Are you thinking of working from home? Here are some of the aspects you need to consider before you take the plunge.

Before you were married, you probably had a job. After your child's birth, you decided to put your career on hold to look after the baby. After a few years, you feel you are ready to try working again. However, you do not want to leave your children in a crèche or with a babysitter for the entire day. Then, you chance upon a few 'work-from-home' offers in the newspaper. It sounds like the solution to your problems. Before you go ahead, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Create Your Resume

Getting a work-from-home job is similar to a regular job. The first thing to do is to create a resume. Make a list of your educational qualifications and prior work experience. Examine your resume and determine what kind of jobs you could apply for. If you are applying to a job that is not based on your education and previous skills, find out what you can bring to the job. Ask yourself why an employer would want to hire you.

Know Your Strengths, Constraints, and Interests

It is important to find a job that is suited to you. Even if it is something new, you should feel as if you are interested in taking this type of job. Before you apply for a job, take note of the soft skills you will require for it. For example, if you are looking at a customer service position, the prerequisites are a pleasant voice and the ability to speak clearly. Another factor is to see if the job meets your needs. Are the working hours flexible enough? Does the pay scale seem acceptable? These are big factors involved in choosing a job.

Be Realistic

One mistake people tend to make is to have unrealistic expectations about the job. As work-from-home opportunities are primarily part-time, the money in it may be slightly lower than those for a full-time position. Also, you will have to build up your credibility as an employee once again. This can be a difficult prospect if you are used to a high salary and had a senior position at your previous company. The bonus is that you will have flexible working hours and you do not have to be away from your children.

Be Honest in Your Applications

It may be tempting to embellish your resume with a few incorrect facts but avoid doing so. You will be discovered eventually. Not only can this get you fired from your job, but also, it may get you blacklisted. This may cause you to lose your credibility and make it harder for you to find another job.

This also extends to your working constraints. For example, stay away from jobs that require a faster internet connection than the one you already have. You will be unable to keep up with the workload. The same thing goes for a job that demands a distraction-free environment. If your children are going to be around while you work their playing and constant chattering will make for a noisy background.

Recognise the Need for Childcare

Working from home can be very demanding, especially for women. They often neglect to factor in the time they will need to spend taking care of their children. If you are working only for two or three hours a day, you can squeeze in the work between your children's naps and playtime. However, if you need to work for five or six hours, it becomes more difficult to set a schedule.

At such times, you may need someone else to watch over your children. It is perfectly okay to have a babysitter for those few hours while you work. The advantage is that you are available in case an emergency arises. In addition, you can be sure that the babysitter is actually doing her job.

Working from home is more than a job. It involves a lot of your time and energy. Consider all aspects before you go ahead and start your new job.