Finding a job that allows you to work from home is difficult. Many telecommuters work out an arrangement with their current employer that lets them work from home a few days per week. If you are not already working with a company that is receptive to telecommuting and are looking for a new job that allows you to work from home, you have your work cut out for you.
Work-from-home jobs do exist but the jobs you will readily come across are nearly always scams. One of the reasons I don’t have Google Adwords on my site is because Google’s program chooses the ads to put on your site, based on relevance. When I implemented the program Google plopped in ads featuring “Make $1,000 in your first week!” I refuse to promote this garbage on my site.
Aside from scams, most other work-from-home jobs comprise medical transcription and virtual assisting. Isn’t there anything else?
I found my first work from home job on Craigslist. I was overqualified for the position but it was a start and I made good connections. This job led to a month-long writing gig. I was referred to another job from a former co-worker. This job is wonderful – I do many of the same things I did in my former marketing life such as event logistics (think tradeshow planning), marketing communications (email blasts, newsletters, brochures), and member retention (think client database management). After a year with this job I was referred by a Board Member for yet another position. Now I work for two medical societies and take on other projects as I can, mostly referrals.
Some sites I’ve come across that may be helpful in your professional search include:
Hire My Mom
The Creative Group
Guru.com
Orca Communications
Craigslist.org<(in the left column of the site under “Search Craigslist” type in “telecommute” and select from the drop down menu “jobs”)
Opportunities also exist in unlikely places such as town web sites. Towns usually have employment listings, though not necessarily telecommuting jobs. These listing may clue you into potential opportunities and connections you hadn’t thought of before.
Also, get a Linked In(www.linkedin.com) account. Linked In lists jobs that are often unique to the site. Get recommendations from past co-workers and bosses on this site. Be sure to keep your profile up-to-date and keep your skills as current as possible. Can you take a refresher software course at the local adult education center?
There is some great information on the web site Women for Hire. Check it out.
Filed under: office tools, reviews, telecommuting facts
