Continued from page 1
To begin with, inventory your skills and experience. Then determine what kinds of positions you can do, for example, data entry, telemarketing, customer service, transcription, web design, accountant, lawyer etc. Then grab
yellow pages and list businesses that may require skills you possess. Approach them either in writing (enclosing a copy of your resume) or by telephone.
If telecommuting is a new concept for your prospective employer, but everything else about position seems to be right, consider taking job as a regular position first to prove yourself then move into telecommuting gradually. For some useful starting points for finding a telecommuting position, see:
http:/ elecommuting.about.com/msub3.htm (for administrative positions) http:/ elecommuting.about.com/cs/joblistings/ (for contract/ freelance positions) http:/ elecommuting.about.com/cs/jobscomputer/ (for computer-related positions) http:/ elecommuting.about.com/cs/jobswriting/ (for positions involving writing).
OTHER ISSUES
OK, so what other issues do you need to think about?
=> Children
If you have young children, you may be thinking of telecommuting as an alternative to day care. Although some telecommuting positions lend themselves to working around your children's schedule, majority don't. The fact that you're working from home does not necessarily mean you get to work when you want. If you have a job that requires you to effectively work a 9 to 5 workday, then you're going to need to make accommodations for children that require constant direct supervision.
Once your children are a little older and start school, life gets a lot easier but when you have preschoolers running underfoot, you're going to have a challenge so know what you're getting yourself into.
To make things as easy as possible, establish a schedule and routine for yourself and kids. Include in your schedule work you must do for your job, any household chores that need to be attended to and time with kids. In fact, why not get kids to help with chores?
Also, don't let friends, family or neighbors eat into your time. Make sure they (and you!) understand that although you may be home you are not available for social activities - you are WORKING. Spell it out if you have to.
The same goes for personal telephone calls. Either get caller ID with voicemail so you can screen personal calls and return them at a convenient time or get a second line - one for home and one for work.
In terms of boundaries, remember that as far as your kids are concerned, you're just mom (or mum) or dad to your kids and if you're at home they expect you to be available to them, on tap. Help them to understand that you have a life outside of home and to relate to you as an independent, professional person (as well as mom or dad) who just happens to be around house more than usual.
Also, don't expect too much of your kids. They are kids after all. In particular, don't expect them to be quiet and well- behaved just because you have to work. Try and locate your office somewhere away from kids if noise is a problem. But if they're very young and need constant supervision (and your work will accommodate this level of attention), just childproof everything as best you can. Otherwise daycare is your friend.
=> Office Space
Obviously, having an area where you can work productively is crucial. You don't need to spend a fortune setting up an elaborate office. If you have a spare room, great, use it as your office provided it's suitable. But if you don't, an unused corner of living room or kitchen or dining table will do in a pinch too. Make sure that whatever area you choose has good (preferably natural) lighting.
Also (and this is from personal experience), don't try and use a laptop full-time even though they take up conveniently little space. They're not designed for that. Make sure you have an area big enough to house a desk that will take a desktop monitor and keyboard. Keep your laptop for traveling or emergencies.
To furnish your office inexpensively, visit second hand stores, auctions, office furniture resellers, garage sales etc. as well as your local newspaper classifieds to find furniture.
=> Equipment
The equipment you need (and your employer may well provide some or all of it) will depend on nature of your work but if it's a typical office position, you'll need:
=> Two telephone lines one for personal use and one for business (including voice and fax capability). => A fast Internet connection cable or DSL is a must! => A two-line speaker phone with rolodex. => State-of-the-art computer (or best you can afford -- best are not that expensive these days fortunately). => Fast laser printer. => Fax machine. => Answering machine and/or voice mail. => Tape or CD backup . => Power surge protector.
You are going to be using a lot of juice with all this stuff so make sure your electrical circuit system can handle it. If in doubt, get an electrician in.
Telecommuting offers a bridge for those who need or want to work for someone else but just don't want to have to leave house to do it. Finding a telecommuting position if you're not already in a job that lends itself to such a working arrangement will probably not be easy but it's worth persevering. If you need to work for a time in a position before raising issue, do so. After all, telecommuting is not necessarily a job in itself. Rather, it can be a privilege you can earn by proving yourself to be a dependable and reliable worker in traditional workplace first.
