Is there an age requirement to becoming an Expert?
You must be at least 18 years of age.

What sort of technical skillset do I need to have?
In order to begin the process of becoming an Expert, you must successfully complete our technical pre-assessment, which tests your aptitude for technical support. SupportSpace also expects that all Experts come to us with a certain level of technical expertise, after all, there’s a good reason why they are called ‘Experts.’

Where can I provide services?
You need to have a professional work environment that is distraction-free and secure.

Are there any specific equipment requirements?
Telephone Requirements:
No cell phones or GoogleVoice
We recommend a landline or Skype
Call waiting and voicemail must be disabled.
Computer Requirements:
A dedicated computer for customer sessions
2 GB of RAM (4GB of RAM recommended)
Minimum 1 GHZ required
I.E. 8 or 9, Firefox, Chrome
Stable high-speed Internet access (minimum 512 kbps)
No tablet
Mac OSX not supported (unless working from a virtual machine)
Current anti-virus software installed

What sort of software do I have to use to perform service? Do I need my own?
The SupportSpace platform is a SaaS application, so all you need is access to the Internet and a web browser.

If I become an Expert, am I a SupportSpace employee?
No. Experts are independent contractors who provide services as freelancers or consultants. This means that you are not employed by SupportSpace, but rather work on your own terms, either as a small business, LLC, or an independent contractor.

How do my taxes work if I’m an independent contractor?
At the end of each year, you will receive a 1099 form from SupportSpace. It is up to you to use this information to file your taxes.

What is a W9 and why do I have to submit one?
You will need to submit a completed IRS W9 form which will be used to report any income you earn from SupportSpace to the IRS. This form will contain your Tax ID number, which is often your government-issued Social Security number or your business FEIN.

When filling out my W9, can I use something other than my SSN?
Yes. If you have filed for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), this may be used instead of your SSN.

Can I become an independent contractor for SupportSpace if I do not live in the U.S. or am not a U.S. citizen?
At this time we are not contracting with Experts that live outside of the U.S. or Experts who do not have a valid Social Security Number. We are considering international expansion in the near future. At this time, we are also unable to accept Experts from New York.

Can you provide me with employment verification?
SupportSpace cannot provide you with employment verification since Experts are not employees.

What does the background check look into? What will cause me to fail?
SupportSpace believes in providing a secure environment for its customers. As part of this commitment to security, SupportSpace conducts a background check on all Expert applicants. SupportSpace uses a well-known third-party company to carefully screen each Expert applicant’s background to ensure they meet our standards and guidelines. Common failure points include (but are not limited to) felony convictions or multiple misdemeanor convictions.

How long does the application and certification process usually take?
Depending on how motivated you are to become an Expert, the entire process can be completed in less than one week. However, on average it takes applicants between two and three weeks.

How much do I get paid?
Experts are paid a commission or flat fee for each completed and resolved customer session. There are different rates depending on the specific service being performed, the Partner the service is for, and if the session gets resolved. The total amount of fees that an Expert can generate varies significantly because it is based on the times of day and days of the week you choose to provide services, which customers you choose to support, whether you handle multiple sessions at one time and a variety of other factors. Some Experts invoice SupportSpace for over $7,000 in a month.

When and how do I get paid?
Payments are sent out on the 15th of each month for the previous month. You can elect to receive payment either through a check or through PayPal.

Do I have to work a specific, set schedule?
No. Being an independent contractor affords you the ability to work whenever you want and for as long as you want. You can set your own hours and work just about anywhere in the U.S. We are a 24/7 operation, so you can work at any time of day or night.

Is there a quota of how many customer sessions I must take in a week?
No. As an independent contractor, you can take as many or as few customer sessions as you’d like.

How does SupportSpace know if I’m a good Expert?
SupportSpace’s system checks on objective quality metrics like CSAT (customer satisfaction) scores and customer feedback. Sessions are routed to the best available Expert, so the better ratings you earn, you will receive more opportunities to service customers.

Do I get paid for every customer session I take?
No. You will only be paid for sessions that you are able to successfully resolve.

Do I need to sign a contract with SupportSpace?
Yes. You will need to sign our Independent Contractor Agreement in order to become certified on the SupportSpace Network. This is a standard business agreement.