While stumbling around the classified ads online one day, I found an ad posted by a transcription company looking for people to work from home. This was not medical transcription, mind you, but “general” transcription. That means that no medical knowledge is necessary. Instead, they required good spelling and grammar skills. Hey, I can do that! I wound up applying and bugging the crap out of them, but they did not hire me. Still, that got the mouse spinning the wheel, and I began searching online for other transcription companies. I now have three contracts—two transcription and one data entry.

I was so thrilled at the discovery of all these legitimate jobs out there that I have spent the past few months telling everyone I know to check it out. There are loads of jobs, in a number of different fields. I can speak more about what I have experience with, but I can at least say that there is something out there for everyone. There are researching jobs, transcription jobs, data entry, virtual assistants, taking incoming calls, IT and other technology-related jobs, and tons more. There is work in the medical, legal, and financial arenas. There is work requiring no experience and no previous training (though they pay less and may be more competitively sought by others). You’ll just have to look for yourself to see just how much is out there.

The one site that I found my jobs on, and that I highly recommend, is www.wahm.com. The message board alone contains a wealth of information—it will probably take a few days to dig through just that, and the rest of the site has articles, job listings, and other useful information. Don’t be daunted by the size of the site. Go to the forum, and read through the sections that interest you. Find out what you feel you would enjoy doing and would be most qualified for. To work taking incoming calls, you will need a landline and certain hours of quiet—do you have that? It’s things along those lines that you will have to consider when you do your research.

Another website to look into is www.guru.com. You do not have to pay for job listings. I have a free membership and receive job notifications all the time, but you will be limited in what you can do unless you pay. For the record, I have not gotten any contracts through that site, but I know of other folks who have.

Here are some things to consider if you are going to pursue this route:

· Do you have the self-discipline to work from home? It’s obviously pretty easy (and sometimes tempting) to blow off work in order to do something else around the house.

· Each field of work is going to have its own set of factors that you will have to take into consideration. For example, for call center work, you will most likely need a landline and set hours of absolute quiet to take calls. You may have to purchase software or equipment, such as a transcription pedal. Again, do as much research as you can to find what suits you, your situation, and your skills.

· Once you have found something that appeals to you, do up a resume. Think about all the other people who have seen the same job listing. You’re going to want to do something to make yourself stand out. A well-done resume can do just that. Some companies will actually ask for a resume. Also, you may find yourself filling in numerous job applications. Having a resume to just copy the information on saves you from having to go, “Hmm, when did I work there again?” a million times.

· If you work a “regular” job and you are trying to transition to a position from your home, I would imagine taking that plunge is a huge and iffy thing. I can’t personally attest to it, since I am a stay-home mom and student. I was looking to supplement our current income, not replace it. I would suggest making sure that you have certain, steady work (duh) and reading what other people have to say about it.

· Don’t forget your taxes. If you are an independent contractor, you will be responsible for your own taxes. That might include prepaying—be sure you check into it to avoid trouble down the line.

WAU NC