How much is a chance worth?

So there’s this job opening.

It’s a company that does call centers…. has one not too far away actually that i’ve known a few people that had once worked for…. but this job is a work at home job.

Which, really, would be great. Both for child care issues, losing the commuting issue possibilities, and because it would let me move around and change positions and such to make things easier on my wrist.

So, its a reputable company… and pays by the hour instead of by the call… offers benefits for full time, which most work at home don’t… inbound calls, mostly customer service… and if i decide to move, city2 is on their list of allowed states.

googling them, i found a news thing that they are planning to increase their at home staff by 2,000 before the end of the year. and, several news stories about work at home trends mentioning them as a stable company to work for.

 

here’s the catch though.

i would need to buy a wired router, a new headset that has usb connection and digital conversion built in besides just the noise canceling, would need to change my internet to dsl, and would need to purchase an upgrade for my computer to run their program. 

i have no problem with any of this really…. if i got the job.

but that’s the thing…. it will not let you apply without first making you run system tests, connection speed tests, and voice quality tests for the headset.

 

it specifically states that you must apply on the computer and connection you would be working from, and will also run the verification tests if a job is offered, and you have to send in something to them to get permission to work on any different system and have that system tested too before using it.

so, to apply for the job, i’d have to put down at least 30 for the system upgrade (which would actually be to the newest version), 30 for a headset that would be uncomfortable to wear while working or 40 for one with the cushioning, and whatever the deposit would be to start phone service and dsl here.

just to apply…. before i’d actually have any idea if i had a chance of getting the job, or if they would be able to offer daytime hours… or anything like that.

 

is it worth $100 or more to apply for a job? 

i’m having a bit of a rough time with this one. 

i’ve applied to literally hundreds of jobs… so overall i’d say no.

but… if this keeps away the folks who aren’t willing to put in the costs (even most call center people are going to own a headset that doesnt have usb and/or the conversion built in)… then maybe this could be a good thing.

and, there are other work at home call center things i would probably also need similar setups for. though most pay by the call or commission and can’t guarantee volume, or can’t guarantee you’ll get to work enough hours, or have goofy bidding processes to be accepted onto different projects. or are outbound calling for sales.

 

but it also happens that this is really about the worst time. at the end of the month is when my extended unemployment ends. fortunately, the state right now has an additional extended benefit thing… and the application goes in automatically after i am no longer eligible for this tier…. however, there is a 3 week processing time.

so. i know i have 2 weeks more…. then will have at least 3 weeks without income coming in, but with all the normal bills going out. oh, and car tags and taxes due for the year in the middle of it. and copayments for kiddo having baby teeth pulled, only one of which is having issues but 3 of which they want to pull by looking at the xrays.

can we say really not a good time to be asking me to buy things with no promise of being able to use them for your company? how hard would it be to allow me to go to your office nearest here and apply, then test my equipment when i’m ready to start working for you?

 

sigh. but it sounds like it could work out so well if it did go through.