Would you accept fifty cents or a dollar for your photos? If you’re a professional photographer, absolutely not. But what about a snap that you take on your way into or out of a grocery store or a local coffee shop? Now, we might be talking. If you are looking to add a few dollars to your shopping trips, Job Spotter can do that. But is Job Spotter worth it?
What Is Job Spotter?
Job Spotter is an app from Indeed that rewards users for taking photos of local businesses that are hiring. For every photo that it accepts, you earn points in your wallet. Then, you can redeem those points for an Amazon gift card. Point, click, wait, shop. Easy peasy. Put it another way, Job Spotter is the latest app that I have downloaded in an effort to cover all my Christmas expenses with my regular shopping habits throughout the year.
The Benefits
Time is money. That’s a fact. With Job Spotter, you do not have to allocate much extra time—we’re talking seconds here—to add $10 or $20 to your bottom line each month. There are plenty of survey sites and other apps that may allow you do the same in terms of the amount of money earned, but this is truly one of the most efficient money-earning apps I have encountered. I have had the app on my phone for three weeks, and I have almost $10 banked toward an Amazon gift card. I have done this by making only 11 submissions, three of which came from the same shopping plaza when I stumbled across a deli, a resale shop, and a bakery that all had hiring signs in the window. So I’m averaging around 85 cents per submission. I have yet to find another app that compares.
Another huge benefit of Job Spotter is that there really is no added temptation to spend money. Apps like Ibotta can be really lucrative, but you also have to smart about using them otherwise you can end up with a pantry full of unnecessary items. Job Spotter lets users stick to their usual routine, no extra purchases necessary. You just have to pay a bit more attention when running regular errands.
The Drawbacks
Like all shopping apps, Job Spotter requires users to have easy access to shopping in order for it to be worth the download. If you don’t ever shop at brick and mortar stores or walk through your downtown on the way to coffee or dinner, you likely will not have very many opportunities to earn points. In terms of big money submissions, the app typically rewards photos of independent businesses more than chains, but that is not always the case. Like when I snapped this photo of Jimmy John’s before stopping by the bank.
I earned fifty-seven cents toward an Amazon gift card for pausing mid-stride on my way out of the bank.
Additionally, Job Spotter allows users to compete against one another in terms of who can earn the most points in a month. If you are someone who just can’t say no to that little dopamine hit, then you may want to skip this one. Or else, you may find yourself going out to the way to drive around town for no other reason than to make submissions. No judgement: I was addicted to scoring free contact solution even though I didn’t wear contacts.
The final drawback is that you have to be slightly immune to strange looks from passersby. Even though we live in an era where every meal ends up on Instagram and every everything goes on Snapchat, people do still look at you a little strangely when you are snapping photos of your local grocery store’s sign. Thankfully, I am awkward all the time, so I’m pretty much immune.
Final Thoughts: Is Job Spotter Worth It?
As someone who can be pretty easily swayed to over-commit my time for little payout, I would say that Job Spotter is worth it. It is a free download with no risk if you decide to ditch it. Worst case scenario, you might find yourself with some extra money to spend on Amazon. Which is exactly what I’m banking on.
So Tell Me…Have you tried Job Spotter? Do you have a favorite app that lets you earn while you shop?
I don’t use it very often, but I’m up to a whopping $11.75 since May ? I am definitely a lot more aware of the “now hiring” signs now, although I’m usually in my car as I spot them, and have only rarely stopped to get good pictures.
Tips: make sure the pictures are clear and legible. Users can review pictures and help determine if the data is legit. I turn down a lot of poor quality photos when I do those reviews out of boredom.
Be mindful of your cell photo data plan. It’s probably not worth getting $0.85 for snapping 2 photos (job sign and company sign) if it’s going to cost you a $10 overage.
I’ve been paid as little as 4 cents and as much as 97. I have my “hope” bar set at 50 cents for each submission.
That seems like a good place to set the hope bar, Jover! I won’t be going out of my way to use it (or engaging in any distracted driving), but I did make my husband wait for an extra second so I could take a photo of the outside of our Starbucks this past weekend!
A fascinating concept. I’m going to check it out. I’ll report back when I have a more informed opinion.
