A Quick guide to people Looking For Work From Home,Part-Time,freelancer, returning-professionals job opportunities.

When I decided to sail alone, i.e. to start off as a freelancer after a decade of full-time employment, I wasn't sure if I would be able to get help. But I was determined to get a decent project that pays me decent and allows me to be a mother, and freelancing was the best bet!

I started with naukri.com, but not much was offered to me, I tried linkedin, glassdoor, freelancer.in , elance, odesk but it felt like I had to learn to swim along with sharks! And, in fact I'm not a great swimmer! I like to sail at my pace, on my conditions :D

So here is a quick guide for people looking to jump onto work from home, part-time or freelancing opportunities.

1. Pick Your Core Area - There are multiple types of job profile available, do not just pick one because you are being offered that, you decide what you want to do - Data Entry, Mystery Shopping, Content Writing, Recruiting, Testing, Mobile App Development and any such fields like this.
2. Get a demo project ready - The difficult part  with such kind of opportunities is that people judge you by what you have done, so if you have a good experience then that would speak, but if you are just starting off, make sure to have a demo project ready and published on www. You could use any of the free tools like word press/blogger to showcase that. 
3. Decide on your rate card - Most of the project owners would like to get the best quality work in minimum price. So do not go with what is offered, of course that again differs with you being a beginner or  a pro in the field. So if possible do some market research and know whats the market rate offered for your expertise.  You could register on these sites like freelancer.in, odesk,elance to get a rough idea. Or connect via linkedin and talk to people who are already working in this area. 
4. Shortlist and research on companies who could hire you - Just for example if you are good in mobile app development, look out for companies who work in this domain and send them a proposal they cant refuse!
5. Be Patient - The last point is the most vital and important one, you would not get a good opportunity overnight so you need to be patient and keep trying! You know - there is just one opportunity waiting just for YOU. 

I personally tried "n" number of websites to get an opportunity for myself, here are the sites I tried myself and my opinion about them -

1. naukri.com - You may get calls through this , but clearly mention in the summary that you are looking for a work from home, part-time or freelancing opportunity. Applying to the jobs displayed on naukri.com may not help, and its sheer waste of time.
2. timesjobs.com, shine.com, monsterindia.com - They are not much of any help! I personally did not get much calls through these sites. 
3. freelancer.in, odesk,elance  - These sites are good and you may get lucky [ I wasn't] , but I would not recommend these sites to beginners as the bidding strategy make you feel demotivated. When you see there are already "x" applicants for this project, you are bound to shake a bit. So if possible stay far from these sites.
4. sheroes.in - The site exclusively for women [ however even men can register] is like a genie to me. It has given me so many projects till date that I should be really grateful to them. You should definitely try it out. 
5. hersecondinnings.com - Again a site exclusive for women, did helped me in getting couple of projects.
6. doparttime.com - Although their domain exclusively say "doparttime" but I hardly found opportunities on this site. 
7. gharsenaukri.com - Not much of help to me. But they have projects to explore out.
8. workflexi.in - I guess this venture has just started as there are many issues with the website, but you may try.
9. craiglist uk and la and other cities - craiglist also is a good option to explore global opportunities, however not all people entertain other country applicants, hence you need to be clear and patient enough with this. 
10. linkedin - Mentioning clearly on your profile that you are looking for a freelancing/part-time opportunities does help. 

Hope the guide helps you to get work done. Feel free to post comments/feedback on the post.

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

About To Complete a Year

Coming Jan 2016, I would be completing an year when I resigned from my full-time employment and started working as a freelancer. Time really flies ...in

... Getting new clients and projects..
...playing with my new born and didn't missed even a second of his growth and activities
... managing maids and to make them understand that I'm still working...
... Got to know how the IT and non-IT sector works and I'll like to stick to IT world
....Lost few kgs.... yipeeee for that..
.... Made new friends.. double yipeeee for that
.... and yet again my belief of "Keep Faith" helped me

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Way Back To Blogger World!

Here I'm ... back again... yipeeeeeee!!

No matter what happens... this place always keeps you calling back... !!

Just posted a comment on fellow blogger post... and really felt nice! I miss my blogging..fun days!

Yet again...determined and firm to resume blogging! Way back home!



Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

mobile site or mobile app - Which one suits your business needs better?

mobile site or mobile app - Which one suits your business needs better?





