Parents of small children, those still in post-secondary school and those with disabilities, are all ideal candidates for the flexible scheduling and comfort of working from home. Unfortunately, finding a job from home can be a challenge when the Internet is peppered with scams and marketing schemes. Find legitimate jobs by knowing how and where to look, and by understanding which jobs work best on an at-home basis. Just like any job search, it can be grueling and discouraging, but once you find the right fit, it's worth the time and effort to work from home.
Step 1
Learn the working-from-home lingo used on websites and in business. Instead of referring to it as a work at home job, it's professionally known as telecommuting, or commuting to your place of business via technology. Working from home may also be referred to as satellite employment. Because you'd be working without supervision, you may be paid a piece or project rate, rather than by hour, and mothers who work from home are referred to as "wahm" or work at home moms.
Step 2
Ask your current boss about the possibility of working from home part or all of your hours. Draw up a proposal that explains how you would manage the telecommuting each day and when you'd be available, as well as pointing out the energy savings that would benefit your employer by having fewer workers in the office. If your boss seems reluctant, ask for a trial period, suggests Katharine Hansen, creative director and associate publisher of Quintessential Careers. You'll be able to demonstrate the benefits of working from home for your boss over a one- or two-week period.
Step 3
Search websites and online job banks dedicated to finding work from home. Some websites to check are WAHM, HomeWorkers, TJobs and GoFreelance. All offer job listings exclusively for employers looking to hire satellite employees. Using a job bank can also give you access to online forums made up of others searching for or already working at-home jobs, which can be a valuable resource when searching and adjusting to your new style of employment.
Step 4
Create your own business using the skills that you already possess. Working from home needn't only be working as an employee for another company. Certain home businesses can be run from a small home office, including an event and party planning business, child care businesses, catering businesses and freelance work in journalism, accounting and organizational skills, suggests Bankrate.com.
Step 5
Watch for clever scams that seek to ensnare those looking for work at home. Never pay money for work, warns Scam Busters. If a company asks that you pay for a training manual or to be part of a marketing business, it's likely a scam. Before you sign on with a company, run a quick search for the company name on the Better Business Bureau website, as well as running a casual Internet search to see what others online are saying about the company. Always research before you give away any of your personal information.
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