Work From Home Jobs

If you are looking to break out of your cubicle and make working from home your next job, you are in good company. The work from home industry is exploding as many companies are discovering how to save costs by hiring employees that work from their own home offices. These larger companies save on office space, training, equipment and staffing costs by outsourcing their staff to their homes. You too can make your next job a work from home position by knowing where to look for the best work from home jobs.

Start With Your Current Job

If you are already working in a traditional away from home office and are interested in working from home, consider asking your boss to allow you to work from home. Many companies are seeing the value of allowing their associates to work from their homes and are looking to save money in this way. You may have to do a bit of work to convince your boss to let you work from home, and it can be a hard sell. Assure your supervisor that you will be just as productive, if not more while working from your home office. Be prepared to address concerns that your boss may have about your ability to work independently, and use any recent performance evaluations as proof. You may have to invest in extra equipment to make it work, but if you are really serious about working from home, the investment will be well worth it.

Search Established Companies for At-Home Positions

Many people are not aware that many established companies offer opportunities for employees to work from home. Applying for a work at home position with these firms is similar to applying for in-office positions, and you will have to meet the qualifications listed for the position. Expect to fill out an application, go through a full interview process and be prepared with a resume and references. Search for companies that offer 24 hour customer service. These companies often hire a work from home staff to work after hours or during regular business hours. These customer service reps may answer calls by phone, email or through an instant message program. These jobs offer a regular paycheck, flexibility and room for advancement.

Find Specialty Employers

There are some businesses that only hire work from home agents. These companies specialize in outsourced customer service, inbound sales, telemarketing, technical support and reservations sales. Their clients include big names such as IKEA, Carnival Cruise Lines, Home Depot and Pizza Hut. Applying for these positions is similar to applying for any other job with a few exceptions. For these companies you may be required to take a computer compatibility test. This test will require you to sign into the company’s website where your computer’s operating system will be tested for compatibility with the company’s software. You may also be required to submit a voice sample, answer sample test questions or summarize and audio recording of an actual customer call.

If you have a special skill such as typing, transcription or medical coding, you can command a high salary while working from home. Closed captioning representatives work from home typing captions for the hearing impaired for local television stations. These work at home professionals are known to earn up to $80 an hour typing captions. If you have experience in the legal or medical fields, you can find work at home jobs that require you to transcribe notes. These jobs pay top rates for the most skilled workers.

Be Prepared for the Reality of Working From Home

One of the keys to success in a work at home position is to be aware of what to expect in a work at home job. While the image of the worker who makes big bucks doing little to no work is enduring, it is not realistic. You may work a typical 9-5 workday, or you may be required to work overnight or early mornings. While you are working, you will probably not be able to run errands, tend to children or walk the dog. Most customer service agents who work from home are tethered to their computers and headsets for the duration of their shifts. While you will have more time for family and your personal life, you will have to keep these elements separate from your work life. You will be required to have a workspace that is free of distraction and quiet.

Millions of people make a full-time living working from home. You too can be one of them. With determination, knowledge and the necessary skills, you too can find a work from home job that will fit your lifestyle.