Keep FaithChakoli :)

Beauty Products Review - Aplava

Being a working mother, I'm really thankful to sheroes for providing us with platform to be a working mother from home. recently, I was asked to write a couple of reviews on beauty products provided by Aplava and so here it goes -

First about Aplava -

• The Delivery process is not smooth and for my package it took almost a week to be delivered.
• No sms are being sent, when the shipment is out for delivery
• Yes, a mail is sent when shipment is dispatched and when delivered but each time you need to track through phone/laptop. 

Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Color

Pros

1. Quite moisturizing and didn't dried my lips
2. Able to stay upto 3-4 hrs
3. Glides smoothly and has a creamy texture
4. Even after removal you would feel your lips smooth and soft
5. Enriched with vitamin E and olive oil

Cons

1. Bit on a higher range
2. ingredients are not mentioned on the pack

Tresemme Salon Silk Moisture Shampoo

Pros

1. price is quite reasonable
2. makes your hair smooth and silky
3. instant smoothness

Cons

1. None - I couldn't think of any

Natio Ageless Dual Action Cleanser and Exfoliator

Pros

1. I felt the skin quite smooth and soft after application.
2. Very small quantity is needed each time and  so the tube would last for long
3. the aroma is very pleasant 
4. Quite easily removed all whiteheads and blackheads

Cons

1. Price on higher side

Revlon Streetwear Color Rich Lipstick

Pros

1. It gives your lip a matte finish, I quite liked it
2. The lipstick is creamy in texture 
3. Very easily stays for 3- hours
4. quite affordable

Cons

1. On removal however, I had to apply a lip balm or Vaseline to moisturize my lips
2. Aroma is not very pleasant.

If you guys wish to avail discount on aplava, just signup for sheroes - a happy community for working mother.

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

5 Reasons why you should NOT travel

Did you just made an excuse to your boss that you won’t be able to travel as you got a medical emergency? You are the person who keeps on postponing the family vacation to a Hill station with a simple excuse that your boss is not sanctioning leaves. Are you the one who loves to spend his vacation on his favorite couch with TV remote, maggi and lots of tea?

IF you answered a yes to even one question above, you are not alone! There are many like you, and the best part is they have the weirdest excuse just to avoid travel.

And if you are still wondering whether you fall into a category of wanderlust or a motionless nerd! We give you top five reasons that may conclude you love immobility, Are you ready? Let’s get started –

My Home is Safest Place on Earth!

 What if I travel and the plane gets crashed or hijacked, a cruise may get stranded on a deserted island or hit by pirates. And journey via road - Do you know how many people die each year because of road accidents? What if my hotel room is attacked and all my valuables are stolen. I get mugged on that stranger land. Gosh! I can’t travel, it seems so risky.
 My home sweet home is just the most secure place on earth!

I love Pampering!

The idea of weekend spending and vacation time for me is to book an appointment in a spa and just drench in aromas and positivity. It’s so much fun!

My Window Seat

The sea-facing window or the garden-facing window is my favorite spot. Boarding the window seat with a cup of ginger tea gives me a kick early morning and in the evening warding off all my stress. And if I miss that “me time” I feel void in my life.

Packing and Unpacking

Travelling causes stress to me!
First before travelling plan and pack your bags, which usually starts almost one-two weeks earlier as that includes shopping and then once you back again unpack the stuff. Gosh!! It feels like the travel time was for a whole month rather than a couple of days.
Why stress yourself so much? Go shopping relax and unwind!

The Motion Issue

Well, it’s both types of motion the one on the road that causes sickness and the other one in the bathroom which causes worst of trouble!
With travel, you indulge in junk food causing constipation and then the issue of getting pressure at the “right time” just because the sightseeing guy would arrive at Sharp 8:00 clocks.
Is this vacation planned for fun or to torture me?
I’ll prefer staying at home and wait for the pressure jiggy to happen.

So did you find your reason of being termed as non-traveler?

Some people have wanderlust and some like to search out the essence of life at same place, all acceptable and pretty normal. It’s just about the rhythm of going with the flow. So what’s your reason of not travelling?

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Work Life Balance - a FANTASY or REALITY!

The buzz of work-life balance is all over, companies taking initiatives , offering facilities and yet we have people who are suffering from High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol or even heart ailments at any early age. Is it just the propaganda or actually people are serious about it.