I’m so curious what you think! I could see it being great for people who have easy access to lots of independent businesses. Those are the big payouts.
Great post! I think you just convinced me to try it out. Kevin @ Financial Panther has talked about it but I haven’t heard of anyone else who uses it yet but nice to know it’s gaining more exposure. Will have to report back after I get the hang of it!!
That doesn’t surprise me at all. He is a side hustle GURU!
Huh, I have not heard of this. I don’t often go anywhere other than the grocery store, but it might be worth it for the infrequent downtown or exploring trips. thanks for the honest review, Penny!
Four of my submissions are of grocery stores. And all of my other ones are of the stores NEXT to my grocery stores. I’m a creature of habit!
Worth it. A few clicks here and there and few dollars in your pocket. I don’t see a downside.
So far it seems totally worth it!
Funny, I just downloaded this app over the weekend and have been snapping some photos the last few days. I am up to $3.78 for six submissions and my range has been 16-75 points. You can also verify other submissions for an addition 10 points. This takes a few minutes to get through the required images. Why not snap a couple of pictures when you pass by a sign? Before you know it, you have a free amazon gift card.
And I really appreciate how you can (at least for now) cash out whenever. A few other apps keep increasing their cash-out thresholds.
I love these types of apps – a little extra cash here and there adds up quick. Going to download it right now!
Also, LOL about being awkward all the time. As a “frugal weirdo” who cuts her own hair and never buys new clothes, I hardly notice strange looks anymore.
I am curious what you think, Harmony! Now, whenever I drive, I see SO many more hiring signs. I’m sure they were always there; I just never had a reason to look. I’m excited to use the app when the weather is nicer and we are just strolling through our downtown.
I have a whole bunch of apps where I make a few cents here and a few cents there, but they are mostly the “snap a photo of your receipt” ones. Sometimes I wonder who is using the information from these apps and for what? Is it market research?
I’ve been using Job Spotter for the past 12 months now and it’s worked out great. In 2017, I made a little over $200 just taking pictures with the app. It’s really perfect for people like me who are walking and biking a lot – I do a lot of food deliveries on my bike, so I basically see hiring signs all the time.
Works really well too if you happen to go to the mall – you can basically make $5 or something just walking around normally. It takes me maybe 10 seconds to take a picture, and most of the time, people I’m with don’t even realize I stopped to do anything since I’m so quick. Definitely worth it for anyone, in my opinion!
That’s amazing, Kevin! Do you have a link to a post on your site? I will swing by later. I would love to add it to my post 🙂
I’m hoping to do more in shopping plazas or our little downtowns when it’s not so chilly out. I’ll get my steps in and make a few bucks!
Looks like I have to download this and check it out! Thanks for the post.
Please let me know how it works out for you, Elle!
Thanks for sharing! I am going to check this app out. I live downtown so fingers crossed there are higher payout opportunities!
I’m in the same boat about being awkward. Love that you claimed immunity! ?
I bet you will find tons of opportunities, especially if there are lots of local/independent shops!
Going to work today I got my first picture and earned 98 points! It made me much more aware of my surroundings, which can’t be a bad thing. Now I just have to mix up my path to walk down different streets. Thanks again!
I hadn’t heard of this app. It seems to make sense for folks who live near enough businesses (and have space on their phones).
I love it. I walk and take public transportation everywhere in Los Angeles so I can make quite a bit. I started using it earlier this month and have $70 (about 2 weeks ago). I work part time jobs and go to school so my schedule can be odd and i have breaks in between jobs. I intentionally take routes that i know have a lot of shops sometimes or walk more (skip bus stops or take a longer routes). Any extra income helps (i can buy essentials on Amazon), better than having to find a 3rd job and schedule
it in between my other jobs and school. I also use field agent and wag for extra cash.
Literally my favorite app. I will spend a whole day just taking help wanted photos on a day off! It gets me out of the house and pays well. I love it. I am planning on going out this evening to snap some photos while I’m downtown! I have made approx $65-$70 in the last couple months. Its incredibly convenient and I have no issues with it whatsoever. Pay-outs typically happen within the next few days and you can use them immediately.