Work-At-Home Customer Service Jobs

Not only is customer service is one of the fastest growing work-at-home jobs, but it also has one of the brightest outlooks. Companies looking to save money are setting up home-based employees to help with order taking and support services in record numbers. These companies range in size and scope including airlines, mail order businesses, and technology companies.

The advantage to customer service jobs is that they don’t necessarily require experience. That doesn’t mean that they don’t require skills or equipment. It also doesn’t mean you can simply sign up and answer phone calls. But you don’t need an advanced degree or years of corporate experience to get hired in customer service.

The hours in a customer service job can vary. Some will require full-time work during regular work hours. Most offer part-time hours and some need people to work late shifts and/or weekends. Many will allow a flexible schedule, but most will want its agents to have a set schedule.

The pay can vary as well. Some pay as little as $8 an hour while some pay more. If sales are involve, sometime employees will pay commissions and bonuses as well as a set hourly fee. If you have experience in customer service work you’re likely to get paid more. Some provide benefits, but most categorize employees as an independent contractor. This has some advantages as an independent contractor is able to deduct work-related expenses such as a new phone headset as well as portions of your home expenses for having a home office.

To get a customer service job, you’re going to need to meet some requirements:

1. While some customer service jobs require some previous experience, most simply require a pleasant voice and a calm temperament (customer service also means handling complaints).
2. You’ll likely need a second phone line and/or high-speed internet access. Satellite may or may not be accepted. Dial-up is almost always not considered.
3. A headset for your phone is highly recommended.
4. A quiet place to work. Customer service work may not be ideal if you have small children or noisy pets unless you can make arrangements for them.
5. Some require on-site training while others can train you vie phone and Internet.
6. Quality application or resume is needed to set yourself apart from other applicants. You can do this by doing background research on the company and industry, and include the information you gather in your resume. If the company is a national flower delivery chain and you used to work in a floral shop, mention it in your application and use the same terms that flower people use.

Customer service jobs can be found on the major job search engines and many telecommuting job databases. But like any other work-at-home job, you need to do your due diligence to weed out the scams. Any company that asks you for money to get hired is a scam. The only exception is that some customer service companies will pass on the expense of a background check to the potential hire. However, they don’t usually ask for this unless you’ve made it through the initial screening and are being considered for hire.

Customer service work from home is expanding making it a great option for pursuing a home-based job. But before you start submitting your application, make sure you meet the requirements and have a quality resume that will get you the job.

Customer Service Jobs

Here are some places that are frequently taking applications for customer service jobs:

1800Flowers

Alpine Access

Arise

Call Center Options

Cloud10 Corporation

Convergys

Live Ops

West At Home

VIP Desk

No Cost Work-At-Home Jobs

Here is a response to a question I get all the time about work-at-home jobs.

Question

Dear Leslie,

ARE THERE REALLY NO COST HIRING? I want to either do data entry online simple ad placing or answer in bound calls. Where can I find the real thing with out paying for information?

Linda A.

Answer

Hi Linda,

The fast answer to your question is yes; there is no cost hiring. In fact, the only legitimate hiring is at no cost. However, you may have some trouble finding the work you indicated unless you have experience. Most legitimate data entry jobs I find (which is very rare) require a typing test and sometimes special equipment. I’d scratch ad placing off the list of options as I haven’t ever seen this offered as a legitimate job. In bound calls and customer service is probably your best bet but again, companies that are hiring for these jobs are looking for people with skills and possibly special equipment.

The reality of telecommuting is that you aren’t just going to sign up to work at home. Legitimate employers with home based jobs hire the same way traditional employers do. There will be an application process and possibly an interview or test. Therefore, you need to have a resume that outlines your skills and experiences in data entry and customer service. Plus it will help to have any necessary equipment such as high speed Internet, a second phone line, and phone headset.

When searching for these or any other type of telecommuting job, you need to search on job related sites. Use search terms such as “telecommute” or “work at home”. Watch out for biz ops and scams as these do get posted on job sites as well. The best way to avoid a scam or biz op is to remember that you NEVER, EVER pay to get hired.