What is Work-Life Balance 

To define the term, it is as simple as that you are able to equally divide your life time and  spend time with family and friends ,get some quality time for yourselves ,be in good health, able to meet all your family expectations, complete your household pending tasks but still be a star performer in your company. Yes , I know you are smiling because this is the "ideal case" which seems to be non existing. 

So then work-life balance is just a fantasy. isn't?

How much time actually we have after office hours

Why do you need  work-life balance because although companies mention that its just 40-45 hrs of working a week so rest of the time[80-75 hrs for five days a week + weekend] is at your disposal and the luxury to use it however you want, then why so much fuss what work-life balance?

Even if we simply reduce the 45 hrs of working , then we are left with 75+48=123 hrs but we are missing here some of the points -

1. Sleep Time - No matter what, you need an average of 8 hrs sleep per day, but I know you are a busy person so lets reduce it to 7 hrs a day. Lets do some math now , for a week you need 7*7 = 49 hrs of sleep. So now you have remaining hrs left 123-49 = 74 hrs at your disposal, unless you cut down further on your sleep.
2. Commute Time - Most of offices are located in the middle of the city and people usually have their homes at other corners leading to an increase in commute time. This time although you are not working or doing your household work but is crucial . There were many reports and studies done, which clearly says that commute time affects the well being of the person and in fact a study conducted by the thisismoney says that on an average human spend 200 hrs a year in just commuting. So lets do some math again so on an average for each month we spend ~17 [200/12 months]hrs and for each week ~4.25 hrs[17/4 weeks]. So we are left with 74-4.25 hrs = 69.75 hrs
3. Routine work - Now you obviously need time for your frequent bathroom breaks which includes, shower, shaving, hygienic stuff. Again the studies shows we spent on an average 182 hrs per year in bathroom. That's huge!!Again some math , so for each month ~15 hrs and for each week ~4 hrs . So we are left with 69.75 - 4.00 = 65.75 hrs every week.
4. Eating Time - Now that's also necessary, as we are working to feed our hungry tummy. And studies revealed that an average American spend around ~1 hr each day in eating[all meals included] so for a week it should be 7 hrs , then we are left with 65.75-7 = 58.75 hrs
5. Other miscellaneous activities - There are other activities which are really like routine stuff , but really necessary to do like waiting for elevator, waiting to board a train, waiting time to cross the road, parking your car and list could go on so lets assume an hr daily for such activities , so for a week 7 hrs of misc activities and now we are left with 58.75 - 7 = 51.75 hrs. 
6. Office hours Overlap with other geographies - As the work has been outsourced , we are well aware that we need to adjust our timings so that we interact with them. That would definitely lead to more office hours or if you are at home taking call from from there but that's the important part of our planning . So may be on an average 5 hours of overlap is needed . So we are left with 51.75-5 = 46.75 hrs. Lets round it to 46 hrs.

So we now have the number , that we only have 46 hrs each week for our disposal to be spent on family, your gym time, sports, social networking ,talking over phone and of course overtime for office work.

So then is it really possible to attain a balance? 

Just check it for yourself!

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Infants Can Teach You a Lesson for a Lifetime

Holding the purest form of life, I used to seldom think even I would have been like this then what have changed? Why I need so many corrections now and then, why often I’m distracted, the anger which overpowers me now and then was it existing when I was an infant?

As I’m now lucky to spent my time with kid, I observed how clean and truthful soul they are, and as he is growing I’m sure he’ll get adulterated and be somewhat like us. So I don’t forget my chaste and virtuous boy, thought of putting all things I should learn from him -

1. Breathe properly 
2. No fear of losing - 
3. Grow at your own pace
4. Express your likes and dislikes
5. Only need of milk, sleep, nappy change and lots of love
6. Curious and always eager to learn new things
7. Trust your intuitions
8. Express Your Love 

It’s worth remembering that even we were a kid someday and these were the things done by us as well, just that in fear, competition and fast paced life we forgot the essence of thing called life.

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Time Spent in Bathroom is directly proportional to how Smart your phone is!!!

To many of us, frequent break to bathroom is considered to be a redundant task leading to no gain. But with invention of smartphones, bathroom time is now turning to be more productive time.

