Looking for a Telecommuting Job?

Finding a telecommuting job involves the right combination of preparation and opportunity. There are an increasing number of  telecommuting jobs available through the Internet, and there are many opportunities available for those who are willing to work at finding them. That’s the good news.

But

“Buyer Beware!” should certainly be your watchword as you search for a telecommuting job. Or, put another way, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! While there are any number of reputable sources that genuinely will help you find a telecommuting job, there are some that are out-and-out scams.

How do you protect yourself?

Check out our Telecommuting Scam Alert, a free checklist of warning signs.
 

We don’t have all the job-hunting answers (beware of anyone who says they do!), but we have some thoughts and tips.

1.      The easiest way to find a telecommuting job is to convince your boss where you are working now that telecommuting is a viable option. In many cases, it’s far easier to make your current job a telecommuting job than it is to find one with a new employer. 
 

Also check out the following articles to which we’ve contributed information or comments:

CBS MarketWatch: "Sell Your Boss on Telecommuting"

BusinessWeek Online: Make the Case for Telecommuting

Make sure you and your skills match up against jobs that are “telecommutable.” If you have a job that requires on-site  work, access to resources only available on-site, or requires primarily face-to-face interaction with co-workers, customers, or others,  your job might not be suitable for telecommuting. Think about the skills an employer requires for a telecommuter—ability to work independently, initiative, computer skills, etc.—and make sure you can demonstrate that you have those skills.
 

2.      Telecommuting jobs are not a substitute for childcare. Real telecommuting jobs (not scams) have real responsibilities, hours and accountabilities—they do not assume you will be caring for children at the same time. If you’re considering telecommuting as a way to blend work and childcare, you’re making a mistake.  We offer a variety of resources to help address the critical aspects of telecommuting successfully while managing challenges related to family and childcare .  Check out these helpful tools available in our store:
 

3.      Beware of anyone who makes guarantees. Legitimate telecommuting jobs are real jobs that will require an application, interview, etc. Anyone who is guaranteeing you a job or unlimited wealth through telecommuting is likely making claims they can’t back up.

4.      Don’t pay money before you investigate. While there are certain circumstances (for example, posting a resume) where you may be required to pay a fee, be sure to investigate thoroughly both the site and alternatives before you pay.

About Job Sites—What to Look For

You’ll find lots of sites on the Internet that offer assistance in finding a job telecommuting. Bear in mind that these sites are almost always “for profit” operations. Either they make money through advertising; through fees paid by employers, or through fees you pay or—some combination of these methods. While it’s desirable, don’t expect that you will be able to access these sites at no cost.

Here are some tips and questions for your use as you begin your research on sites:

• Buyer Beware. Once again your mother was right—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If a site promises a job or instant riches – beware. Keep your “warning radar” on—if your gut tells you something’s wrong, listen to it and walk away.  To learn more about scam warning signs:

• Research the Site. Spend some time on the site. Don’t necessarily jump at the first site that sounds good. Is the site easy to navigate? How often can the profile be updated? What do you know about the company who sponsors the site? Is the site secure?
• Don’t pay money up front. If a site asks for money up front (beyond a membership fee), move on.
• Use trial periods. Many sites will offer trials, or short-term memberships. Wherever possible take advantage of this option. If nothing else, it is a great way to research the site in depth.
• How frequently is the site updated? This is critical. You want to use a job site that is updated regularly—weekly would be a minimum and daily is preferable. If the site doesn’t provide this information, visit the site over a period of several days to make your own assessment.
• Do they have a wide range of employers who post jobs? Again, a critical question. You can find the easiest site to navigate but if it doesn’t have a wide range of jobs and companies offering jobs, it’s of limited value to you.
• Specialized Sites. There are a number of sites that focus on particular jobs (for example, programmers). If you have a specific skill, look for sites that focus on that area.

Once you know what to avoid and what to look for, you can focus on finding the right opportunity for you. Begin by first determining if telecommuting is right for you.

Our Telecommuter Assessment Profile will help you:

·         Assess your strengths and weaknesses;

·         Determine if you have the appropriate home office environment

·         Evaluate your family’s willingness to support your telecommuting venture and

·         Evaluate if your job is “telecommutable.”

Get started NOW on your way to telecommuting!

VirtualWorks! offers quick and inexpensive solutions for assessing your skills and motivation before you take the plunge into telecommuting. Some people aren’t given a choice and their employer tells them they will telework. If you’re in this category, these tools can help you identify where you may experience some difficulties.

