How To Get Work-at-Home Jobs

There are so many offers to work at home on the Internet, and most sound too good to be true--and they usually are. However, there are many legitimate opportunities to be had, if you know where to find them.

You can get work at home jobs, as long as you are willing to spend a fair amount of time sifting out the real deals from the scams. One good way to do this is to read posts on telecommuting forums. Often, people who are already working at home are willing to give advice about sorting out the good from the bad. Of course, there may be scamsters posting on these sites, so don't take all advice at face value. The best idea is to look at several forums, and be wary of ones that only have positive things to say. Sites focusing on stay-at-home moms who telecommute are a good source, because often these are people who have had the opportunity to try out different companies.

Another option is looking at consumer advice-oriented websites, including those of trusted sources like established radio talk show hosts. The site of the host of a computer troubleshooting show includes a section on online work at home opportunities.

Other good sources of work-at-home jobs include sites dedicated to the topic. Just Google "work at home," "telecommuting jobs," etc., and see what comes up. Steer clear of a site if it seems geared towards only one company; most legitimate sites have links to many companies, or to ads for telecommuting jobs on reputable sites like Monster or Yahoo.

Landing a work-at-home job doesn't have to mean being committed to one company. Freelance work is a great way to make money from your home, especially if you have a specialized talent or skill. Writing, graphic design, voice-over work, and proofreading are just a few examples. Some sites require a degree or experience, but many others offer the chance to get your feet wet as an amateur.

Another idea is to contact local employers (including your own, if you're currently employed) to see if telecommuting is an option. Call centers; in particular, are finding that work-at-home jobs can be advantageous to their companies, as well as their employees. Since so many people would love to work at home, employers rarely need to advertise to fill these positions, and it isn't likely that you'll find them without doing some digging.