Can I Really Work from Home?

In my work as a financial counselor, one of the toughest obstacles to overcome is loss of a job or long term unemployment. For single parents navigating the job market after losing a job can be particularly challenging because of issues with childcare, scheduling flexibility, or difficulty continuing education. However, the increased popularity of telecommuting may be an option that can help minimize certain difficulties to create a win-win for the employee and the employer.

More and more companies are embracing the the strategy of using home-based employees as a cost-cutting measure an enticement to attract and keep valuable trained employees. Everyone recognizes that employment advertising, training, office space are three of the biggest and necessary costs that a business lays out. Advances in technology and the public's general familiarity with its use, have given many companies the ability to allow certain employees to work virtually with the same if not better efficiency than in an office.

Technology and IT professionals were some of the first workers to benefit from this trend.programmers, help desk associates, network administrators are a few of the positions that regular post for telecommuters. If you have a background in this industry or are considering re-training, this field consistently advertises legitimate, high-paying work from home opportunities.
The customer service call center is an industry that is also embracing the use of remote agents. Customer Service is a field that touches every field of business in one way or another, so people from a variety of educational disciplines or business industries might be qualified to assume position with companies providing this service. Everyone from airlines to retail establishments to financial services companies might hire entry level to mi-management personnel to work from home.

But as great as all of this sounds, trying to find these openings can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. One reason is that companies want to ensure the same customer confidence in their staff at home as in their staff in the office. That's why many companies wont always readily advertise that a position is virtual. Another hindrance in finding this type of position is the proliferation of work from home ad scams. You've heard the stories or even responded to the ads that ask for big money to get trained, hired, or get access to listings. Or one of those sketchy business opportunities which is really just pyramid scams masquerading as a job opening. Definitely BEWARE! Do your research.

I am going to help you out to get started. I've done some initial research and identified a few companies offering legitimate work from home opportunities. As I find others, i will sen out short blasts on this blog and please you o the same. Also feel free to post feedback on companies we should beware of. Make sure to include labels work from home op, or scam as one of the post labels.

Alpine Access - outsources virtual call center customer service solutions to many Fortune 500 companies. Hires throughout the country. Please check the background requirements before applying There is a $45 fee at last check for a background an credit check if you are offered a position. All disclosed an explained very well on website. Background in multiple disciplines welcome, call center, customer service, or virtual experience a definite plus.

AscendOne - as of this post AscenOne had no openings for virtual or remote agents but regularly hires for this position throughout the country. Background in mortgages, sales, financial services, or credit desired. Will consider experience in lieu of degree for most positions. Bi-lingual a definite plus with or without experience.

AccountNow generally lists openings thru large employment sites like Monster.com, but you can forward your resume directly to Jobs@accountnow.net . Positions are regional with most recent openings in SC. Agents provide customer service to prepaid debit card customers.

Catch these News stories on the topic

News 4 Greenville, SC 12/05/08

WBZ TV (Boston) 2008/9/24