Find legitimate work-at-home jobs

If the words “work-at-home” have you thinking “scam!” it’s time to talk in different terms. Many people successfully run home-based businesses, have jobs that allow them to telecommute or earn extra money on the side. (No scams or illegal activity involved). According to Statistics Canada, over one million Canadians telecommute at least part of the time.

So how do they do it, and where can you find those opportunities?

Jobs that let you work at home

Today’s technology offers the flexibility to work from a home office rather than going into an office everyday. Knowing what careers suit this type of arrangement is a good place to start hunting for positions. For example, CareerBuilder.com offers a list of jobs that typically allow you to work from home:

Administrative assistant (also known as virtual assistants)

Advertising sales agents

Computer software engineer

Copy editors

Corporate event planner

Desktop publisher

Data entry clerk (Note: there are many scams that involve data entry work so be careful here)

Insurance underwriter

Market research analyst

Paralegal

Other potential opportunities include virtual customer service representatives, tech support and sales representatives and transcriptionists.

In addition, you can leverage your current expertise and experience into part-time or full-time work:

Freelance: Creative services like web design, writing, illustration, desktop publishing, graphic design and editing can all be done from home on a freelance basis.

Consulting: Companies are looking for experienced problem solvers with some “experience in the trenches”. You can offer your expertise on a part-time basis to help out.

Online education: The internet means you don’t have to stand in front of a classroom. If you’ve got expertise in a certain subject or previous teaching or training experience, look into online teaching and tutoring opportunities.

Hobby turned business: You can turn a talent or hobby into a business out of your home. Take Avery Carter, for example, who started a cake-decorating business. (See Turn talents into cash for details.) You can also make and sell your own hand-crafted items online through sites like Etsy.com.

Expect to invest some time and money promoting your services, and make sure your current contract doesn’t conflict with any extra work you take on.

Find the real deal

When it comes right down to it, finding a work-at-home job isn’t that much different from finding any job in terms of search strategies. Here are some strategies to try.

Determine your goals. Start by asking yourself some hard questions. Are you looking for occasional, part-time or full-time employment? Do you want to start your own business or work for a company? Do you prefer a regular pay cheque or contract and consignment work? Do you require flexibility in order to accommodate family responsibilities or your current job? Do you want to try something new or get back into the workforce?

The answers to these questions will help you define criteria for searching and selecting opportunities.

Start with your current job. If you’re already employed the easiest work-at-home job to find might be your own. Many companies offer more flexibility in order to keep qualified and talented employees on their payroll. Sit down and have a talk with your boss and find out what options are available. There may be ways to switch your duties so you can work at home, or other opportunities within the company.

Search postings on career websites. If you’ve tried typing “work from home” into a search engine, you already know the results can be questionable. Instead, explore well-known services like CareerBuilder.ca, Monster.ca and Workopolis.com and look for jobs that lend themselves to telecommuting. Also try searching for jobs using telecommuting as a criterion. Use search terms like “telecommute”, “home-based”, “work from home” and “virtual” as keywords.

Check company websites. Many companies recruit directly through their own websites (look for the “careers” section). If you aren’t limiting your search to well-known and reputable companies, make sure to do your research (including obtaining a Better Business Bureau reliability report).

Use the classifieds — with caution. Don’t forget to check your local paper or broader services like Craigslist, but be careful because scams can sneak through. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions, and immediately stop contact if something doesn’t seem right — like you’re asked for money or personal or financial information.

Go through a reputable recruiting agency. Recruiting agencies can help connect you with employers, and some even specialize in work at home opportunities. Just be sure to research the company carefully before you sign up and make sure you fully understand the terms and policies.

Join a professional organization. If you’re looking to freelance or consult, join a professional organization (or take advantage of your current memberships) for networking opportunities and job search databases. For instance, the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) offers its members a database to connect clients with freelance writers. Many groups offer workshops and networking events as well.

Get the word out. As with any job search, keep your contacts up to date and let them know you’re looking for at-home work. You might just get a lead on a job or a recommendation for contract work.

Read credible publications. Skip the phony reviews and websites and see what professionals are saying about certain websites and services. Look for “work at home” articles through reputable media outlets, but watch out for any disclaimers saying the author or organization doesn’t vouch for a particular service.

Go to the library or bookstore. If you’re serious about working from home, there are many books on the market to help out. (One of the most recent is Tory Johnson’s Will Work From Home.) Read the “about the author” sections to check on the writer’s credentials and expertise.

Educate yourself on known scams — and how to avoid them. Watch for scam alerts from the Better Business Bureau and organizations like Scambusters.org. (See Avoid online employment scams and How to spot the work-at-home scams for full details.)

Ultimately, there’s no quick fix or “get rich quick” scheme. Finding a good opportunity is going to take an investment of time and effort — just like any other job search. Taking a “buyer beware” approach to the search can help you dodge the scams and find the legitimate opportunities.

Additional Sources:
About.com Work at Home Jobs
Better Business Bureau