There are some good work-at-home job databases that can be accessed for a fee. Note that you aren’t paying to get hired when you use one of these services. Instead, you are paying to access their list of job announcements. It’s like buying the newspaper to read the want ads. These services search the Internet for jobs or jobs are submitted to them for posting. The great thing about these sites is that they usually weed out the duds and list only jobs that can be done from home. But not all services are the same. Avoid places that say they have a list of companies that hire home workers. These lists are worthless because these companies may not actually be hiring. Instead the service must indicate it posts actual job announcements. Also stay away from resources that say they offer assembly work or envelope stuffing. These are known scams and any service that says they can get you job in these areas should be suspect.

To see a list of sites I like to use visit Work At Home Success’ Job Search page.

To learn how to screen for jobs and avoid scams, visit Work At Home Success Scam Alert page.

Good luck Linda!

~ Leslie Truex

WAHS Podcast #80 Telecommuting Myths and Misconceptions

This week I cover telecommuting myths and misconceptions, and what’s true about work-at-home jobs.

If you’d like to download any episode you’ll notice a new “Download MP3″ below the player. You can get the podcasts through iTunes as well.
Listen here:

You can also subscribe through iTunes.

Resources Mentioned On the Show

Asking Your Boss to Work At Home

Many people start their work-at-home job search by jumping online to search for work. But the fastest and easiest way to work at home is to turn your current job into a telecommuting situation. But before you step into your boss’ office and ask to work at home, you need to do a little research and prepare a plan.

The first step in the proposal process is to evaluate your job and company for conduciveness to telecommuting. Make a complete list of all duties and activities related to your job. Divide this list into “Can be done outside of the office” (such as typing, researching, planning etc.) and “Must be done in the office” (such as meetings and direct service).

Next, do some undercover research on your company’s openness to alternative work schedules. Do they allow flextime or part-time work? Do research into your industry. Do other companies in a similar industry allow employees to work from home? If your company and other companies like it, don’t offer alternative work schedules, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to work from home.

If you think you have a job that would allow you to work from home, prepare a Work At Home Proposal. The Work-At-Home Proposal must be written and must outline your plans as well as benefits to the company your new work arrangement will provide. Here is an outline to help.

Writing a Work At Home Proposal

Introduction:
Educate your employer on the contributions you have made to the company. If you have earned special recognition, increased productivity or improved the company in anyway, be sure to highlight it. Don’t brag but be sure that your company understands that you are a valuable asset that they can’t afford to lose. Without giving details of the hassles experienced each morning preparing to go to work, give a statement of why you are proposing an alternative work arrangement.
Benefits to Your Employer:
Educate your employer on the benefits of telecommuting including increased productivity and moral and decreased absenteeism and burnout. Detail any cost savings your arrangement may provide your employer. This may come in the form of office space or reduced benefits.
Proposed Work Schedule:
Describe the days and hours per week you plan to work at home. Indicate when you plan to start your new schedule and how long the arrangement will last.
Availability:
Establish the work hours you will be available for contact. Provide the methods (phone, fax, etc.) that can be used to contact you. Include information on how you will deal with meetings, deadlines, office activities, and emergencies.
Job Description
Outline the tasks you will be responsible for while working at home. Outline the duties you will be handling while in the office. Highlight any changes from your current work situation to the telecommuting arrangement.
Equipment
List any equipment or resources you currently have available such as second phone line, computer, manuals etc. List any equipment you would need and indicated whether or not you or the company will be providing it.
Salary and Benefits
If there is a change in your hours or duties, take these into consideration. Your company may already have a policy or you can suggest a pro-rated pay and benefits. If there is no change in your hours or duties, be sure to indicate it.
Performance Evaluation:
If your duties aren’t changing your method of evaluation shouldn’t either. Be sure to indicate how your supervisor will know of your work such as weekly reports. If your duties are different, propose how you will be evaluated. Be sure you are evaluated on easily measurable tasks such as number of reports completed. It is easy for employers to think you aren’t working if they don’t see you. Be sure they are aware of the work you complete.
Trial Period:
Supervisors may be more willing to grant your work at home proposal if you suggest a trial period. Be sure it is long enough to for everyone to adjust to the schedule and fix the kinks. Develop a method for evaluating the success of the work-at-home arrangement. Use easily measurable tasks such as increased sales or productivity.
Supporting Information:
Show your supervisor how working at home has been successful in other companies. Include statistics or articles on telecommuting. The appendix lists resources you can use to back up your claims.

