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Landing a telecommute position isn't easy. Finding them in
the first place is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Then, when you finally do find
one that looks promising, it's filled before you can even click on "apply for this
job".
Why are they so few and far between anyway? Don't employers realize the benefits of
allowing their employees to telecommute; less sick time, increased productivity, lower
overhead, and so forth? |
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The truth is that you'd be surprised to know just how many companies do
hire telecommuters. Most of them simply don't want to advertise those openings on the
Internet.
But it's not all bad news. There are three very important rules that you should follow
when pursuing a telecommute job. If you do, your chances of getting hired will be much
greater. If you break them, your chances are about as good as winning the lottery.
Rule #1: Don't apply to positions that you aren't qualified for.
As the owner of 2Work-At-Home.com, I spend a great deal of my time trying to convince
employers to post their telecommute job openings on our site. That's no easy feat either,
and I'll tell you why: Most of them have to be convinced that there are quality applicants
visiting our site.
One of the most common reasons employers give for not posting their telecommute listings
on the Internet is that people who are not at all qualified for the opening apply for
them.
Put yourself in the recruiter's shoes. You need to hire a person that can translate a
company's training manual into German. So, you post your listing for a German Translator
and specify that you're looking for someone who is fluent in English and German.
Your listing goes up and BAM! You're immediately flooded with responses. As 237 messages
are downloading, you marvel at the number of people who are fluent in German. As you start
opening the messages, your excitement turns to annoyance when you see your first three
responses:
"I can't speak German, but I'm a fast learner."
"Dear Recruiter, A solid background in Widget Sales makes me the perfect candidate
for your position."
"Send Info"
Nobody likes to waste their time, and when a recruiter posts a listing and only gets 1 in
100 responses that are worth looking at, it's counterproductive for them.
I know for a fact that some of our site visitors go through the job listings and
methodically apply to every listing in the database, no matter what the position is.
This "throw your resume at every employer and hope one sticks" approach not only
makes the applicant look desperate, but it gives the entire telecommute job-seeking
community a bad name. It also brings us to the next Rule...
Rule #2: Follow the application instructions.
One company had posted a listing with us that contained specific application instructions.
Recently, their listing expired. When she chose not to renew, I asked her why and this was
her response:
"You really, really need to instruct these folks on how to follow directions, write
cover letters, apply for jobs. They're lost. So, please, don't bring any more my
way."
Now, that's unfortunate. Here is a company that has telecommute openings, but you won't
see them advertised because it's easier for them to just hit the pavement and do their
recruiting the old fashioned way.
If a listing has specific instructions on how to apply, follow them. If you don't, then
the first impression you are giving to your prospective employer is that you don't follow
directions.
Even if there are no specific instructions, you should always apply in a professional
manner, which brings me to Rule #3..
Rule #3: Always behave in a professional, courteous manner.
Believe it or not, I recently had a complaint from both a company and an applicant when a
correspondence over a job opening had escalated into threats and mud slinging.
It all started when the applicant sent an email to the employer that stated, "Send
Info" and nothing more.
This is a common occurrence. While it may seem perfectly acceptable to ask for details,
usually those "details" are in the job listing itself. A response to a listing
should be an application. If you want to ask for more information, the interview would be
the appropriate time. Chances are, if you can't apply without getting more information
it's due to one of two scenarios: -The listing is really, really vague (and so most likely
a scam). -You're not qualified for this position (if you're not sure if you're qualified,
then you probably aren't).
Unless an employer states that they don't want you to submit a resume, you should always
send your resume with a cover letter.
The cover letter should be tailored to the position, not a generic version. This may mean
that you have to do a little digging, call the company, etc. but it really does make an
impression. It shows that you are really interested in their company, that you're
resourceful and that you are professional.
Your resume should be up to date, thorough and professional. Have it done by a resume
service if possible. It should not contain personal information such as height, weight or
a health history. These things have nothing to do with your qualifications and don't
belong on a resume.
Another thing to leave out of a resume is an explanation of why you want to work at home.
This is something I see in many of the resumes posted in our database. Not only is it
unprofessional to include this type of information, but more importantly- employers don't
care.
What they do care about is whether or not you have the skills and experience needed to do
the job and why they should hire you.
Home-based positions are rare indeed. Competition is very high, so you must present
yourself as the best possible candidate right from the start. Following these basic rules
will give you a much greater chance of snagging that much coveted telecommute position.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sharon Davis is the owner of 2Work-At-Home.Com, the Editor of the site's monthly ezine,
America's Home and mom to two girls. In her spare time she reminisces about what it was
like to have spare time. To subscribe to her free ezine, visit http://www.2work-at-home.com/subscribe.shtml
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