Yesterday, during chit-chatting with my friend , she narrated an incident about her spouse, he wakes up and first thing he does is picking up his smartphone

My kid would miss the Goodness of Doordarshan

With 24hr availability of hundreds of TV channels and owners focus area being the high rated TRP’s, I feel my kid would miss the righteousness of doordarshan.

While we waited for the republic day parade show on doordarshan, I was overwhelmed when vande matram song was played and it showcased all the different dance forms in India and I walked down the memory lane to my childhood days when TV viewing was restricted to Doordarshan and how we used to wait for any of its telecast.

For kids, we all agree that seeing is much better learning than reading it and I would admit that, I learnt a lot from TV specifically about India and its culture. I knew the different dance forms in India; I knew the famous and real jewels of india, from pandit jasraj to ustad amjad ali khan the famous sarod player or be it famous bansuri player pandit hariprasad chaurasia, the different art forms, the ancient history and the mythological part of India all I owe to Doordarshan. Another advantage I saw was that these songs made a room for my learning these skills. I was inclined to dance and wanted to pursue it, not to win any competition but just for myself.

Those days when TV was considered to be a luxury and neighbors and their neighbors all used to gather to watch Ramayana or cricket match. I’ll like to give credit to Doordarshan that taught me that fun is with people around and not alone. Today, I mostly sit alone browsing thousands of channel and don’t feel the punch of it.

 I used to watch what my parents used to watch so I got used to news and also to humlog on doordarshan and lucky me that we never had any restrictions in viewing.

But today scenario has changed completely, what I watch today

• songs
• some movies
• award functions
• a cookery show
• reality shows

So what I can expect my kid to learn from these?

• How to become famous?
• How to make fun of others and laugh on them?
• Slang… F**k you, You such  an a** h**e
• Dance forms – would be just salsa, hip-hop, belly,gangnam style
• When asked about Indian culture and its representation – would they just be able to take names of salman khan and Katrina kaif?

As a parent there are loads of controls or app to get the restricted viewing for kids but how could I assure my kid is expose to the Indian culture and its diversity?  I know we have even moved ahead with the way of teaching and now blackboard with a chalk has been replaced with smart classes, but it’s again school-learning, I’m not giving the advantage of play and learn here. And to let him choose what he want to pursue in life.

As a parent may be “worried” just a bit more :-) 

Keep Faith 

Chakoli :)

Age Gracefully

My mother was recently with us, as we were busy with our evening walk in the apartment, one of my neighbors said - your mother looks so young. I replied to her, indeed she is young :)

Ageing is a FACT!

Ageing is inevitable,

Kitchen Mistakes We Often Do!

Some of the common mistakes I have seen we all women commit while cooking,baking or cutting resulting in half cooked veg or cake doesn't comes out soft.So compiled this list, which I often use it myself in kitchen

1. Cut all veggies of equal size, or else thin ones would get cooked quickly and the thicker ones may be left uncooked,
2. Don't sprinkle dry spices, in gravy or else they wont be mixed properly leaving lumps in the gravy.
3. Don't store green chilly with its head, remove the head and then store it. It would remain fresh for days
4. Don't boil tea leaves for more than three minutes, the taste could be ruined.
5. Always use boiled water to add to gravy, never add cold water as it reduces its taste
6. While baking, never use refrigerated butter or milk, always use them on room temperature.
7. While baking, never fill the mould more than three-fourth of its size, or else the cake wont have space to get puffed.
8. While baking never use baking powder instead or baking soda and vice-verse
9. Never overcook paneer, or else it  gets hardened
10. For any exotic paneer veggie, make sure to put spices just few minutes before putting it down from flame or else spice taste and texture gets ruined , as it is exposed to flame.

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

A Letter To My Son

Dear V

It’s been few days, that mom started going to Office, and till now you might have realized that every day, mom is missing for some long time which earlier used to be just for few hours and over the weekend.

It was a very hard decision for me, I still remember the day I had to join back, and how I was going nuts. With each second, nearing to my joining date, I just used to take a deep breath. Relax, He would be fine is what I only could utter. When I used to hold you in my arms, I just had one wish, I could hold you forever and never ever had to leave you, be it for sleep, for food or for your cute tantrums to sit on my lap. I know these cute little acts of yours won't be repeated and I'm missing a chance for lifetime, but still I have to go on.

