Appen is proud to offer flexible work opportunities for freelancers all around the world. When an Appen project becomes available in your area, you even get the chance to give feedback about your home country. We spoke to one of our Appen freelancers in Germany about the work she does and the ways she improves her work-life balance.
I can work when I want to. I can take a break when I’m tired. I can schedule my work how I want to. Flexibility is very important for work-life balance.
–Caro M., German Language Evaluator at Appen
Meet Caro, a work-from-home Appen evaluator in Germany. By participating in projects with Appen, she is able to work on her own terms, learn new skills, and stay in touch with technology. Caro even has the opportunity to improve online information about the businesses in her community.
What was your first impression of Appen?
It was really good because Appen offered the kind of work I was searching for. It was helpful to read reviews on websites like Glassdoor.com. Even though some of the reviews included a lot of feedback, I like to form my own opinions and so I decided to give the company a fair chance.
What prompted you to look for remote work?
It is difficult for me to have a “normal” job and work 9-5 because my husband is a professional athlete and our family schedule often changes. The opportunity to work from home and earn extra income is perfect for me! I can have the time to prioritize my work-life balance and take care of my son.
How do you find your work/life balance?
I usually get up early, start working in the morning and use the rest of the day time to do what I want. I can work when I want. I can take a break when I’m tired. I can schedule how I work. Flexibility is very important for work-life balance.
What has surprised you most about working for Appen?
I thought the job tasks were going to be repetitive. They are different from project to project, and so many of the tasks are so much fun. Since the projects vary, the hours can change and there are times between projects when you have to take a break from your assignments. However, in my experience, the payment process is so unproblematic when there are projects available and your payments account is set up correctly.
What do you find most rewarding about the job?
Even though I work from home, I have a job that is fun to do and I continue to learn and educate myself though my work. I can even help on projects that improve my local community. I provide feedback that helps businesses update information like store locations and hours in my home country.
What is it like to work in the English language?
My work-from-home job with Appen is an opportunity to practice my professional English skills. It’s important to know English so that you can read and understand the instructions for your project. You will also communicate with your project manager in English. Even if you are still improving your speaking skills, many of the tasks are in your native language. Try putting on English subtitles for your favorite shows, and be sure to pay attention to the English words used by your project manager in the guidelines.
What advice do you have for prospective Appen candidates?
Apply and study the guidelines carefully; they are in English, so sometimes I have to read them a few times. Put effort into the project you’re assigned and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Just remember that there are a lot of other people working on the same project as you, so sometimes it takes some time to hear back.
You have to read the instructions very carefully and take the work seriously. Get out of bed, get dressed, and have a designated workspace. You shouldn’t treat your work ethic differently than working in a regular office. Apply, be patient, and give a work-from-home job with Appen a try. You can really improve your work-life balance with a work-from-home job.
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If you enjoyed reading what Caro M. had to say about freelancing with Appen, visit appen.com/careers to see our available opportunities.
