Telecommuting Guide

（Edited by freelance Chinese translator li – English to Chinese or Chinese to English translation services）

There is good news and bad news for those of you looking for work-at-home employment. The good news is that telecommuting positions exist and are growing everyday! The bad news is, you are not likely to find such a position posted on the Internet or in your local paper under "work-at-home". Employers don't look for home workers. Instead they seek out the best employee to fill a specific position. It is the position that is advertised and telecommuting is usually listed as a perk.

There are many scam artists making lots of money off work-at-home wannabes by advertising "jobs" in envelop stuffing, assembly work, data entry, etc. Most of these ads result in teaching you how to scam others...not a very nice way to make a living! It is important to understand what companies do have home workers on staff and how you can position yourself to get one of these jobs.

There are resources that I recommend that list companies using home-workers. By looking at these lists, however, you will noticed that these telecommuters are not stuffing envelops. They are computer programmers, transcribers and interpreters, writers, sales people, etc. Further, most were not hired to work-at-home originally. Working-at-home is a perk their companies offer or, a reward for being a valued employee. Therefore, as in getting any job, having the right skills and experience, as well as a willingness to "put in your time", can put you in a telecommuting position.
If you really want to work-at-home, the following are some tips to help you get there. It isn't quick or easy, but those who are serious and committed to working at home will make the effort.

The first step to finding work-at-home employment is to abandon the idea that you will find such a job through the want-ads or on the Internet under "work-at-home".
NEVER PAY MONEY FOR WORK-AT-HOME EMPLOYMENT! Employers don't charge to hire you. Business start-ups require money, but not employment. This also excludes legitimate work-at-home job databases that do charge but DO NOT guarantee or "sell" you a job. The fees for these services are to access their list of jobs. So if an ad guarantees work for a fee, that's the clue to pass on it.

Research the whole telecommuting phenomenon. Read the information here carefully. The best way to find work and avoid scams is to understand how telecommuting works and the companies that offer it.

Do start with your own employer. See below for more information on how to do this. Many employers agree to a well thought out work-at-home proposal because it is cheaper to keep a good employee than to hire and train a new one.

If your boss says "no", finding a telecommuting position is similar to finding "regular" work. You need to create a resume with your education, skills and experience. Most people who write us want some sort of clerical type at-home work but, most of the telecommuting jobs I come across are professional positions. Visit the Job Search page for more information on how and where to search for work-at-home jobs.

Many telecommuting books list companies with telecommuting programs. You can also see a list at TClist. Usually you need to live in the vicinity of the company's office. If you do, and you have a marketable skill, contact them. You will likely need to work on-site before being allowed into the program. And, you have to realize that a company on the list may have telecommuting options; however, it may not be hiring at this time.

If you don't live near a company with a telecommuting program, don't despair. If you have something to offer an employer, you have a good chance of negotiating a position. Begin to contact potential employers. Don't expect to get a full-time at-home position. Negotiate part-time on-site and part-time at home. Once you prove yourself, you can try to negotiate more.

If you don't have a skill that's in great demand, get one. Again, telecommuting is a privilege offered by companies to valued employees. There are many FREE resources for getting training on the internet. It is a great way to improve your chances of finding a work-at-home job particularly if you get certified in some sort of computer programming.

If all else fails, and you are truly committed to working-at-home, you still have many options. Most give up their dream because the other options require work people don't like. This is the point at which true work-at-home wannabes make the decision and commitment to do what it takes to meet their goal. The others work 40 hours per week at a job, and hope for a work-at-home position to come their way. If you are a true work-at-home wannabe, the following tips are for you:

Consider a sales position. Many don't like sales. But, are you willing to abandon your dream because of fears or being uncomfortable? One work-at-home mom who sells advertising for a newcomer program reported to us " I don't like sales much. And there was a time I'd rather have a job than do sales. Eventually that changed....I was willing to do anything to be at-home. Keeping my children's pictures in front of me at all times helped me stay focused on my goal....and to keep selling when I didn't want to. With consistent effort, I got good enough that I can earn the income I need over three days per week. Plus, I get benefits and some other perks. I am glad I conquered my aversion to sales."

Most companies have training programs to help new sales people get started. Most sales people are considered independent contractors which does have tax implications. The perk to sales is that most sales people set their own schedules and incomes. Plus, the company will supply all the needed materials. It's similar to being self-employed but, without the overhead.

Consider freelance or contract work. Similar to having a business, companies "contract" with you to perform a job. Usually these projects are time limited but, not always.

Start your own business. This really isn't telecommuting but, if you can't get a work-at-home job, create one!