Rewards of Working From Home

Your resume has to really stand out when you work from home, as you are competing from people from all of the United States, and sometimes all over the world. You may want to have more than one resume available depending on the job you are pursuing. I suggest having one for call centers, one for free lance writing jobs, one for tutoring etc. Before you even begin your resume writing, write down everything that pertains to working from home that may help yours stand out. Work at home employers like candidates that have ANY work at home experience in the past, this may include mystery shopping, working from home part-time at your previous employment etc. They also like those with call center experience, people who can work independently, may have experience in home schooling, day care etc. Make a list of ALL the jobs you have had in the past and work off of it! You will be surprised how much information you will have that may pertain to working from home. Also, be prepared to write a different covered letter for each job you intend to apply for. Remember, you want to stand out, so make your cover short, but put pertinent information about your experience in it. Here is a site where you can post your resume and get advice. The password is resume. http://writeboard.com/7718974058e45ea15

When I first decided I was going to work from home, I had no idea there were so many opportunities out there. At the time I was just using my email I used for everything, that was a mistake. I have learned you should set up a generic email from Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail for all the online applications your submit, just in case there is a slight chance you have applied to something that is not legit, and you end up getting a lot of spam. This has not happened to me, but I have heard about it happening to others. Secondly, you do not want the same email address for all of your jobs, as that will get confusing. When you finally get hired, set up an email for each company. I know it sounds like a hassle to check two or three emails throughout the day, but it is much easier than sorting through one continually. Also, you do not want to send the wrong email to the wrong company.

When you work in an office you see your coworkers daily, and form some sort of bond with them (well some of them ). Sometimes you spend more time with office mates then your own family. What about when you work from home? Is it possible to form a connection when you work from home? If you freelance 100% maybe you have no desire to connect with other people on a regular basis, or you could join chat rooms, and read blogs. At one of my jobs from home we have a forum, chat room, and instant messaging. As we are working, we are all connected together via chat, getting to know each other better, as we discuss our work. We also post pictures, swap recipes, and things about ourselves in the forum. In a sense we have formed that connection. This week while traveling, I got to meet one of my coworkers! Since we had already chatted online, we were not strangers. Along with our spouses we met for dinner, chatted like old friends, and had a terrific time. There was never a lull in the conversation or an awkward moment. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity, and our plans are underway for when she visits my state in the summer!

My main job as I mentioned is a tutor like position for Chinese students, but there are many tutor positions out there for children here in the United States. If there is an area of expertise you feel you could help a child with, or you home school your own children, this may be worth looking into. Some of these positions require a degree, and others do not. Most of these positions will be during the school year, but there are also some summer sessions available. Hours are usually after school, and evenings.  From my research, I have found that there is some testing involved to make sure you are qualified to tutor the students properly.

Here are some companies that hire tutors…

http://www.educate-online.com/careers.htm

http://www.brainfuse.com/register/becomtutor.asp

http://www.tutor.com/apply

Having a stable internet connection is a MUST when working from home. I live in a real rural area, so I only have one choice for an internet provider. Luckily, they had DSL.  Most work at home opportunities require you have DSL or Cable Modem. There are some that still allow dial up, but that will make for some slow going. Since I am travelling this week, I was concerned about being able to connect while being away from home. The home I am staying at has cable modem and I cannot connnect to that with my laptop. I could use my host’s computer, however, it was away being repaired. Fortunately, I am getting a wireless signal! There are other options when you are travelling, such as the library, Starbucks, Panera, etc. If you need to get some work done, when travelling, it can be done!

When you are searching for your work at home job, check the requirements for your computer, sometimes speed and memory are a factor, and you may have to upgrade.

What type of phone will you need when you work from home and how can you travel it? This will vary with each job. Many call centers will require that you have a land line phone, or even a second line in your home. This could be a burden on some who are just getting started, but a second phone line that is just basic should be quite inexpensive. Many people use their cell phones, however, many work from home places frown on that. I use Skype (a VOIP phone) for many of jobs, and it travels with me. It is less than $30 a year, I can make unlimited calls throughout the United States and Canada. These call are made through my computer with a USB headset that I already needed for a work at home job I had. The calls are clear and I even have received calls from China from the Idapted headquarters on it. There are some companies that do not allow VOIP phones, but I have been fortunate! Wherever I travel I have my Skype and my cell phone. You can only receive calls with Skype if the other person has Skype also, that is the only downfall, but to make calls it is great when you travel. I also have a land line and a cell phone for home and my car needs.

Since I am in Florida, I have been thinking to myself, “wouldn’t it be nice to live here in the winter, and back north in the summer!” Can I do that with my current work at home jobs? With the ones I currently have it is possible, although there are many that have state restrictions. Many only hire in some states, so make sure you read their guidelines before applying. However, I do suggest you apply to any job in case they decide to add the state you live in to their list in the future. You never want to miss an opportunity. It is also helpful to have your name in with a company if you ever do move to a state they already service. Well, of I go in search of my second home.

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year! Therefore, I am off from my job with Idapted, and with that in mind, I booked a spur of the moment trip to Florida just a week ago. I am writing my blog as I await to board my plane! I decided to take my laptop with me in case I want to work a few hours for Lifebushido. If I have some free time I will log in some hours, because I have that option. There are many work at home jobs that allow you to work while you are travelling. I like that option! If I want to work five hours during my week in Florida, I will. This will help me not to fall behind. Being able to plan a last minute vacation is another great perk about working from home. You are the boss, and if you decide you need a last minute break, you can just take one! Luckily my husband’s employer was as understanding.

What exactly is Mail Decoy? You basically sign up and get mail! Mostly business mail, catalogues, but some people get magazine subscriptions also. You have to log the pieces you get, and you are paid by the piece. You are obviously are not going to get  rich off this, but it would be nice extra money. They say the longer you stick it out, the more mail you will receive. These mail decoy services are used to test marketing and promotions in areas. You are reporting on if the mail is being received by the delivery date (we all see that on catalogues and flyers MUST BE IN HOME BY…).  Marketing companies spend quite a bit of money to get this information out to consumers and want to make sure it is arriving in a timely manner.

Check out these mail decoy sites for more information.

http://www.hausertrack.com/

http://www.usmonitor.com/agentform/

http://www.world-mail-panel.com/

There are many that make full-time incomes doing transcription, or you could do it part-time. Most companies require experience, but there are those that are willing to train. You need to be a fast and accurate typist, be able to spell,  and have a quite location to do your work. Getting started could take awhile, but if you work hard and are persistent, you could develop a career right in your home! Even if you have never done transcription work before, and you are a strong typist with good English skills, this is something you should look into! I strongly encourage people to try something new when hunting for for work at home, you never know what opportunities may be out there.

Here is a link to practice your typing http://www.typingtest.com/default.asp

Here are a few companies…

http://www.tigerfish.com/employment.html

http://www.speak-write.com/TypistNav/Employment/index.cfm

http://www.accutranglobal.com/jobs.html