Dec 12 2008
Should You Have a Work at Home Job or a Home-based Business: Part 1
by Katharine Godbey
Choosing rather to seek a job from home or start a home-based business is an important decision. You need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each 
before deciding which fits your goals. Let’s take a look at each.
There are many companies hiring people to work from home. While some will hire, take out taxes, or even provide benefits such a 401k’s, many will require the employee to be an independent contractor. Jobs available include transcription, customer service, sales, secretarial, and many more.
Jobs at home might sound stable and more secure than a home-based business. That is partially true since it’s possible you could begin getting a paycheck more quickly than in a home-based business. However, you will need to keep “selling” your skills and talents to potential employers. By continually seeking new potential jobs, you insure there will be work available after the current project, or contract, ends.
If you have secretarial, typing, call center, customer service, or transcription skills, a work at home job may be a great option for you. However, consider your work area. Can you work without background noise? Do you have high speed internet? Call center jobs many also require a separate land-line phone, a head set, and a home office with a door. Each has their own requirements.
While some jobs may be more flexible with hours, some work from jobs will ask you to work a certain number of hours and stick to a schedule. This may include working weekends and holidays. You have to treat an at home job as if you were going to work outside the home.
So what are the good and bad about a job at home? Good: no commute, no clothing or car expense, use current skills, income sooner than home business possible. Bad: non-permanent contracts/projects, may need to develop more “saleable” skills, not always flexible, need for quiet space without pets or children afoot, income caps.
To be continued…
