Telecommuting: Myths and FactsWhat is telecommuting? There's a lot of myth and confusion about what telecommuting is or isn't. I like Webster's definition best: "to work from home or outside the traditional office or workplace, using a computer and telephone connection". The difference is in where you work. That's all. Everything else is the same. You're still an employee. You have the same benefits, duties and privileges as your co-workers. You just spend less time at "the office". What are the pros and cons of working at home?
Advantages Of Telecommuting Meetings, commuting and chatting can be incredibly time-consuming. Use the hours saved to get more real work done. When you work at home, your time is spent exclusively on income-generating activity. Your boss should be happy about that! There's no one looking over your shoulder and asking how your project is getting on.
When Telecommuting Is Not The Best Solution Tune out anything that distracts: TV, fridge, bed, the kids, mindless surfing on the Web. Make it your mantra to do a good job, whether or not anyone's looking. Some people think that just because you're at home, they can drop in on you or ask you to run errands. Remember you're at home to work. Be professional, even if you're in your pj's. Better still, dress like you would if you were going to the office. This can give you a psychological boost and make you take your work seriously. If you enjoy the bustle of an office environment and having people to chat with, this may not be the best option for you. How do I become a telecommuter? The most obvious place to start is with your current job. First, make sure you are in good standing with your boss. Why would he even consider your idea if you aren't already a good worker? Second, ask your boss if he would consider letting you work from home two days a week. If he asks why, explain to him that you get more work done when you don't have to contend with traffic jams or engage in social chitchat. You are using your work time for work purposes. Emphasize the benefits of your proposal to him and to the organization. Do not say things like "I want more time to spend with my kids". That is being me-focused, not employer-focused. When you want someone to do something for you, the best way to go about it is to show them why letting you have your way is actually a good thing for them. Best Places To Find Work From Home Jobs If your current job does not allow telecommuting or you are in between jobs, you may want to try the following:
How To Spot A Telecommuter Position The easiest way to identify a telecommuter position is by what the recruiter says in the location description. Instead of "Melbourne CBD" or "Boston", it might say "Anywhere", "Remote from home" or "Telecommuting ok". How Not To Be Scammed The Internet is such an easy and popular search tool that it's easy to get scammed. Anyone can post anything and it's hard to know if they're legitimate. When using online job boards, job listings and databases, remember these three golden rules. Make sure the positions are:
Recommended Resource Sylvie Charrier, founder of Workaholics4Hire, has written an excellent ebook called You Can Work In Your PJs. It provides a very helpful overview of what telecommuting is, what it isn't, and why not everyone is suited to it. I have written a review of the book for EzineArticles.com. Read my review of You Can Work In Your PJs so you get a better idea of whether the book is what you are looking for.
In fact, why not go further and find out if telecommuting is a workable career option for you? If after reading the book you decide that working from home is NOT for you, take advantage of the 90-day money-back guarantee and ask for your money back. By giving yourself an opportunity to evaluate the claims of the book for yourself, you are now better placed to decide what to do next. Either way, you gain!
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