The Number One Criteria for Telecommuting

The Number One Criteria for Telecommuting
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Becoming a Telecommuter

It’s a giant step for both your employer and you to work at home as a telecommuter. The “independence criteria” for telecommuting exists to make sure that employees are well suited to handle the responsibilities and challenges or working remotely. Employers want assurance that you won’t slack on the job or be less productive when you work independently, and they look for that when selecting candidates. Knowing as much as you can about how the criteria are assessed will put you in the best position to market yourself as a viable candidate for telecommuting.

Little to No Supervision

If you have a work history that demonstrates a constant need to be supervised, you won’t meet the independence criteria for telecommuting. Employers don’t want to manage you from home. They would rather do that a few yards from you. It doesn’t matter how easy it is to call, email or send you instant messages. If you require hand-holding on the job, no employer will make the monetary investment in telecommuting to do that from your home.

On the other hand, if you work well with little to no supervision, and your work history proves it, then you’re in a good position to apply for or ask to telecommute. Tell your employer that you’ve proven your independence by mastering the skills required to do your job without much help, and use concrete examples to illustrate that, especially ones that improved your company’s bottom line.

Self Discipline

Everyone at work knows who is self disciplined and who is not. Your employers do, too. They may give you surveys to fill out and conduct other forms of psychological tests, but the bottom line is that self-disciplined workers always stand out. Examination of your performance evaluations and attendance to work will present evidence either way. Whether you report to work late often also plays a role. Keeping your nose to the grindstone and meeting deadlines show a worker who has self discipline and fits the independence criteria for telecommuting.

Time Management

Excellent time management skills are key. The way that employers measure your effectiveness in time management is by measuring your productivity. The more you have a handle on your time management, the more productive you are as an employee. On the other hand, if you struggle managing your time and don’t prioritize essential job tasks correctly, you will be much less productive. Employers also measure this by the amount of time you spend surfing the Internet and checking email. Computer networks are filled with all sorts of software that allow employers to monitor each employee’s activity. If they see that you spend an inordinate amount of time online, doing other things than your job, you won’t be a serious candidate for telecommuting.