Presenting the Work-At-Home Proposal

You have determined that your job may be suited to telecommuting. You have researched aspects of telecommuting and prepared a work-at-home proposal suited to your company and position. Now what? Most telecommuting expert agree, that work-at-home proposals are more likely to be considered if an in-person presentation is made. Here are some guidelines to presenting your work-at-home proposal to your boss:

• Before the meeting, try to anticipate the kinds of resistance you may receive. Be sure these are addressed in your written proposal, and be prepared to respond to them in the meeting.
• During the meeting use your proposal as an outline to your presentation. Focus on benefits to the company, not to your morning schedule, that your work-at-home arrangement will provide.
• Be sure you can convey to your boss how valuable you are. Don’t brag or insinuate quitting but, let him know that replacing you would be costly because of your hard work ethic, knowledge and experience.
• Be professional. Your boss may have lots reasons why telecommuting won’t work, let him know the research shows that it does work.
• Be willing to negotiate. Maybe your boss doesn’t want you to work as indicated in your proposal but, would be willing to allow a different arrangement. By negotiating, you may be able get what you want later, after you have shown how well telecommuting works.
• If your boss has concerns, begin to find a way to alleviate them.
  If you boss says “no”, don’t lose hope. There are many jobs suited to telecommuting. Begin researching to find a job that will meet your needs. If your boss says “yes”, congratulations! Be sure to meet your end of the agreement and pave the way for other telecommuters!

The important thing to remember is that employers don’t offer telecommuting out of the goodness of their hearts, they do it because it benefits the company and more specifically the bottom line. So always focus your proposal on what it can do to help the company, not how it will help you.

Three Steps to Getting a Work-At-Home Job

Each week I find hundreds of work-at-home job announcements from companies looking for qualified employees to hire. Despite the abundance of work-at-home jobs, millions of people who want a work-at-home job continue to fall victim to scams and deceptive schemes. If you have been struggling to work at home, here are the three steps you must follow to be successful.

Step One: What can you do?

You wouldn’t use a search engine and sign up for the first thing that sounded good in a traditional job search; yet, so many people take this approach to finding a work-at-home job. One of the most important ideas you need to understand is that work-at-home job searches are just like traditional job searches. Employers are looking for people with specific skills and experience to fill specific jobs. You won’t simply sign up for a work-at-home job. Instead you’ll need a professional resume or application that sets you apart from the competition. All this starts by listing your skills and experiences. Don’t limit this list just to job skills. Also include volunteer experience, hobbies, and interests. Note the duties and activities your “jobs” involved and the things you’ve learned from your experiences.

Step Two: Look for jobs

Most people get in trouble in their work-at-home job search because they look for the wrong jobs in the wrong places. In Step One you learned that work-at-home jobs are no different from traditional jobs and as a result you’ve made a list of all your experiences. In Step Two you need to begin to search where employers post jobs. You can find work-at-home job announcements on job sites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com by using “work at home ” (with quotes) or “telecommute” as your keyword. You still need to watch out for deceptive job ads and scams on general job search sites. The best way to avoid them is to remember two rules: 1) never pay money to get hired and 2) never give or use your personal bank to help a company do business.

If you’re serious about finding a work-at-home job, consider using a work-at-home job database. These services are not free (you’re not paying to get hired, you’re paying for the service of having someone else screen work-at-home jobs and allowing you to access their database), but they make finding jobs fast and easy.

(See a list of my favorite job search sites below.)

Step Three: Apply, Apply, Apply

A successful job search requires creating a stellar resume or application. Remember, you’re competing against hundreds, maybe even thousands of other applicants. You’re resume or application needs to set you apart from all of them. You do that by tailoring your resume to the specific skills and experiences the employer is looking for. If the ad is for a transcriptionist to help a public speaker, share how fast you type, whether or not you have transcribed for other speakers or in the topic area the speaker specializes in. Indicate specific equipment or software you have experience with.  Fit the resume to the job and you’ll be showing the employer you’re the exact person he’s looking for.

