated patches and critical updates is also required, so agents must be able to upgrade to one of this version before beginning a project. We cannot currently support Macintosh platforms. Call center projects also require a telephone line, telephone headset, working printer, and without exception, a quiet, uninterrupted work environment during all working hours.
Q. What happens when the project ends?
A. Agents who have successfully completed at least 40 hours on a project are eligible to post for additional projects that are available to active agents first. Agents are typically eligible to work on 2-3 projects at once. We cannot guarantee consistent work will be available, but we do our best to keep our reliable and successful agents busy!
Please remember that reliability is as important as performance, especially when working with a virtual workforce. Agents are able to schedule the hours they want to work, but are responsible for those hours once scheduled. Agents who consistently follow through on their commitments and perform well on their projects will have more success as the competition continues to get tougher!
Q. Do you provide benefits?
A. All of our Agents are Independent Contractors, and are therefore self-employed. Traditional employee benefits, such as paid time off and health insurance, cannot be offered, but Agents are able to schedule their own hours and work when it is convenient for them, from the comfort of home, without the hassles of commuting and dry cleaning, for example. Working Solutions also offers several Agent Community Perks, including discounts to major computer retailers, and Agent Rewards and Referral Programs. Speaking of referrals, if you were referred to us by one of our Agents, be sure to list them on your application, so they can receive credit for bringing us another qualified Agent!
Q. How much can I earn and how will I be paid?
A. Each project is paid differently, some by the record or entry, other by talk minutes, sales, or a combination of both. Some may be paid a set amount per project. Agents have earned the equivalent of anywhere from $7.20 per hour to $30 per hour, depending on the project. Your income will vary greatly based on the work you are doing, how successful you are, how much work is available, and how many hours you choose to work.
We offer direct deposit or can send checks by mail, and checks are issued every other week to those who have invoiced for work completed.
We do not recommend that Agents count on this as a full-time job replacement. This is temporary project work, and is meant to provide supplemental income. As an independent contractor, you are able to take advantage of other opportunities while working with us, if you prefer to have something else to fall back on during slower periods.
Q. Why can't I access the "secure agent area" of the web site?
A. We hope you now have enough information to determine whether you would like to apply to become an Agent. Thank you again for your interest in Working Solutions! If you have any additional questions that were not listed in the FAQ section, please email AgentInquiry@workingsol.com
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is in the business of providing customer service for its clients, by having highly qualified, well-trained agents available to work with clients' customers through telephone calls, web chats, or e-mails...all from the comfort and convenience of their own homes, using their own PC, Internet access and telephone line.
