If there is one invention of recent times that has changed the way we live, it's the Internet. Not only has it brought the world closer together, but it has also blurred the line between real and virtual in spheres like education and occupation.
What seemed implausible a few years ago has become the reality of modern times thanks to the phenomenal growth of the Internet and its widespread usage in our everyday life. One of the biggest gifts of the Internet to humanity has been home-based work options. Although home-based work has been around for a while, it was pretty much restricted to simple jobs like data entry and telemarketing.
But not anymore! Not only has the Internet made it possible for some previously exclusive office-jobs to go remote, but many employers are actually encouraging their employees to telecommute now. After all, it's environmentally responsible (saves fuel used in commute) and makes perfect business sense (saves overhead costs).
Working from home also helps increase productivity by saving the time and energy required for traveling to work. Who’s going to be more productive - an employee that drives through massive traffic each day to reach work or one who has to probably just walk to his home office in the next room holding a cup of coffee? One doesn't need rocket science to figure this one out.
Beware of Scams
However, before you plunge headlong into this very attractive arrangement, it's important to distinguish between legitimate work from home jobs and scams we often see plastered all over the Internet and newspapers. Some of the things that should set the alarm bells ringing in your head include:
• Work at home jobs that promise to make you rich quick
• Work at home opportunities that advertise big money for "easy work"
• Work from home jobs that ask you to make some kind of initial payment
• Websites that promise work from home opportunities, but don’t provide proper contact information
If you just stop to think logically before letting yourself fall into their trap, you'll see through the fraud. There is no way you can get rich quick by working from home for a few hours, at least not legally. Similarly, no self-respecting employer will ask you for money to hire you. Even if they do, just consider if you want to risk handing such people the responsibility of providing you a paycheck at the end of each month.
Legitimate Home Based Work
It's good to be aware of scams that operate in the guise of work from home jobs, but that should not deter you from seekingthe opportunity to start your home office if required. Thankfully, there are several work at home occupations that are legitimate and respectable and require specific skill sets. A lot of jobs that allow telecommuting were traditionally performed from an office space, but technology has made it possible for such tasks to be completed from a remote location.
Medical transcription, which involves transcribing doctor dictations into ready to use patient records, administrative documents or correspondence material, is one of the most popular and reliable work at home opportunities. However, one typically requires formal medical transcription training for this job just as they would for any other honorable occupation.
Medical transcription training is available at career schools and colleges. Many such training programs are delivered fully online, which lays perfect ground for starting your home office as it will get you into the habit and discipline of working from home.
Other legitimate work at home options include professions like medical billing and coding, virtual assistance, web development, graphic design, content marketing, freelance writing to name just a few. In fact, one would go so far as to say that if most your work is done using a computer in office, then it can very well be done from home!
Nancy is a 35-year old stay at home mom of two. She worked as a medical assistant for five years before taking a break to be with her children. Her experience as a medical assistant gave her valuable insights in to the medical transcription industry, which she likes to share with others through her writing. Medical transcription training often finds mention in her writings. Being an SAHM, Nancy is a huge exponent of online vocational training programs that provide women like her the power to be their own boss.