How to Find Legit Work From Home Jobs

Find a legitimate work-from-home arrangement with thorough research.

Nineteen million Americans work from home, according to MSN Money writer Jeff Schnepper, making telecommuting a thriving work arrangement. But the proliferation of online work-from-home scams makes it particularly difficult to filter through the empty promises and find a legitimate opportunity that is right for you. Knowing the warning signs of a questionable job posting and doing research can help you separate the good from the bad.

Instructions

1. Learn the warning signs of a work-from-home scam. According to "Entrepreneur," you should beware of companies that offer high returns and require you to have no experience. An excessive amount of high-pressure advertising is also a red flag. Envelope stuffing, parts assembly, online searches, rebates processing, repackaging items or home medical billing services are all usually scams, according to the FTC, as quoted in "USA Today." Steer clear of companies that ask for money upfront. If the opportunity seems legitimate, contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

2. Read media articles to seek out companies with work-from-home programs. Although many scams will advertise fraudulently using a well-known brand, for example, "As seen on CNN," mainstream media can be a good research tool. CNN Money, for example, profiled a company in February 2010 that has a virtual workforce. The company's employees were not hired until after an extensive interview process and were not required to pay out-of-pocket for training. If you are interested in working for such a company, ask detailed questions about how you will be paid, when and by whom, and what your job duties will be. According to Better Business Bureau spokesperson Alison Southwick, scams will claim you can make money while legitimate opportunities will offer you a job.

3. Find jobs through personal referral. Speak to friends who have worked successfully from home for an organization and ask them whether they would recommend it. Do your own research into companies recommended by friends. If the company is publicly-traded, for example, its financial information will be accessible on a quarterly basis. Do your best to speak personally with a member of the organization you're considering working for. If possible, see if you can visit the company's place of business in person to determine its legitimacy.

4. Speak with recruiters. Apply for a position through an job-placement agency and specify you are ultimately looking for a work-from-home opportunity. Seek an agency that is a good match for your background and skill set; agencies may place employees in general labor positions, administrative, or specialized positions such as IT and management consulting. Offer to work on contract until the agency is able to place you in a work-from-home position or until you develop sufficient industry contacts to land the work-from-home job on your own.

References

• "USA Today"; Before Signing Up With Work-at-Home Firm, Check for Red Flags; Jillian Berman; June 28, 2010
• CNN Money; Recent Grads Finding Jobs - In Their Living Rooms; Jessica Dickler; January 26, 2011
• "Entrepreneur"; Steer Clear of Work-at-Home Scams; Brigitte Yuille; November 12, 2009
• CNN Money; A Telecommuting Pioneer's Call Center Revolution; Jennifer Alsever; February 23, 2010
• MSN Money; The Tax Traps of Working at Home; Jeff Schnepper