How to Find a Legitimate Work-from-Home Job

How to Find a Legitimate Work-from-Home JobHow to Find a Legitimate Work-from-Home JobMaybe youve been toying with the idea of working from home for years. But after seeing countless news reports on the number of work-from-home job scams that are out there, youre cautious about applying for a remote position. While its estimated that only 1 out of every 100 work-from-home jobs you might see online, in newspaper, or even tacked to your local bus stop, is actually real, that still shouldnt scare you out of finding a legitimate work-from-home job- and the work-life balance it can bring.Sarah Hiner, president and CEO of Bottom Line Publications interviewed Nancy Collamer, a career coach and author of Second-Act Careers, in a video called Legitimate Work at Home Jobs. Together, they discuss how any job seeker can get a legitimate work-from-home job sans a job scam.Watch the video here, or check out the summary of tips belowBe realistic.Sure, everyone would like to work only a handful of h ours a month and earn $5,000- with no experience required. But its simply not a reality. So if the work-from-home job seems too good to be true from the job posting, Collamer says it almost always is.Network locally.One of the easiest ways to find a telecommuting job is to hit the pavement- literally. Many small and local businesses are in need of help, but might not have the space to accommodate an extra worker. By networking locally with businesses that align with your career goals and skill level, you might be able to find a position that is not only close to home, but one that you can do from home.Assess your skills. While almost any job can have some type of telecommuting component to it, some industries are more flex-friendly than others. Collamer stated that positions in fields such as sales, recruiting, translation, and writing tend to offer more work-from-home positions. Collamer recommends reviewing your skills to see which ones lend themselves to remote work.Know where to look. Savvy job seekers looking for remote work know that in order to land a legitimate work-from-home job, you need to look in areas where those types of jobs are plentiful. Using niche job search boards, such as, can help job candidates find real work-from-home jobs and expedite their job search, advises Collamer.Dont get personal.Job hunting can get frustrating. Unfortunately, the job market is full of scammers who know that all too well and prey on peoples trust and desire to find a job ASAP to rob them. So even though its been said time and again, it bears repeating never, ever release your personal information to a potential boss. You should never reveal your social security number or bank account info until after youre officially hired for a position. Legitimate employers, once they extend you an offer and you accept it, will need certain personal information to file payroll tax forms and employee paperwork.Even though there are many job scammers out there, there are an even greater number of honest employers who are looking to hire remote workers. Use caution and common sense as you continue on in your job search to find a remote job that can give you the freedom and flexibility to work on your terms.Readers, have you fallen victim to a job scam in your search for a legitimate work-from-home job? Let us know in the comments below