Compare These Top Vendors for Home-Based Jobs

Home based jobs have become a popular trend, and many employers are happy to allow some of their employees to work from their home offices. You could also seek home based part time jobs in addition to your regular full-time job to earn extra cash.

If your job doesn't allow home based employment, you should be cautious when searching for a home based job.

1. Ask your employer if it's possible to work at home. Many companies are seeing the advantage of allowing their employees to work from home.

2. Check the integrity of any company before applying for or accepting a home based job.

3. Read any home based job contracts carefully, and make sure you understand what the company expects of you.

Don't pay money for home based job leads

Many work-at-home jobs are not legitimate jobs. Some jobs listed in the classifieds ask you to pay for information. Most of these jobs, and I use the word "job" loosely, are pyramid schemes. After you send in your payment, you'll receive an envelope filled with information on how to place a classified ad just like the one you answered.

Find home based jobs listed in legitimate venues

Answering classified advertisements isn't the only way to find home based employment opportunities. Employment agencies and online job sites list telecommuting opportunities. A telecommuting job is a great way to utilize your talents, education and experience with a job geared toward your abilities. It also offers you the options of staying home with your children and the freedom to set your own schedule.

Read between the "job ad" lines

If an advertisement offers trips, prizes and the opportunity to become your own boss, it's probably not a job. More than likely, it's a direct marketing or multi-level marketing opportunity. If selling makeup or plastic containers appeals to you, this may be a great home based work opportunity for you.

Bring it home

Many companies that use overseas employees to answer the customer service lines are reconsidering their options. After complaints from customers, more and more of these companies are offering some of their customer service jobs as home-based positions. For most of these jobs, you'll need DSL or cable Internet.

• Home based work poses challenges that working in an office environment doesn't. Set limits with your family so they respect your office space and give you the time you need to complete your work.
• If you have children, you may need to arrange appropriate childcare so you can get your work done with minimal distraction. If you don't want to place your child in childcare outside the home, hire a sitter to come into the home for a few hours a day.