Also, do as the application says, no more, no less. A common complaint with employers is that the applicants don’t follow the directions. Don’t try to be cute or creative. Use strong, active verbs to outline your skills instead of crazy font or gimmicks.

Finally be ready to apply to many jobs over time. Work-at-home employers are notorious for not getting back to applicants about their submissions, so you need to keep applying, following-up, finding more jobs and applying some more. Successful home-based employees find their jobs by never giving up the search.

With hundreds of employers looking for qualified home-based workers, the would-be telecommuter has many opportunities to find a job. However, like traditional jobs, work-at-home jobs are earned by showcasing skills and experiences.

Work-At-Home Job Search Sites I use:

Telecommuting Job Databases (fee required to access these services)

HomeJobStop has over 100 jobs in clerical, and more in customer service, writing, transcription, miscellaneous plus 100’s of others. Very affordable.
VirtualAssistants has 100′’s of Secretarial/General jobs plus 100’s more in other categories. Little more expensive but offers more jobs.

Free job search sites (you need to search by keyword to find work-at-home jobs on these sites. Screen for scams and schemes. Visit the Scam Alert page for tips on how to avoid scams.).

Monster.com
Beyond.com
CareerBuilder
Job.com
CraigsList.org

Frustrated by Your Work-At-Home Job Search?

I get emails daily from frustrated job hunters who are struggling to find work. I know this frustration, disappointment, and stress first hand as I have experienced it as well. Indeed, frustration and disappointment are two of the biggest hurdles struggling work-at-home wannabes face. But there are some things you can do to help deal with the challenges in trying to find a work-at-home job.

1) Have realistic expectations: We live in a society focused on instant gratification, but the odds of deciding to work at home today and actually doing it tomorrow are slim. It can take 6 months to 2 years to find a work-at-home job depending on your skills, experience, and how often you search and apply. Not only do you need to be realistic about the time frame in reaching work-at-home success, but you also need to choose realistic methods. People don’t pay the mortgage doing surveys or reading email. Neither do they simply sign up for something and make money. Working at home takes work. Lots of it!

2) Do your research: The best way to develop a realistic expectation related to working at home is to educate yourself about telecommuting. Research will teach you what it takes and how long it takes to really work at home, help you avoid scams, and keep you focused on the right types of activities. There is tons of FREE information here at Work-At-Home Success. Read it. Use it!

3) Look for opportunities that fit your skills and interests: Too many people look for the fast, quick buck and end up wasting time and money as these opportunities almost always turn out to be scams or deceptive schemes. Instead, make a list of all your skills, experiences, interests and hobbies, and search for jobs that fit what you know how to do. You’re more likely to be successful pursuing your passion than the money.

4) Evaluate your efforts: If you aren’t getting results from a job search have someone look over your resume, and make sure you are qualified to do the job. If you have the qualifications, make sure your resume highlights that. Increase your chances of getting hired by tailoring your resume to fit each job you apply to.

5) Keep on keeping on: I haven’t met anyone that hasn’t spent a great deal of time and effort to work at home. The one thing that separates them from others who aren’t successful is that they never gave up. They kept learning about working at home, searching and applying for the right opportunities, and evaluating their efforts until they finally reach their goal.

There is a saying about the only certainties in life are taxes and death. In the work-at-home world, there are some certainties as well and those are that you’ll be frustrated and disappointed. But these are temporary if you are able to manage the difficult times and forge ahead towards your goal.

Work From Home Job Search

If you have read the about Telecommuting here at Work-At-Home Success, you know that people who work at home in jobs do much of the same types of work as everyone
else. What they don’t do is stuff envelopes, assemble doll houses, or “process email.”

In your work-at-home job search, you have probably found many scams, but not much in the way of legitimate work-at-home jobs. Well, your luck is about to change. Below you will find instructions on how to search for work-at-home jobs and some sites on which to do your search.

Don’t forget to sign up for WAHS Jobs and News (at the right) as well as the daily job posts for new job posts every week.

