Dear Readers,

Would you think it was strange that a long lost friend accidentally knocked on your door, looking for directions, far removed from where you met or knew each other?

The odds against such an occurrence are beyond calculation.

I am getting used to stuff like that, especially when I am around my friend Joel. In fact we did reconnect in that bizarre circumstance.

That was years ago. But yesterday was another headspinner involving my same friend Joel.

What does all this have to do with our headline Finding Work Abroad? Hang in there for a moment, I am getting there.

I was on the way back from my California roadtrip and my pal Joel joined me from the San Francisco Bay Area to Tucson. Halfway we stopped for the night in Southern California at the home of a friend of Joel's.

The next morning over breakfast we ( me, Joel and our host Brad) chatted on a variety of topics. I mentioned the Portable Professional.

It stopped Brad in his tracks. His eyes were as wide as saucers. He sputtered out the words, "I- I- I bought your ebook! I have your name on a file in email box!"

Again, what are the odds? It's not like the Portable Professional is a runaway bestseller. (yet!)

He bought the ebook for his goddaughter who is building her career as a graphic designer in Chile. We talked about the difference in pay scales between Latin America and the U.S.

He asked how she could get work from the states. We talked about Guru.com and Elance.com (think electronic freelance)

I have used both of these services successfully from the other side, that is, finding people to work for me rather than finding work. I have found people from afar to work on web and promo projects.

You can post your availability to do work as well as bid on jobs posted there. They have safeguards built-in for the contractor and the client

So check out the two sites: Guru.com and Elance.com. (We have included an article below about Elance)

Share your experiences on our new forum thread entitled: Finding Work Abroad (link)


Until next time, keep moving!


PS: When I left Brads' house later that morning I accidentally LEFT MY LAPTOP BEHIND! I am writing about that for next week, a piece called Beyond The Laptop!

Looking For a Portable Job?

Anything that can be done on the phone or on a computer could be portable. Some obvious ones include many types of writing, designing, and consulting. In one of our earlier Pearls we talked about a utilizing a virtual assistant to help get your work done and expand your business. What about BEING one? It could include a variety of skills from administrative to marketing.

We came across a website devoted to teaching you to develop a career as a Virtual Assistant AND to helping you find work! Based on the content available for free it is worth a look if this might be a career path for you.

Their site:
http://www.iceni-it.co.uk/

Their promo video: ( a little slow but it tells their story)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAPvUyTH6tU

Stop Working So Hard!

Here is an interview about using Elance.com. It is written from the point of view of someone doing the hiring rather than looking to be hired. Good info, regardless of which side of the paycheck you are on.
Read article >>

12 Ways To Make Fast Cash From Writing Articles

After a great coaching session with Mark finding what your passion is what is the next step? Making and monetizing a website. This next article gives you some great ideas on monetizing your website, or making money helping others. Another great way to be a Portable Professional.
Read article >>