If you think telecommuting jobs are as scarce as the proverbial needle in a haystack, or are scams to induce you to part with your money, maybe you've been approaching them the wrong way. Sylvie Charrier, founder of Workaholics4Hire and herself a telecommuter, has published an insider's guide to how you can succeed at working from home if you have the right attitude and know-how.
5 Reasons Why You Should Read "You Can Work In Your PJs"
It's hard not to like someone who not only knows what she is talking about, but who seems genuinely concerned about telecommuters being scammed by false promises and being asked to pay to work. Throughout the book, Charrier keeps reminding the reader: never pay for a job! If you have to, it's a scam.
Charrier is upfront about the realities of working from home. Most sites plug the glamour and ease of working from home but are quick to gloss over the brutal facts about why employers are reluctant to hire telecommuters.
Links in the book are constantly updated through the companion Resource Directory. This guarantees that the information you get whenever you access it is the freshest.
The book comes with ready-to-use templates for brochures, cover letters and resumes.
Charrier has a clever way of creatively engaging the reader. Chapter 5 is a prime example. Written in a highly interactive, personal and organic nature, it is designed to make you think in a new way of the specific skills you have which can be applied to create your own niche in the telecommuting market. Read it - you will be amazed.
Tips for Successful Telecommuting - The insider information you won't get anywhere else
The truth about real world telecommuting. Like, you will not have more time with your family. You will be home more, but you'll also be busier. You won't save money on childcare. In fact, you'll need childcare so you can get any work done at all.
6 reasons why many employers don't hire home-based workers. Some workers try to bully their way into a job. Some ignore the requirements in the job description and waste the employer's time. Some are so suspicious because they have been scammed before, that they fail to recognize a high-quality job description when they see one. Some annoy employers by typing their cover letters completely in capitals. Some are vague and non-descriptive about what they can do for the employer. And the final and most shocking statistic? More than 65% of potential home-based workers fail to follow through when they get the job.
Right and wrong motivations for telecommuting. Some people aren't successful because they are doing it for the wrong reasons. For instance, wanting to be with your children and not wanting to commute are NOT good reasons. Hint: It's not about you and your interests only. Focus on the employer's interests instead. Become an empathic telecommuter and you will be better able to get that telecommuting position.
4 essential personality quirks of successful telecommuters. You are self-motivated. You are obsessive-compulsive. You are a perfectionist. You are cheerful and an optimist.
4 common pitfalls that discourage people from telecommuting. You're on your own. Your friends think you're nuts. Jobs are hard to find. Your skills are limited.
The difference between a home business and working from home. Examples of individuals who work from home are the telecommuting (or offsite) employee and the independent contractor or freelancer. Home business includes the pre-packaged home based business-in-a-box, which is similar to a franchise.
The equipment and software that you need to get started. Get a laser printer instead of an inkjet one; the quality is worth it. Use an e-fax facility from a reputable third party provider. You will never miss a fax, and you get a toll-free number which looks professional. Get your own website. Get as much software as you can (buy used instead of new) and master it.
The biggest secret that all successful telecommuters know. Change your mindset and realize that you alone are in control. Not scammers, not employers, not the lack of jobs.
Things you can do to boost your chances of success. List your hobbies. List your skills. Pretend you are a business consultant and use the lists to help you invent your own career. See how Charrier spins out 6 amazing different business ideas from one hobby.
Know how to use different cover letters for different jobs and different delivery modes (email, fax), and how a telecommuter's cover letter differs from a standard job applicant's.
Resume writing guide.Tips on how to write a compact one-paragraph introduction designed to help you ace the job, how and why you should use action verbs, how to use keywords to ensure your resume is picked up by the employer's resume scanning program, and how to write your resume in ASCII format.
What to do if you have no prior experience and your prospective employer asks to see your work samples. You can create a freelancer's portfolio using dummy samples and work you have done on a volunteer basis.
How do you minimize expenses? Try bartering with small business owners for services you need. In exchange, offer them your services and request that they 'pay' you with referrals and testimonials. The benefits are plentiful - you save your money, secure quality leads for future projects, and have a ready source of testimonials that you can show future clients or employers.
What to expect after you apply. Most employers will not respond, unless they plan to interview you. When you do get a good response, reply immediately, politely and professionally, and get ready for the (phone) interview.
Maximize your job search strategy. Spend 30 minutes a day on doing a targeted job search. Know what you are looking for. Have all your materials ready before you search. Choose your search tools carefully. Then spend the rest of your day working on projects, or acquiring a new skill, or networking with potential clients, or building a home based business, or volunteering. Cultivate the attitude of working hard and putting your time to wise use.
How to optimize work-from-home job boards and job listings. Guess where these job databases really get their jobs? Other job sites! Not only is this a copyright violation, it prejudices your chances of securing a real job. Contrast this with Workaholic4Hire's approach and how it helps you: the listings are free, valid and current.
How to use freelance project postings sites. You can bid publicly for a job (not recommended), bid privately (recommended), or submit formal proposals to government agencies (highly recommended because they are long term and lucrative; once you are a government supplier, your business grows exponentially).
How to reach employers. Create a professional website. Market your site through search engines, discussion boards, reciprocal link exchanges, and articles in newsletters. Upload samples of your work to your online portfolio. Network with local business. Research your prospective client intensively.
Serena Tan helps people to explore the confusing and sometimes scary transition called Career Change. She created http://www.career-change-confidence.com to empower, encourage and equip individuals to make confident career decisions.
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