Telecommuting Jobs: Make a Real Income as a Customer Service Rep
Finding a telecommute job may be easier than you think. Some companies openly advertise for telecommuters, whereas others are at least willing to discuss the arrangement. I think that the number of work at home professionals has increased within the past few years. It seems that more and more people are home throughout the day. On my street alone, there are quite a few people that don’t leave the house on the weekdays. They are either in a great financial place, or they work from home.
After doing a little online research, I’ve discovered a number of companies that seek telecommuters for a wide range of positions. And the best part…..you don’t need a lot of experience. I’m not talking about a business opportunity or work from home scam. Rather, these are legitimate companies looking for legitimate employees.
Telecommute customer service reps seem to be in high demand. Companies such as Alpine Access, VIP Desk, and West at Home need professional customer service reps to answer inbound calls and respond to e-mail. These jobs pay real money (per hour or per minute), and the requirements are simple. In many instances, applicants only need a telephone line, Internet access, and a quiet space to work.
Technorati Tags: work at home, telecommuting jobs, telecommuters, self-employed, customer service, data entry
Developing a Telecommute Morning Ritual
Although many people would jump at the idea to work from home, there seems to be a dark side to telecommuting that few people take into account before quitting their corporate job. We’ve explored various ways to cope with loneliness, which basically involves finding ways to connect with the outside world. Sitting in your home office day after day isn’t always fun. While some telecommuters love solitude and are able to thrive under these conditions, others face days that seem to drag on forever.
Most telecommuters are unbound to the hands of time. Yes, they have deadlines. However, a great number of telecommuters make their own schedules. Thus, it’s easy for work at home professionals to fall into a lazy routine. They’ll wake-up late, stay in their pajamas all day, and never leave the house. It’s no wonder that some telecommuters feel lonely and confined.
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Lonely Days: How to Deal with Isolation?
Those who work in an office or other social setting can converse with co-workers throughout the day, schedule lunch dates, and enjoy normal day-to-day interactions. If you’re outgoing and enjoy the company of others, you likely need to be around people on a daily basis. Unfortunately, a sociable personality can create a dilemma for anyone who wants to telecommute or work from home.
I know two work at home professionals who eventually returned to the workplace. It had nothing to do with lack of discipline or inability to thrive at home. To be more precise, these persons considered social interaction a necessity, and working at home didn’t live up to their expectations.
I’ll be the first to admit, it can get lonely throughout the day. Still, it beats sitting at a desk for 40 hours each week.
The key to overcoming work at home isolation is to find an outlet.
- Social Network: If you work online, you likely take breaks throughout the day to read the latest headlines, your favorite blogs, celebrity gossip, and so forth. Make blog surfing a regular routine. You can get to know other work at home professionals by commenting on blogs and news articles. Read the discussions and share your opinions. Before you know it, you’ll become part of a growing online community.
- Buddy System: If you’re not into social networking, consider getting a buddy or two. This could be another telecommute professional or an employer with access to e-mail or instant messaging. Send each other messages throughout the day. You can share random thoughts or release your frustration.
- Leave the House: Working at home doesn’t mean you’re confined to one location. Many public places offer free wireless Internet. Go to your favorite coffee shop or work from the library. Better yet, meet a friend for lunch or go for a walk. Do you have a back patio? Set-up a temporary office outdoors. If you don’t need Internet access, consider working at the park for a few hours.
Technorati Tags: work at home, telecommute, freelance, social isolation, loneliness
Become a Telecommute Employee in 2008
The word “telecommute” often brings to mind the image of self-employed or home based business owners who live a life of freedom and earn unlimited income. Quite the opposite, a telecommute professional can also be an employee who works for a specific company. Today, more and more employers allow telecommuting. FreelanceMom.com, a blog for telecommute professionals, lists the top 9 reasons why each employer should give their employees the option to work from home.
Anyone who wants to propose a telecommute arrangement for the new year ought to review this list and pinpoint the advantages that’ll best serve their employer’s interest. You might be surprised with the response. Perhaps your boss will experiment with telecommuting on a trial basis. This way, they can track your performance and determine whether you can handle minimum supervision. Besides, every employer wants to save money and maintain happy workers.
You’ll likely become an independent contractor, which means your employer will have less overhead and reduced benefit expenses. And it’s a fact, happy workers are motivated and more productive. Who best to increase the company’s bottom line than productive, satisfied employees?
Technorati Tags: work at home, telecommute, freelance, independent contractor
