Step 5:  Search For Jobs & Submit Your Resume And Cover Letter To The "Right" Companies

Now, here's where the real work begins -- time to put the "job" in job search.  :o)

In fact, that's just how you should view your search.  If you're not currently employed, you should consider your job search to be your full time job.  Why?  Because the more time and effort you put into your search, the greater your chances will be for quickly locating and landing legitimate home-based work that will put money into your pocket.  Like anything else in life, the more you put into it, the better your results.

If you ARE currently employed, and you like your job, your best bet will be to first try to convince your boss to allow you to telecommute.  If you've already established a favorable reputation with your employer, and if your job lends itself to telecommuting, convincing your boss may be easier than you think.  Visit Convince Your Company To Let You Telecommute, for information and resources to help you develop a strong proposal.

However, if you are in the market for a new job, be sure to keep these points in mind as you conduct your search:

• No legitimate employer will ask you to pay a fee as a condition of hiring you to work as an employee of the company.  
  
  Remember, if the ad or Web site uses the words "employment," "hire," "employee," and/or "job," and charges you a fee of any kind, it's not a REAL job.  

• The vast majority of jobs that offer telecommuting prefer that prospective employees live locally.  Unless you're desiring and/or willing to relocate, you may have more favorable results if you focus your search on jobs local to your area.

• Don't focus your search efforts on one search option.  The more options you use, the greater your chances will be not only for finding the type of work you are searching for, but for finding it more quickly.  For example, you might consider focusing your efforts on one or two options on a given day of the week. 
  
  (Perhaps Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays you might focus on searching job boards and networking, while on Tuesdays and Thursdays you'd research opportunities posted on the flexible work sites recommended below.  Employing a variety of options will also break up the monotony or routine of your search.) 

• Remember to track all details of your search. Tracking will help you to stay organized and focused.  (See Organizational Tools)

From the assessments and exercises you completed in Step 1 and Step 2, you have identified the types of jobs you're looking for.  

Your next task is to search for companies and jobs that fit what you want to do.  The Internet is an invaluable tool for helping you to conduct an expedient and productive job search.  Your challenge, however, will be in your ability to separate the legitimate offers of home employment offered by real companies from the "home employment" scams and hype.  But, of course, if you read the section entitled, The Truth About "Work At Home" And The Internet, as well as my report entitled, Wanted: Legitimate Home-Based Work, then you know what you should steer clear of.  

Before you get started, you may also want to check out these articles by Nancy Collamer:

Five Strategies For Finding Family-Friendly Companies

How To Find A Family-Friendly Boss

As you locate prospective opportunities, also be sure that you observe the following:

• Only apply to jobs opportunities for which you are qualified.  This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised.  As a former hiring manager, I can't tell you how often I received resumes from people who obviously weren't qualified for the position.  I'm not sure I understand why anyone would submit a resume for a position for which they are not qualified, but my advice to you is not to do it.

• Follow any and all instructions given by the hiring manager/recruiter for submitting your resume. 
  
  (While you may be tempted to disregard the employer's/recruiter's instructions, understand that it will most likely cost you an opportunity to even be considered.  If an employer has given special instructions for resume submission, they have done so for a reason -- usually to streamline their process and keep their own recruiting efforts organized.  If you fail to follow the directions given, again, as a former hiring manager, I can tell you that your actions will not place you in a favorable light.)

• If possible, follow up every submission with a telephone call (and be sure to track the details of these calls).  The purpose of your call will be to introduce yourself, to confirm that they've received your resume package, and to invite the hiring manager/recruiter to contact you should they have any questions.  This proactive step can give you just the kind of edge you'll need over your competition. 

Search Option 1:  You can visit internet job boards, and conduct your own searches using the following keywords and keyphrases:

When you conduct your searches, be sure to enclose keywords and keyphrases in quotes (for example, "home job") to refine the results of your search.  To further refine your searches, include the above keywords and keyphrases in conjunction with keywords from your ideal job description.

So, for example, if you're looking for home based graphic design opportunities, you can conduct searches using the following search criteria:

telecommute+graphic design

OR

remote worker AND graphic design

As you identify potential companies, take the time to do a bit of research BEFORE submitting your resume or any other personal information.  The purpose of this research is twofold:  first, you'll want to be sure that the company actually exists and is a "legitimate employer."  When I say "legitimate employer," I'm referring to my definitions of "employment" and "job" that you read in The Truth About "Work At Home" And The Internet.  In other words, make sure that the job listing is not a "business opportunity in disguise," or some other home employment "opportunity" or "program" that requires a fee.

Also, remember what you learned when you read Wanted: Legitimate Home-Based Work.  If the only contact information provided is a free email address, it will probably be in your best interest to keep moving.  

If the listing appears valid, visit their Web site (and read EVERYTHING) to learn more about them and to gather additional contact information.  Again, refer to the "Wanted:" report as you evaluate the legitimacy of the company (if the company is unknown to you).

You can also use the following resource to help you conduct your research:

Researching Companies Online
(Tutorial written by Debbie Flanagan -- includes tons of resource links)

The second reason you'll want to conduct a bit of research on each company is to help you prepare for your interviews.  Why is this important?  Because the focus of the interview IS NOT you, but rather, about how hiring you will benefit the employer.  

