If you've just started your work-at-home job search, you're probably feeling confused and overwhelmed by all the options available. How do you know what's legit? How to avoid scams? Are there really jobs you can do from home? Yes!
So many people are happily working from home, and you can too. This article will explain the types of work you can do at home, which basically fall into four categories:
Work for Employers – (Often called “telecommuting.”) There are many legitimate companies that hire people to work from their home offices, and the number is growing every day. Employers are seeing the benefits of remote workers, and many more will join them in the future. (See our list of companies that hire from home workers.) Some companies hire you as an actual employee; you fill out tax forms and your employer deducts taxes from your paycheck, just as if you were working on-site. Other companies will hire you as an independent contractor. They send you a 1099 form at the end of the year and, you are responsible for paying your own taxes. An employer may require you to work certain hours each day or a set number of hours per week. Pay can be hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, or per piece (as in data entry type jobs). Some phone jobs will pay you by the "talk minute" - in other words, you'll only be paid for the time you're actively talking to customers.
Freelancing – A “Freelancer” is someone who rents out their skills to various companies for a specific project. The skills are usually professional in nature such as typing, computer programming, web design and graphics, secretarial/administrative, and virtual assistance. Some popular freelance websites are http://Guru.com and http://eLance.com, You can browse available jobs and bid on them. If your bid wins, you get the job. Note that these tasks are usually temporary, for one project only. However, if you build a reputation for good work and meeting deadlines, you will often be offered other jobs.
Home Business Opportunity – You can also start a business as a representative of an existing company. Most of these companies are direct sales or network marketing/MLM (Multi-Level Marketing). You've probably heard of many such companies, such as Tupperware, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Avon, and Pampered Chef. There are thousands to choose from. (See our list of home business opportunities.) This type of work at home has many benefits. You are your own boss, set your own hours, and have full control over how much income you earn (as opposed to earning a set amount of money each week from your employer). There are also some great tax breaks for home businesses.
Build Your Own Business – The last option is to build your own company. Almost any skill you have can be turned into a home business. Dog walking/pet sitting, virtual assistance, catering, bike repair, childcare, crafts, artwork, etc. The most important thing to consider: is there a market for what you can do? Would people pay for the products or services you can deliver? If you decide to do it, I bet you could come up with dozens of great ideas for businesses you can do.
Avoid scams
The first thing to remember about scammers is that they either want your money or your personal information. Never, ever pay a "fee" to start working for a company. (Business opportunities often require you to buy a starter kit, but I'm talking about actual remote jobs here.) No matter how great they work, DO NOT pull out your credit card and send them money. It's a scam. Rarely, some legitimate companies may charge you for training, but more often than not, they will deduct it from your first few paychecks. If you're really not sure if a company is legit, ask! Visit work-at-home discussion forums and ask about the company. Chances are people have heard of them or can tell you if it's a real job or not. Unfortunately, new scammers appear every day, so even if you can't find anything negative about them, proceed with caution.
Likewise, if you are unsure if a company is legitimate, DO NOT give them your social security number, home address, or any bank details (for direct deposit). The employer will not need this information unless they are actually employing you. I advise people to leave these fields blank when applying for jobs. If an employer likes your qualifications and wants to hire you (and you're absolutely sure they're legitimate), you can give them that information. Real employers will understand your caution.
The best way to avoid scams is to listen to your gut. There are always warning signs. Even if everything seems to be looking up and your gut is telling you something is wrong, LISTEN to it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, "I had a bad feeling, but I wanted it to be real, so I took a chance." Don't do it. You have a great built-in warning system. We all do. It's called intuition. Outwit the scammers.
Professionalism, patience, and persistence
Finally, don't forget that working from home is in huge demand. Thousands and thousands of people are applying for the same positions as you. Make sure your resume is in tip-top shape and clearly states your experience and qualifications for the job you're applying for. Consider investing in a professionally crafted resume and cover letter. It's worth the money if it works for you!
If you haven't heard back after a week or two, why not contact the company to check the status of your application? Send a nice email with your question or give them a call. (Only if the company hasn't asked you not to.) Don't whine or apologize, be professional about it. Express your genuine interest in working for them. Persistence can pay off if you don't annoy your potential employer.
Patience is important because finding a work-from-home position can take many months. If you can't wait, why not consider starting your own business? Don't let your lack of experience stop you. You can learn anything you don't know. Talk to other business owners who are doing what you are considering. Ask them how they got started. There are a lot of great people out there who would love to help point you in the right direction.
Think about what you really want in a career at home. Do you prefer to be your own boss or work for someone else? Do you need flexible working hours, or would you rather have a fixed schedule? Do you enjoy working on the phone or over the Internet? Make a clear list of what you want and what you don't want. This will make your search much faster.
You can create the perfect career for yourself. Many others have done it, so why not you?
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