How to Become a Work at Home Customer Service Agent

Working from home sounds like a great way to make money and save on expenses. However, finding a legitimate company with a true work-at-home opportunity is difficult. In fact, there are many companies that offer customer service positions from home. These home-based opportunities pay $8 to $12 per hour and several of them have an added commission potential. The hourly and commission-based opportunities require some sales but the companies provide plenty of training.

Things You'll Need

• High Speed Internet Connection
• Wired Phone
• Phone Headset
• Quiet Office Space

Instructions

1. Start by running searches for home-based customer service opportunities. There are more than 25 different companies that have these position available. Some of the more popular companies are: West Communications, LiveOps, Alpine Access, Cloud10 Communications, Convergys, Brighten Communications, and VIPDesk. This list should get you started.

2. Choose one of the companies from your research. They all have different pay and schedule options. You can work by the hour or by the minute of talk time. If you are on the phone constantly you will make more money being paid by the talking minute. However, if the call volume is low then hourly pay is a better option. Some companies offer a higher hourly wage if you agree to a recurring schedule. Apply to the company or companies that you have selected. The process will be the same as applying to any other job opportunity. Several of the companies will require you to take a test to establish your basic knowledge of computers. Some companies also require a personality test as well. Once you have taken the test it will take approximately one week or longer to receive any feedback.

3. Once you have applied, create your home office environment. The companies require a quiet room in your home that is free of interruptions and distractions. If you do not already have one, have a land phone line installed. The line cannot be equipped with extra services such as call waiting, three way calling, or voice mail. The services may interfere with the SoftPhone interface. You cannot use a digital or Voice-over-Internet connection for these positions. Purchase a headset for your phone so that you can talk and type at the same time.

4. Get a high speed internet connection if you don't already have one. Situate your computer, in your home office, close to where the phone is located. Your computer will need to be connected directly to the high speed internet connection. You cannot use any form of wireless connection. You will need to ensure that your computer's anti-virus and spyware software are current. The company will walk you through a computer requirements test. At this point you will be ready to work.

5. When you get an email from the company informing that you have been selected for employment you will be able to begin training. Most companies pay minimum wage for training.

Tips & Warnings

• Your office space should be a room with a closed door rather than in an open area. You can be terminated for excessive background noise.