Top Telecommuting Options for Workers

Thanks for the comments. @Mia you can approach your supervisor with the request to telecommute. Many places will allow partial telecommuting while others are happy to let you do it as it frees up valuable real estate for them. @Lydia there are a lot of companies now where all of the employees are remote (virtual). It saves a company a fortune in overhead expenses. I think that telecommuting will become more of the norm as technology continues to advance.

In the digital age, many jobs that have traditionally been done from office space can actually be done off site. I wasn't looking for a telecommuting option when I got my first off-site job. The company I worked for launched a new project where almost all the workers were off-site and I ended up on one of those teams. So in my opinion, if you're interested in telecommuting, don't limit yourself to flex jobs websites. Do your research and look for companies with off-site projects and then research some more to find out how you can get hired.

Are there any good ways for suggesting telecommuting as an option to your current supervisor? For example, my job can easily be done by a remote connection from home and would remove a long daily commute.

My line of work involves periodic mobility. While desktops are typically more powerful for the money, I find that my laptop and my smartphone keep me adequately connected to the internet and give me the flexibility to work in places, like outdoors, where a desktop is impractical. When I'm using the computer indoors, I use a wireless mouse and keyboard and keep the laptop propped up for enhanced ventilation. By minimizing my use of the built-in keyboard and mouse, I've greatly extended the life of the laptop.

I think this article makes a great point that with the proper resources and tools, most any position can be as at least a part-time telecommuting job. That is a real win for employers giving access to a far greater talent pool than previously. Opening your sales force up to talented people across the country can make access to new markets and top level employees much more accessible.

Thanks for the comments. @William I totally agree. As a remote worker, my desktop gets used all of the time while my laptop - very seldom. Working from home I am going to be in my office, just like I would be if I worked at the company office. @Shannon just take your time and check out the company before you submit a resume. If you type the name of the company into a Google Search, you may be surprised at the results. I have found that if the company is a scam that I will see the results of that in about the first 10 results I get back from my search. Check them out on Linkedin or GlassDoor. It doesn't take much searching to find out if it's real or a scam.

I disagree that a laptop is a better choice than a desktop. You should have both. Desktops typically last longer and are more easily upgraded compared to laptops. A laptop does well in a pinch if you need to go mobile or when you go on vacation. However, a desktop is usually the way to go for home-based computing.

As a long-term telecommuter, I thoroughly enjoy the flexibility of working from home. However, especially in the beginning, it was difficult to differentiate between the reputable opportunities and the scams. Can you offer some tips on how to avoid scams that wind up wasting time and money of freelancers actively seeking opportunities?

The most fun and simplest-access telecommute I have enjoyed has been working for a content mill. I test into the skills I have, work projects as they come through and they pay me like clockwork. I highly recommend it.

Can anyone suggest some useful time management apps to help me get more done at home? I've heard of the pomodoro technique, but I'm curious about how best to apply it to my workday. Are there apps that work with both Windows and OSX operating system, and if so, how much do they cost?

Thanks for the comments. @Kellen that would be a personal preference. I am working on a desktop computer right now and that works for me so much better than a laptop or tablet. When I first started working from home I worked on a laptop so that I could get myself out of the house and still work. After awhile I realized that I probably wouldn't head out to the local coffee shop to get a change of scenery because I would get distracted with what was going on around me and not get much work done. So it's a personal preference. Only you know how you work and what is needed. @Emma nicely said. It's great when a person can work from home while still raising their family. But, running after a 2 yr old while trying to talk to a client is probably not the most professional way to do business. Just because your location may be in your home, you are still getting paid to do a job and you need to make sure that your environment is conducive for that.

Telecommuting opens up access to talent otherwise unavailable because of geography or scheduling. Stay-at-home parents, for example, are able to re-join the workforce thanks to telecommuting. They may have to work a schedule that revolves around nap times or such, but they're able to work. Personally, I get much more done when working away from the office, since there's only me to distract or interrupt myself. Besides, so much gets discussed and decided in email exchanges anyway, even when co-workers are a cubicle away.

I also think having a good laptop is preferable to having a desktop machine. Portability is important! Sometimes freelancers need to get out of the house and work from a coffee shop or library. I also think it is important to have a good smartphone! Sometimes your phone becomes your home office (ever received an important e-mail on your phone that you had to answer right away?).

Thanks for the comments. @Abbey telecommuting certainly is not for everyone as @Catherine states. As a telecommuter you are totally responsible for getting your work done. No one is going to stand over your shoulder and monitor you. No one is going to be there to motivate you, either. You must have self-discipline to be a remote worker. It's so easy to sit down at the computer and think - oh I will just play one game of CandyCrush and the next thing you know, you have wasted an hour. I found myself trying to that when I first started working remotely. For me, I found that creating a daily to-do list would keep me on track. It was readily available and I could see how much work I still had to finish before the end of my work day. That's how I motivate myself. In addition, not only do you need to be a self-motivator but you have to be a person who can work in isolation. It's tough on some days to not have that person next to me to just stop for a minute and chat or to ask a question. When you are remote and you need assistance, you have to call or email and wait for a response. There's good and bad with anything and telecommuting is no different.

I respectfully disagree Abbey. Telecommuting, although it is a good option for many people, would not be ideal for me. I thrive with in-person interpersonal relationships and communicate. Without these contacts work wouldn't be as interesting or fun. Although meetings can be held online, I just don't think they are as effective as in person meetings. Has any research been done on this?

I really love the idea of telecommuting, as it allows for more flexibility and can save both the company and the employee money. I understand it's probably not a good match for everyone, though. What are some things a person should consider before accepting a telecommuting position? What types of workers might not succeed with this working option?