Tips on Getting a Telecommuting Position

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At the same time, recognize that companies hiring telecommuting professionals do so not out of a sense of philanthropy; instead, they do so out of the realization that telecommuters are the best and cheapest employees for the open positions they seek to fill. Employers consider the savings associated with flex time and four-day work weeks when seeking out the easy to schedule telecommuters.

Like the employees who go to the office on a daily basis, telecommuters also go through a selection process. This includes the initial application process, and then the actual interview procedure. It is here that aspiring telecommuters sometimes sell themselves short, especially considering that they draw on their past interview experiences during their preparation.

The first step in learning how to interview for this type of job is the outward appearance. For a standard office position this requires a look of presentable professionalism, but for a telecommuting job it is essential that you up the ante to project an image of capable professionalism. High tech gadgetry such as a Blackberry, iPhone 4 or a GPS capable cell phone, is a must for the outward presentation of a successful telecommuter.

Employers switching over from office personnel to a staff of telecommuters want to know that they are nonetheless in control of the workforce. Further, these bosses must have confidence in your ability to meet or exceed expectations on a consistent basis. The most important interview question to anticipate when seeking employment as a telecommuter is the one which deals with the software programs you use for communicating in real time with other members of the office staff.

Beef up on your software and hardware knowledge. Consider that telecommuting positions attract the brightest and also most technologically savvy applicants. This greatly increases the need for a competitive spirit when it comes to showing off your prowess in the technological field. Learn how to edit or complete a workflow task in Outlook and other must-know techie steps.

Answering interview questions in a manner that underscores not only your competence -- but also the money-saving benefit your future boss will enjoy when hiring you -- is another key element of a successful telecommuting job interview. Express your willingness to initially upgrade software and hardware at your own expense. Remember that these expenses can be written off on your taxes at the end of the year.

If you get the feeling that you are close, but not close enough to winning over the employer, cinch the interview by expressing your enthusiasm and absolute readiness to hire on for a trial period during which you intend to prove to the hiring manager that you can do the things you claim. Assuming that you did very well on the rest of the interview for the telecommuter position, you should get an offer at this point. Telecommuting jobs are abundant these days so utilize these tips to land the position you desire.

The author has experience in the world of telecommuting.

"Computer and Screen" by Everaldo Coelho/Wikimedia Commons at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Computer_n_screen.svg (accessed May 30, 2011)