Wonolo Review for RV life
Review of Wonolo—App for Finding Work
I recently did a series of podcasts about all the different ways to earn money as a full or part-time RVer or vanlifer. I interviewed some experts in the field of remote work, work camping and staring a business that you can do on the road. Recently I found out about a new way to earn money while traveling in my RV and I thought I’d check it out.
A couple of Instagram influencers that I follow shared that they earn money along their travels with an app called Wonolo—Work Now Local. Is Wonolo a good app for RVers? I decided to download it and give it a try. Read my review of Wonolo for RVers:
What is Wonolo?
Their website says this: Wonolo is an innovative online staffing platform that connects available workers (“Wonoloers”) with companies in different industries that need jobs filled in the near future.
Basically it’s an app that can connect you with temporary, or even permanent employment. Kind of like a modern temporary staffing agency. You get to decide which jobs to take based on your interests, skill level and your schedule. You choose a job with a quick tap on your smart phone and that’s it. You’re hired! No applications, no job interviews. Just show up and work.
I’m familiar with other platforms like Uber and Uber Eats. In fact, I even drove for Postmates for a while. I haven’t been out since they were acquired by Uber, although technically I’m still eligible to drive. Delivering food just doesn’t seem feasible in a big vehicle like Squeaky. Any vanlifers out there deliver food in your van? I’d love to hear how it works for you.
Good Work without giving up Your Freedom
Since I’m going to be traveling for at least 8 months, I thought this might be a great way to earn a little income while I’m traveling without any long-term commitments. I decided to try it in Portland before I hit the road to see if I liked it and if I thought it could be feasible to do on my travels.
Wonolo: Independent Contractor or Employee?
Most of the jobs on Wonolo are independent contract positions, which means you are not an employee and not eligible for employee benefits. It also means you are responsible for paying your own taxes on your income. Personally, when I work independent contractor jobs, I set aside 20% of my income to save for taxes at the end of the year. But I am not a tax professional, so make sure you talk to yours to decide how to best handle your income and taxes.
The Wonolo website mentions that some positions offered are as employees, as opposed to independent contractors. I’m not sure how that would work on a short-term basis, and I didn’t see any such positions in the Portland area.
Review of my Experience with Wonolo for RVers
I downloaded the Wonolo app a few weeks before I actually accepted a job. Once you download the app, there were quite a few steps to set it up before you could become eligible for work. You need to verify your identity, link a bank account and watch a few videos about how the app works. You have the option of submitting proof of Covid-19 vaccination in order to be eligible for jobs that require it. Since I am vaccinated, I submitted that by taking a photo of my vaccine card.
Some jobs require a background check. But since employment laws are different in each state, you might not be required where you live. Wonolo has some pretty interesting wording on its site regarding background checks, which made me think it’s a highly regulated issue.
The first job I accepted did require a background check. For the background check, I had to enter in my social security number and take a photo of the front and back of my driver’s license to do so. I was approved within minutes.
Finding Jobs on Wonolo
Once you are signed up and approved, you can then search for jobs. There’s a map view that will populate jobs in your area. Or you can enter in a location and search.
My first experience with Wonolo
When I first signed up for the Wonolo app, the only jobs that were available were delivery jobs. With the high price of gas, I didn’t want to risk having to drive all over town. I checked a few days later and saw that there was some work with Nordstrom Rack, doing merchandising. There were two opportunities near me, and interestingly, they didn’t pay the same amount. The one closer to my house paid $16 an hour and the one out in the suburbs paid $17/hour. The schedule of the one near my house worked better for me, so I chose that one even though it was a dollar less an hour.
I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous before showing up for my first Wonolo job. I even had anxiety dreams about it. It’s silly, but I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to find the door to enter at 7am and also that the app wouldn’t work. One of my fears did come true, but in the end it all worked out.
After I accepted the job, I was sent a message informing me that I needed to wear black jeans or pants and a plain white or black shirt (no logos) and closed toes shoes. It would have been helpful to have this information before I accepted the job, as when I travel in my van, I don’t have all of my clothes with me. I decided on a pair of black khakis and a black wool sweater over a black t-shirt.
(I did notice that some of the other workers were dressed in regular blue jeans and shirts of various colors, so I’m not sure how strict they are with enforcing this rule.)
One of my biggest fears came true
My shift started at 7am, so I got up at early to get ready. I packed a lunch and brought some water with me. So glad I did. It was quite warm in the store and I drank a lot of it.
When I got in the car to head to the job, suddenly the app stopped working and it wouldn’t load the directions to the store. Since you need the app for all aspects of the work, I was a bit nervous. I knew where the store is located, so I was able to navigate there easily, but if I wasn’t in my home or an area I was familiar with, this could have been an issue. If you’re a no-show to a job, you can be penalized. I was concerned what might happen when I got to the jobsite, since you actually have to clock in and out on the app.
My car GPS got me to the job site on time. Thankfully, after I parked, I was able to close the app and when I opened it back up, it was working. The instructions for reporting to work just said to find the employee entrance to the left of the main door, to ring the doorbell and someone would let you in.
I rang the bell and was warmly greeted by Jeff, the manager I would be working with that day. He asked if I’d worked at Nordstrom before and I let him know it was my first day ever using the Wonolo app. He told me there were about six of seven other Wonolo workers showing up that day. (I didn’t actually meet any of them. In fact, I couldn’t tell the regular employees from the Wonoloers.) He took me to the employee break room and said I was free to use the refrigerator and hang out there on my breaks.
On the app it indicated there was a one hour unpaid lunch, but Jeff informed me that it was actually a half hour lunch and two 15 minute breaks. He told me to take them whenever I wanted, that we didn’t need to check in with him. That he trusted us to take our breaks.
Actually I was surprised and pleased at the overall amount of autonomy I was given, as essentially a stranger walking into this job site. The shift started at 7am and I was told to spend time straightening the store and picking up merchandise that was on the floor. Then he set me to work. I spent a lot of time in the bra area, picking items off the floor and hanging them back on the racks. Then I moved to different areas of the store, straightening shelves and taking moved merchandise back to where it belonged. When the store opened at 10, I stepped outside to take my first break.
When I got back, Jeff found me and asked me to help set out merchandise. He had a cart full of men’s accessories, including ties, belts and wallets that I had to organize, straighten, color coordinate and display.
When that was done, I took my lunch break. When I got back, I spent the rest of the time restocking shoes. Before each task I was given instructions and left to do the work. Close to 3pm, my ending time, I was asked to help straighten up and put things away.
When the job was over, I simply logged out on the app. It’s been almost a week and I am still waiting my pay. The app seems a bit glitchy. It keeps telling me to enter my set up a payment method, even though I’ve already set one up. I’ll wait a few more days to see if my payment come through before I contact support. Wonolo takes a small fee, they call it a trust and safety fee of $4.55 from the pay. The app says it goes toward supplemental occupational accident insurance, I guess if you get hurt on the job.
My Overall Rating of Wonolo for RVers
Overall, working eight hours on the Wonolo app was a pretty decent way to earn $100. Although I do have to admit I as pretty tired at the end of the day. I’m not used to being on my feet for eight hours any more, I guess. I will definitely give it a try again.
The jobs in my area range from $14 to $22 an hour.
If you want to give Wonolo a try, use my link and we’ll each make $25.