If you’re reasonably sure that telework is for you and just want a quick evaluation, then the Telecommuter Self-Assessment is where you should start.  For a quick, self-scored and free self-assessment, download our:

If you have some doubts about your ability to succeed as a telecommuter or you want a detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses as a telecommuter, then you will want to purchase the Telecommuter Assessment Profile (TAP). The TAP offers detailed feedback on twelve criteria that are critical to success as a telecommuter, and, more important, provides recommendations to you for improving your telecommuting skills and abilities. For an inexpensive assessment and detailed feedback, order the TAP:

For a wealth of information about everything you need to know to successfully prepare for telecommuting, check out these resources:
 

Tips on Interviewing

At some point in the hiring process you are going to be interviewed—either on the phone or face-to-face. Interview methods will vary from the unstructured “tell me about yourself” to much more structured, behavioral interviews. Regardless of the interview method used, you’ll find some suggestions on how to prepare and present yourself listed below. Remember: during the interview, the interviewer is trying to find a reason to hire you (or, more frequently, why not to hire you). Some of this may be tangible (e.g., do you have the skills?) and some of it may be “fit” (e.g., will you be comfortable in the organization and the job?). Your challenge is to convince them to hire you. In other words, your task is to sell yourself and, at the same time, make sure you would be comfortable with the job and the employer.  Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Do Your Homework 

Before your interview, it's important to research the company. At a minimum, you should know what their products are, where they are located and their track record. Visit their website or go to your local library and see what you can find out about them.

• Prepare your questions

Based on your research you will want to develop a list of questions to ask the interviewer. (The fact that you have a list of questions will impress many interviewers and it demonstrates your interest in the job.) Imagine that you are hiring that company (and in a way you are), and think about what you need to know about them. Some questions you might want to ask include:

1.      Tell me about the company’s culture?

2.      Who would I report to?

3.      What is his/her leadership style?

4.      What types of training will be available to me?

5.      How are my responsibilities determined?

6.      How will I be evaluated?

7.      How has the company been performing over the last five years?

8.      What are the company’s objectives for the future?

9.      Who else is on my team?

10. What kind of equipment will I receive?

11. How are expenses reimbursed?

While you obviously want to know about pay and benefits, it should not be the first question you ask. Demonstrate your interest in the company and job first, then you can ask about compensation.

• Analyze the Job

Take some time to analyze the job you’re applying for. What are the technical skills that the job requires and what are the “softer” skills that the job may require? Many telecommuting jobs will require some combination of the following:

1.      Ability to work independently

2.      Ability to learn

3.      Initiative

4.      Self organization

5.      Team work

6.      Oral communication

7.      Written communication

8.      Analysis

9.      Resilience

10.    Tolerance for stress

To learn more about the profile of a successful telecommuter:

• Assess your skills and your situation

Once you have analyzed the job, you need match your skills against the job. If there is too big of a gap between your skills and the skills required for the job, you probably shouldn’t pursue it.  Further, because it’s a telecommuting job, you’ll probably be asked about your home office/work environment. Employers will not want you to work at your kitchen table, so think through your home office situation.

For a wealth of information about everything you need to know to successfully prepare for telecommuting, check out these resources:
 

• Prepare your “story”

Assuming you think you’re a good fit for the job—based on your skills, interests and motivation—then prepare yourself to be interviewed. For each skill you have identified, think of a specific example of a time you demonstrated that skill. Approach this as a kind  of storytelling; you are telling a story about yourself. Interviewers remember the “stories” when they probably won’t remember a long list of what you do well.

• Follow Up

After the interview, send a thank you e-mail or note to the interviewer to express your continued interest; or if it’s the case, to let him/her know you are no longer interested.
 

Download our Free: Interview Preparation Checklist

 

Resumes/Cover letters

There are countless sources for getting assistance on writing a resume, providing tips on resumes and assistance on cover letters. Here are a few sites you might check out:

            JobStar Central

            Proven Resumes.com

            1-2-3 Resumes

Remember as you prepare your resume that, in addition to the traditional items on a resume, you’ll want to emphasize your ability to work independently.  Also include any experience you’ve had working without direct, day-to-day supervision, as well as other examples of your ability to telecommute successfully.  For additional information about telecommuting success criteria:

Check out our FREE guide: Telecommuter Self-Assessment

 

 

Job Boards

We have listed below several job boards (websites that offer assistance in finding a telecommuting job). Please read the following comments before you begin your search.

• This is not an all-inclusive list—given the changes that occur on the Internet there are new listings almost daily. You’ll need to update your own search frequently.
• We do not endorse or have any affiliate relationships with any of the job boards.
• However, we have done some screening. We have not listed job boards that we believe meet any of our “scam” criteria. 

Telecommuting Jobs

Independent Homeworkers Alliance

PortaJobs

Writerfind.com

HEA

CareerBuilder.com
Offers more ways to search for jobs than any other search site. You can search by Keywords, City, and State. Their Communities Search or Search by Industry features offer more targeted results. The Companies feature lets you browse a specific organizations list of available jobs.

Freelance Work Exchange

Guru

Jobvertise
Over 50,000 jobs are currently listed in the  database.   In addition to the free job posting service, a free resume database is offered. 

Monster.com
Find the job you're looking for in Monster.com. Search over one million job postings now.

Aardvark's Home Workers Association
AHWA is an Internet forum that offers work at home job opportunities and information for people desiring to work form home.