Network Your Way To A Work At Home Job
When you first start to look for a work at home job, it's easy
to get discouraged. Postings for work at home jobs can be scarce
and when they do come up, competition among applicants is
fierce. What many moms new to telecommuting don't realize is
that there is another way to land a work at home job -
Networking. Many people get their work at home jobs either
directly from or as a referral through other people they network
with. When you are networking, you are not actively pursuing a
work at home job. Your main focus should be on making new
friends in the Telecommuting community. Down the road those
friends may send you a lead for a great job, but first you have
to make those friends. Let's take a look at four different ways
to network in the Work at Home Community. Message Boards Message
boards are a great way to network with other telecommuters.
Spend your time asking questions and answer the questions of
other people. You may not see any immediate return for the time
invested in networking on the boards, but it will pay off in the
long run. If you are a person that is helpful and well liked on
the message board, and one of the other board members comes
across a position they are not qualified for, or they just don't
need the extra work at the moment, they will likely think of you
and send the lead your way (and you should do the same).
Creating those types of relationships are what you are working
to create through networking on message boards. Online Groups
One of the biggest online groups is the Ryze Network, but there
are also Google, Yahoo and MSN Groups. Each of these networks
has groups on any topic under the sun. Search for Telecommuting
groups and lurk around a few for a while. You'll find one or two
groups that seem like a good fit for you and then start
participating. Instant Messenger After you have gotten to know
some other telecommuters on the boards or in the groups,
approach them about exchanging Instant Messenger ids. You know
have a fast one-on-one way to stay in touch with them and to
further build a relationship. Local Work At Home Mom Groups
Check with your local chamber of commerce or the small business
organization to find some local offline networking events. Just
like networking in the online world, you are there to meet new
people and develop relationships with them. Some of the best
places to network online are WAHM.com - the first work at home
mom website with an active forum and of course
TelecommutingMoms.com/BB - the only message board devoted to
telecommuting moms. Head over there today and make some new
friends! Be careful not to get too wrapped up with chatting
though...it's all too easy to get wrapped up in message boards
and spend hours a day networking! So please be sure to keep a
good balance. If you network "right" you will see the benefits
of telecommuting networking!