Let me say that again.  The focus of the interview IS NOT you, but rather, about how hiring you will benefit the employer.

You'll learn more about preparing for your interviews in Step 6.  For now, you can use the tutorial above to help you learn how to gather basic information about companies to which you will apply, so that you'll be able to talk about the business and how your skills and experience will enhance their operation.  Additionally, by focusing on the employer, you'll be better equipped to determine if the company will meet your needs too.

Always make sure you have your ideal job description and your answers from Step 1 in front of you as you search out possibilities.  Use them to help you stay focused in your search.  If you've spent any time on the internet, you know how easy can be to get off track and distracted if something catches your eye.  :o)

Success Tip:  Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed includes free bonus software (valued at $39.95) that queries more than 110 job sites -- at the SAME TIME -- giving you instant, free access to more than 2,976,500 jobs. This incredible software application will save you days, even weeks of wasted effort!

Search Option 2:  Remember I mentioned earlier that 85% of available job opportunities are NOT advertised?  Even more astonishing is that 80% of job seekers are fighting for the 15% of available jobs that ARE advertised.  Now, where would YOU rather be conducting your search?  Check out The Hidden Job Market Websource for a step-by-step plan for finding these "hidden" opportunities.

Search Option 3:  Submit your resume and cover letter to companies that are considered telecommuting-friendly.  And, remember, don't merely submit your resume to companies that advertise available jobs for which you are qualified.  When done correctly, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results your unsolicited resume may get!  

Success Tip:  Call the company's Human Resources Department, and get the full contact information of a recruiter or hiring manager.  Address your cover letter to this individual, and mail, fax, AND email your resume package to them directly.  By sending your package to a specific individual, you'll decrease the odds of your resume ending up in the "general submissions" pile.  You'll also get the attention of the hiring manager (which is the ultimate goal of your submission).

(If you purchased a copy of Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed, use the cover letter templates written specifically for use when submitting your unsolicited resume package to targeted companies.)

Telecommuting-Friendly Companies
A-C  |  D-I  |  J-P  |  Q-Z

Search Option 4:  Visit the following Telecommuting/Flexible Work Job Sites regularly to search and apply for any advertised opportunities.

WorkAtHomeCareers.com
My friend Eddy Theodore has been helping work-at-home seekers find legitimate work they can do from home since 1998.  His Web site among the Top 10 most visited work-at-home Web sites on the internet, and has been cited by BusinessWeek as one of the best resources for helping moms who want to work from home.  Free access to a myriad of work-at-home tools and resources.  Be sure to subscribe to his Work At Home Job Alert newsletter by sending an email to workathomecareersnewsletter-subscribe
@topica.email-publisher.com
or visit: http://www.WorkAtHomeCareers.com
/newsletter.html

PortaJobs.com
Free access to a database of telecommuting jobs (requires registration). Employers pay a fee to post jobs.

Dice.com
Free telecommuting tech jobs (click inside the box labeled "Telecommuting Only").

Telecommuting Jobs.com
($10 for a 1 year subscription)

Workaholics4Hire.com
Free access to a database of hundreds of exclusive telecommuting jobs.

Womans-Work.com
Free access to more than 25,000 REAL professional flexible jobs, including telecommuting/telework, job share, etc.  This is an amazing resource!

2Work-At-Home.com
Free information, resources, and access to telecommuting jobs.  Sign up to have new job listings delivered weekly.

Dot Com Mommies
Subscribe to Stacy's free newsletter to have current telecommuting jobs delivered bi-weekly to your e-mail box.

Telecommuter Magazine Online
Free resource - user developed and supported.  Lots of great resource links to many telecommuting job sites.

Search Option 5:  If you have transcription skills and experience, you should submit your resume to the companies listed in Home-Based Clerical & Transcription Employment.

More Options:  In addition, here are a few more ideas you can use to locate available opportunities:

1. Register on the job Web sites appropriate for your interests and industry.  See the lists of Job Boards in the Employment Links section of this handbook (remember to keep in mind the resume posting advice above).  

2. In addition to Internet research, ask friends, relatives and business associates for suggestions on possible opportunities (and have them spread the word on your behalf to others they know).  

3. Search newspaper classifieds for job listings.  Again, be sure to look for the warning signs of possible scams. 

4. Read articles in trade magazines or newspapers that identify companies in your area or in your desired industry that may be hiring.  Visit their Web sites (if they have one) to learn more about them and any current opportunities).

5. Check for job listings with your state's Unemployment office or job center.  Many state offices offer public access to computer databases containing available jobs. 

6. Join a job club or local networking group in your industry.  Many professional organizations have job listings, groups or resources to help people connect.  Some churches, volunteer and community organizations also have job listings or resources. 

7. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce to see if they have business directories or resources for identifying companies that fit your criteria. (You can also join and attend their meetings -- these are great networking opportunities.  Remember, don't limited yourself to searching only for advertised jobs -- tap that hidden job market!).

8. Register with recruiting agencies in your area for current open positions, and follow up regularly.  Developing a rapport with one of the recruiters can result in your being notified immediately when new opportunities become available.