| If you're a stay-at-home mom, a virtual job can | | | | be asked to edit reports and other documents, |
| help you find that balance between raising a family | | | | create spreadsheets, or update web pages. |
| and earning a steady income. Moms who want to | | | | Work-from-home customer service positions |
| contribute financially to their family while taking | | | | require prior customer service experience in many |
| care of their children can find work as virtual | | | | cases. Because you will be answering customer |
| assistants, customer service representatives and | | | | questions, taking reservations, and processing |
| telemarketers. Home-based positions tend to be | | | | orders, you need to have excellent typing and |
| more flexible and allow you to create a schedule | | | | data entry skills. You should also be able to talk to |
| around the schedule of other activities. | | | | customers easily and be able to problem solve |
| Working from Home | | | | quickly in order to maintain quality customer |
| In order to work from home, you need to be | | | | service. If you enjoy helping others and are able |
| able to dedicate enough hours each day to | | | | to maintain a professional demeanor in any |
| complete a shift or accomplish all daily tasks | | | | situation, this position may be for you. |
| required. If you have small children, you may need | | | | At-home telemarketing positions are best for |
| to hire a babysitter or consider daycare options | | | | those who feel comfortable speaking with others |
| so you aren't distracted during your shift. Many | | | | and selling goods and services over the phone. |
| companies have specific criteria that require | | | | Some companies prefer hiring employees that |
| employees to work in a quiet environment in | | | | have sales or telemarketing experience, but |
| order to better serve their customers. | | | | others are willing to train the right people. |
| For most work-at-home jobs, you will need a | | | | Other virtual positions include appointment setting, |
| computer, Internet connection, dedicated phone | | | | reservation services, concierge services, and help |
| line, and other items including a printer, fax | | | | desk services. |
| machine, or transcription equipment. When | | | | Where to Find Virtual Jobs |
| applying for a virtual position, you should ask if | | | | There are many places to look when trying to |
| special equipment will be needed. You may have | | | | find a virtual job. Paid online classifieds (and a few |
| to attend on-site training for a week or longer to | | | | free classified sites like Craigslist), job boards, and |
| learn how to use special equipment or to learn | | | | company websites are some of the best places |
| more about the company's customer service | | | | to look. If you're interested in starting a virtual |
| procedures. | | | | assistant service, you should ask former |
| Types of Virtual Jobs Available | | | | employers, former co-workers, place an ad in |
| Depending on the job experiences and training | | | | trade newspapers or local newspapers, and join a |
| you already having, obtaining a work from home | | | | small business group in order to meet people who |
| position may be easier than you think. Virtual | | | | may be in need of your services. |
| secretary jobs are best for those who have | | | | When you find a virtual position that interests |
| worked in business administration or those who | | | | you, sending a professional resume either by mail |
| have typing and other office skills. You can start | | | | or email will make a great first impression. The |
| your own virtual assisting business, or you can | | | | competition for virtual positions can be tough, but |
| work for a virtual assisting service. Common job | | | | if you approach your search in a professional |
| tasks include typing documents, transcription, | | | | manner, you should be able to find a few potential |
| email monitoring, meeting planning, event planning, | | | | employers in a short amount of time. |
| and maintaining business calendars. You may also | | | | |