EMPLOYMENT

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Employment

Secrets of a “Relocation Agent”

Dear Linda,

From chatting with friends, I was discouraged about finding a good job that would allow me to be home-based yet work with an established company.  I have a college education and I like to think I’m as smart as the next person.  Also, I know Santa Barbara.  I was told a good home-based job was too hard to find in a town as small as ours.  So, I was scared I might fail.  It helped so much that I knew someone who had worked for Preferred Rental. 

Right out of the gate, I called Linda Roberts at Preferred.  She was very helpful, but said, “I’ll put you on our list of people who would like to work as a Personal Shopper agent”.  She said I could get my feet wet by doing entry level work on rental updating.  I took it! 
 
It was such a good place for me to get my feet wet. I struggled for a month, but working with Linda and the staff gave me confidence.  Within a month I knew I would do just fine.  After my training I got a job as a “Shopper” and that is the way it happened. I have enjoyed success and have moved up.

I now know why there is all this sentiment against finding a good home-based job in Santa Barbara; everyone wants to live here and the competition is keen.  And, I guess some people perceive home-based workers as lazy and that they are employees who want to come and go as they please.

Work is still work. Some people have the misconception that it's easy or just a part time thing requiring little effort.  I’ve worked hard to be a professional and I take pride in that. It also gives me a huge sense of security. I intend on doing a great job and maintaining my reputation.  Santa Barbara is a small town and bad news gets around Fast!

Today I’m a well paid “Shopper” with freedom I never expected to have. I work with an established company with a great local reputation.  I set my own schedule and I have a cute little home office that is my own little sanctuary.  When I need to I just drop by the company office on East Arrellaga St.

The most important thing a “newbie” can do is get good training.  Next, if you can make yourself stand out, do so!  Sometimes I am asked if I can help with rush jobs or assist another “Personal Shopper”.  I do it!!  I actually get calls thanking me for doing a little extra or working late.  Not to brag, but many of my clients write me “Thank You Notes” or make a call to Preferred Rental saying HOW GOOD MY WORK is. I love it!  It’s almost all upside and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Sincerely, Chris Elms

“The reward of a thing well done is to have done it”…..Emerson