I miss you dear, and even though I'm in Office, I wish every second I could see you, hold you and play with you. And to confess, when I miss you badly, I go to wash room and see your videos, and then to the contrary the feeling to see you, amplifies in magnitude of infinity,taking a tan waveform.

As I start to drive back home, I only have one scene fitted in my brain, I'll knock and door opens and you come crawling to me with such a cute and big smile, that all the stress goes away. And you respond to me the same way, each day.

You are now seven months, indeed a BIG BOY and you would adjust to this change, for one of the reason that "nani" is always with you and that mama-papa will always love you.

Love you my little Gudda :)

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Understanding Customer Psychology to make Your Content Marketing a Success

 I understand if you have stumbled upon this article, either you are consumer or a marketing guy about to derive a new strategy. But in the upcoming lines, I would be talking about one group i.e. marketing guy and couple of case studies

Consumer Psychology?

About.com defines consumer psychology as a “specialty area that studies how our thoughts, beliefs, feelings and perceptions influence how people buy and relate to goods and services.” With that said, the concept lies heavily on influencing — or changing — a customer’s behavior.

Case Study:

I’m picking a case study done by National Geographic Channel and was aired on Brain Games
Just imagine some cows, a herd of cows grazing on the field

What do cows drink?





If you answered MILK, you are absolutely wrong! Cows drink water.


Did you realized, how I was able to manipulate you with the picture and highlighting MILK, and you believed me. So, we had an impression on our mind which forced us to make a decision. That’s the same thing which happens when we derive a strategy; imprint a thought on consumer’s mind which is indecisive.

What Content Market Guy Need to think before deciding a strategy:

1. Heart Connection 

 Knit a brand with a story which can easily be served with emotions .When we serve a story that fits easily with consumers, we are persuading them to buy stuff. For example if you need to publish content for fitness joint , try to weave a story who is obese. Describe his emotions and how hard he has been trying for the weight reduction programme. Weave a story which connects to their heart rather than head.

2. I’m Unique 

Present the content as its exclusive and one of its kinds. If people are publishing how can you crack CAT, try to provide a counterview and publish stuff which talks about what are other and better option than CAT

3. Be charismatic 

You know how many admirers an attractive girl/boy has? And the buzz spread with a simple statement – Did you saw that new girl in college. She is Hot!! So the same thing applies to the content, you need to make it desirable, that consumers should crave for it.

4. Be Mysterious 

 All of us love mystery, what next? The unboxing of mobile phones, is the classic example in this. People love mystery and hold their breath for the product to be revealed. You remember how Xiaomi sale on flipkart was a great success, and how many people published about the good and evil of the sale.

5. Value Them 

– When we expect the consumers to read our content, we need to value it. What they are getting in return? Some knowledgeable facts, service , a discount coupon or a good laugh
Its all about mind tricks, what I offer should be relevant to other. Baseline, to put holes in others pocket you need to be smart for sure but manipulative is considered to be a better seller.

Picture Courtesy - pixabay.com

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Are You "Actual Human" Or Robot – Ask Google!!

Google and its tales, they now and then come by with some jazzy stuff, which is an eye-catcher for sure and also breaks the old conventional model as well .The fresh matter which has been offered is – Removing of captcha, which basically identifies whether you are a human or some designed pre-loaded robot doing its job.

And , the best part is they have replaced it with a single statement saying – “I’m not a Robot” , I mean just replacing it with plain, simple English. Kudos to Them!!

The Need 

 AI[Artifical Intelligence] has reached to such an advance level and even the distorted text could be read by them so , depending upon bit of 'unreliable' tool had to change.

Can’t we program a Robot to just check that box?

Indeed yes, but here is what Google says - they have developed an Advanced Risk Analysis back end for reCAPTCHA that actively considers a user’s entire engagement with the CAPTCHA—before, during, and after—to determine whether that user is a human.

This helps Google to rely less on typing distorted text and, in turn, offer a better experience to end users.However, the distorted text and number method may not go off completely as of now. If their advanced risk analysis algorithm finds some suspect engagement parameters, the user will still be asked to type distorted text and numbers after the click. Something like this may be shown to the user

So it’s easy, if you get away with one click you are Human or else Google certifies you to be a ROBOT!!

Keep Faith
Chakoli :)

Sources : Trak.in