homecourt advantage: the benefits of working from home

For so long, people have found the concept of working from home quite appealing. Who can blame them? Prior to the Internet, which took telecommuting careers to a whole new level, the set-up used to be associated only with positions high enough the corporate ladder that they merit a flexible work schedule. Today, whether you are a blogger, data processor, freelance writer, graphic artist, or an online entrepreneur, you can enjoy the benefits of working from home:


Increased savings

Working from home cuts your transport and meal expenses. Since you don't have to leave home to earn income, you get to save on gas--think of what you're doing for energy efficiency and the environment! And especially if you work in one of those posh corporate offices, the required power lunches and after-office drinks can be quite hazardous to your finances.

Work even in your pyjamas

Home-based jobs liberate you from constricting office clothes. In addition, no more dress codes to cramp your style!

No more wet shoes and stilettos slipping off the pavement

Ever got caught in 7:00 AM rain? If you're working from home, you couldn't care less even if it doesn't stop raining until it's 9:00 AM (in fact, you could still be asleep then). I'd say this is one of the best things that happened ever since I made a career shift. Add this to saying goodbye to runs in my pantyhose, which of course resulted from squishing myself into crammed train rides.

No more chasing cabs and getting caught in traffic jams

The reason why I used to get down and dirty just to catch my train is that at rush hour, cabbies become instant superstars, and the streets are their red carpets! And what jammed red carpets they are! Remember how the soles of your shoes almost bore a hole on the floor of one-too-many cabs--or your own car--when you were running late for work, and it looked like hell was emptied out onto the highway?

No bundy clocks or bioscans

The reason of that agitation is, of course, the perennial race against time. When you're a home-based worker, the job is usually on a flexible schedule, or flexi-time. This means that your performance is measured based on output and not so much on actual time spent at work. So unless you have a fixed schedule, you can do your job at your own pace and time. If you're most productive at midnight, you can work then--just make sure that you don't miss your deadline, if your home-based job requires one.

No boss literally breathing down your neck.

Should I even explain?

No office politics

No coworkers gossiping about whose fault it was that the presentation bombed. No coworkers gossiping in the cubes. No coworkers gossiping. No coworkers. Period. Sometimes, that is enough benefit.

Work-life balance

With home-based work, pursuing a career no longer has to mean compromising family time and other areas of your life. Especially in families with both parents working, quality time with their kids is often a concern. For stay-at-home moms, a home-based job provides financial independence and boosts self-esteem.

Happy worker

I should know. I'm a home-based writer. I provide text content for clients running search engines and what-have-yous. I'm doing what I love to do, and I get paid per word. This May, I shall have been working from home for a year already. I must admit that I'm still a long way off from the Internet success stories--people earning $4,000 per month without leaving the comforts of their homes. But I sure am not complaining. :)

planning to work from home?

For so long, people have viewed globalization and the Internet as a threat. According to the World Internet Usage Statistics, however, the number of Internet users from 2000 to 2008 increased by a whopping 338%. While the reasons for going online may be for business, education, entertainment, or social networking purposes, a number of people now make a living by working online. With the economy on a downturn, the threat of job loss leads many to seek work-from-home jobs to cushion the fall just in case.

What is a home-based worker?

This simply refers to a person who works from home. In contrast to a "home worker," which is usually taken in the context of domestic work and care, a home-based worker earns a living by performing job tasks at home, which serves as his/her office. Traditionally, jobs that allow people to work from home include envelope stuffing, handicraft, and even babysitting. Nowadays, the globalized market and the Web has provided a variety of jobs for home-based workers.

What types of jobs can I do if I want to work from home?

• Data entry/Data processing - Most data entry jobs are paid by the number of forms you are able to fill out, so if your fingers are good on the keyboard, this might be a good start for you. Not only do you need to work fast, your typing skills should be matched with accuracy. However, be wary of bogus data entry jobs. Many people were reported to have been victimized by Internet frauds promising work-from-home data processing jobs with payment rates that are much too high. So, how do you tell fake jobs from real ones? This can be really tough, as some of the websites that the fake jobs are posted on may have very professional-looking layouts. Usually, these websites require you to make a payment to "register" as a data processor. Also, their rates are often too good to be true. Before you make a go for it, make sure that you check out several websites so you can at least make a comparison of the rates and estimate the pay for data entry posts in the job market. You may also visit Work-From-Home-Directory.com to help you with your search.

• Paid surveys - If you are opinionated or like answering online quizzes, then what could be better than getting paid for what you willingly do for free? Paid surveys may require you to have a PayPal account where your payment can be sent. In addition, some surveys are available only within certain territories/countries.

• Research writing - If your written English communication and research skills are above average, then you may want to check out sites where writers can receive research projects from all over the world. It would help if you have some experience in using style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). However, there are some intellectual property issues associated with this job, because it is a form of "ghost writing," where somebody else (your client) passes off your work as his/her own.

• Blogging - If you are a prolific writer, then blogging could be your thing. Blogs, or web logs, are online journals, similar to what you are reading now. It is a "push-button publication," so you do the research for your topic, writing, and editing all by yourself. You may only earn from your blog by allowing related ads to be displayed on your site. First, you need to apply for advertising services programs, such as Google Adsense. Usually, bloggers earn revenue based on the number of actual clicks on the ads. However, some options allow bloggers to get paid fixed rates based on site traffic. The application to Google Adsense is free, but once it is approved, make sure that you do not violate any of the terms and conditions. Otherwise, your account will be terminated, and you will no longer be able to file another application.
  

Coming up next is my article "Homecourt Advantage: The Benefits of Working from Home." In the meantime, good luck with your home-based job hunt!