Where to Find Work at Home Jobs

Where to Find Work at Home Jobs

Working from home can be a great option if you have the motivation to get started and stick with it.  If you have the will to make yourself sit down and work, even when it’s the last thing in the world you want to be doing, then the first challenge to overcome is where to find a job.  You know where you’ll be working, but what will you be doing? 

What Type of Work Suits You?

Before you delve into the process of finding a job, you must first decide what you’ll be doing from home.  Will you be working online or offline?  Are you going to be selling products or services?  You have to decide what your market will be before you decide where to find the demand for your supply.

If you're still uncomfortable with this decision, check out our post on Making Work from Home Work for You:  The Basics. Don't be in a rush to get started. Time spent preparing can save you a lot of heartache down the road.

Finally -- If you’re not sure what direction you’d like to go, or you would like to be your own boss but are afraid to fly solo without some direction, take a look around. Find other people in your town or online who are working from home in jobs you think you might like. Take time to interview them about how they got started -- it might lead to an internship or apprenticeship, or maybe even a partnership!

Where To Look

First of all, remember that when finding a work from home job, you will most likely need to be proactive in your search.  Put yourself out there; don’t just wait for someone to snatch you up.  For instance, use your current classifieds to place an advertisement instead of just looking to see if anyone has already posted a want add for your service or product. 

If your local grocery store or library has a bulletin board, print up some professional looking fliers and post your advertisement there, as well.  If you can afford it, call your local radio station and see if you can get an ad block.

Never overlook word-of-mouth, either.  (However, a word of caution with that statement: Do not start a business thinking that your family should be your jumping off point.  This will only cause guilt and frustration, which are probably not two goals in your work from home fantasy.)   Always remember that your first clients are extremely important.  You’ll want them to mention you to their inner circle in a very positive light.  Never let one of your first customers walk away with a bad impression of you.  The negative will spread faster than the positive.

Some sites that can help you get started on your search include:

Making Contact

As long as you have a professional looking resume, cover letter, and maybe even a business card or three, don’t be afraid to approach a prospective lead. Network, network, network. Working from home is like any other job -- making contacts and meeting people is what will give you the inside track into great opportunities.

If you want to work online as a writer, for instance, contact a website or blog and ask if they would like a contributor.  If you want to open a daycare, go to a local children’s clothing store and tell them about your business.  They may be able to help spread the word and advise you of anyone who may be interested.  If you’re going to be a gunsmith, inform your local sporting goods store that you’re available for customers.

With this, though, comes another word of caution: be discreet and respectful.  Some places do not allow solicitors.  So if, for instance, you want to post a flier up in the window of that clothing store, be sure to get the manager’s permission.  Also, do not hand out your business cards to shoppers like candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween.  You could be made to leave the store, and you’ll probably lose more credibility than you will ever be able to get back.  Only approach the manager with the information, not their customers.

You are a business, so act professional, and don’t take it personally if someone declines your services or products.   Unless you are acting unprofessional, if they decline, it is not a reflection of you as a person.   Those refusals in the beginning can be of great value to you.  Always ask your potential customers why they declined your offer.  This will help your business grow and evolve in a positive manner.

Getting Out There

These are just a few of the many steps you can take toward building a work at home endeavor. Each job search is really dependent upon what services or products you'll be offering.  Just as with anything in business, you really need to create a plan that fits you, your clients, and your business.  Hopefully, after reading this post, it should get your mind flowing, and you can tweak the advice to fit your specific needs.

Be sure to check out our other posts in this Making Work From Home Work For You series!

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Dagmar Bleasdale's picture

Dagmar Bleasdale wrote:

Thu, 12/16/2010 - 15:09 Comment #: 1

Hi, thanks for visiting my blog and recommending my Holiday Gift Guide!

I work from home. Decided many years ago that I wanted to work for myself and went from being a paid subtitle editor to being a freelance proofreader, editor, and now social media consultant. I couldn't be happier to be able to work from home (or the local coffee shop :).

Happy Holidays,
Dagmar
Dagmar's momsense

Jessica Schmeidler's picture

Jessica Schmeidler wrote:

Thu, 12/16/2010 - 18:28 Comment #: 2

Dagmar,

Thanks for stopping by. Working from home has turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made for myself, as well. My path was a little different than yours, but that's what's so exciting about making the decision to be your own boss. You get to implement your own suggestions. :) No two paths to working from home are identical, and I love that.

Jessica

Renaye's picture

Renaye wrote:

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 02:15 Comment #: 3

Great information!

I'm a bookkeeper for a small printing company, I hope to work from home someday.

Aloysa's picture

Aloysa wrote:

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 02:54 Comment #: 4

I think if one day I make enough money blogging, that would be an ideal work from home for me. Unfortunately, it is not possible now. Sometimes I think that if I work from home, I might miss people. But blogging gives me that "people fix".

Jessica Schmeidler's picture

Jessica Schmeidler wrote:

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 04:24 Comment #: 5

@Renaye: You can always dabble a little on the side. Market your skills as a virtual assistant, and see if you get any takers. You have experience, knowledge, and self-motivation. Clients can reap the benefits of your assistance without adding office costs and having someone else to supervise. Success always starts with that first step. Good luck with your goals!

@Aloysa: Just think of all the great new people you'd meet though. Nobody said working from home literally had to be from home! ;)

Forex for Profit 's picture

Forex for Profit wrote:

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 15:06 Comment #: 6

And working from home is also an excellent way out for student, who can't do full-time job. It is excellent when you can work whenever you like and have the possibility to do this.

Jessica Schmeidler's picture

Jessica Schmeidler wrote:

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 16:28 Comment #: 7

You're absolutely right, Forex. Thanks for sharing the tip!

Shaun's picture

Shaun wrote:

Mon, 12/20/2010 - 06:11 Comment #: 8

Hey Jessica,

Great post! I particularly like the picture about doing what you love, I think that this is so important in life. If you do what you love, you can make anything happen :)

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The Great Christmas Round Up wrote:

Tue, 12/21/2010 - 00:42 Comment #: 9

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Best Personal Finance & Investment Articles | Perso's picture

Best Personal Finance & Investment Articles | Perso wrote:

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 02:11 Comment #: 10

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Luisana's picture

Luisana wrote:

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 11:27 Comment #: 11

I work from home too. After my babies was born i I decided I wanted to work from home as independently. Since I come from a background of economics related domain found that is called Forex. Forex trading is a highly engaging, and interesting, but requires extensive knowledge and experience. I read a lot about What is Forex, I read guides and articles that teach how to trade in order to drive profits, I signed up for countless forums and blogs about forex, I learned all the secrets of the trade well, and all the options trade and practiced demo account. At first I invested small sums of money because I was afraid to risk what little I have, and with experience I began to earn respectable, I created my own strategies and most importantly - I make a living with dignity.

Christa Palm's picture

Christa Palm wrote:

Wed, 09/21/2011 - 17:33 Comment #: 12

Thanks for the info, Luisana! Glad you can work from home with the kiddos there!

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I Love Christmas -- Please Don't Tell My Rabbi - Fr wrote:

Sun, 11/13/2011 - 23:49 Comment #: 13

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Ultimate Guide for How to Work at Home | MomVesting's picture

Ultimate Guide for How to Work at Home | MomVesting wrote:

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 21:48 Comment #: 14

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