Directions for Telecommuting Job Searches

1. Click on the job search links below.
2. Be sure to register so you can get the full list of search results.
3. Read the directions for each specific site.
4. Use keyword “telecommute” to conduct your search on general job search sites. Leave the other fields (location and industry) to “all” to get all possible work-at-home job announcements. Other keywords include “work at home” (with the quotes), and “freelance”.
5. Read through the many job opportunities listed to find those that interest you.
6. Apply following the employer’s directions.

Job Search Sites

The best sites for work-at-home jobs are the telecommuting databases, which are not free. However, I have tested the ones listed below and can assure you they offer good
resources of jobs. If you are really serious about finding a legitimate work-at-home job, I believe these are the best resources for you. However, if you aren’t sure or are just
starting your search, use one of the free general job search sites (follow the directions above) listed below.

Telecommuting Job Databases

• HomeJobStop has over 100 jobs in clerical, and more in customer service, writing, transcription, miscellaneous plus 100’s of others. Very affordable.
• VirtualAssistants has 100′’s of Secretarial/General jobs plus 100’s more in other categories. Little more expensive but offers more jobs.

Free job search sites (use directions above to search).

• Monster.com
• Beyond.com
• Job.com
• Yahoo! Hot Jobs
• CraigsList.org Search jobs under the city nearest you. Click on the “telecommute” option in the job search. Search other cities as well.

That’s it! Be sure to check back here regularly to see what new job search sites have been added. Also, search all the sites on a regular basis. New jobs are added daily so search often.

Best Ways to Get a Work At Home Job

Despite the struggling economy, work at home opportunities continues to grow as companies discover the cost savings to allowing employees to work from home. However, job hunters looking for these home-based positions often end up victims of scams mostly because they don’t understand what telecommuting is and isn’t. The most important thing to remember about work-at-home jobs is that they are like traditional jobs; they require skills, experience and an application process to get them. There are no legitimate jobs that simply require a sign up (and a fee) to lick envelopes, process email or rebates, and handle foreign business’ money.

Here are the best ways to get a work-at-home job.

Ask your boss.

If you are serious about working at home, the only way to approach your supervisor is with a written proposal. The first step in the proposal process is to evaluate your job and company for conduciveness to telecommuting.  What duties and activities related to your job can be done from home? Does your company or similar businesses allow flexible work options?

The work-at-home proposal must be written and must outline your plans as well as benefits to the company your new work arrangement will provide. Propose a work schedule and provide

information on how and when you will be available to your employer and coworkers. What equipment will you need and who will provide it? How will your work be evaluated? Show

your supervisor how working at home has been successful in other companies by including statistics or articles on telecommuting.

Your proposal needs to focus on the benefits your working at home will be to the company. Your boss doesn’t want to hear about your morning hassles to get kids to daycare, but he’d be interested to know how working at home can save him money.

Create Telecommuting Position

I landed my current telecommuting job by sending letters of introduction along with a resume to businesses in my state inquiring if they needed contract workers in my area.

Start by sending your professional introduction and resume to companies that are already advertising for jobs in your field. In your letter, suggest a contract position and include information on how such arrangements can save the company money over hiring a regular employee.

You can also target similar businesses and industries that may not be advertising. Use your phonebook and Internet to find companies in your area or state that might be willing to contract

with you and send them your letter and resume.

Find a Telecommuting Position online

This is by far the most popular yet most difficult option. Too many people get caught up in the idea that they will be able to type; do data entry or stuff envelopes. It’s important to remember that employers are not looking for home workers. They are looking for qualified people to fill a position. It is the position they advertise and they advertise them on job-related sites. That

doesn’t mean that scams are not posted in job sites but for the most part you can be sure that work-at-jobs won’t be posted in search engines.

When you find a good job, be sure to follow the directions for applying. The biggest complaint of employers is that applicants don’t follow application instructions. Submit professional quality resumes or applications that are tailored to fit each job you apply to.

I believe everyone can work at home, but it takes research and effort. The key to success is to look in the right places, consider a variety of job options, submit quality resumes on a regular basis, and don’t give up.