Working From Home - What Are The Possibilities?

While studing for a primary degree some years ago, there were a circle of intellectuals who were very excited about the possibilities that internet could bring to the workplace. It was our belief that how work was organised may benefit from what the new technology had to offer. One of the benefits discussed was the opportunity for more people to work from home. In my present life circumstances, working from home is the only option for me. However, the availability of suitable tasks is thin on the ground. The opportunities that the internet provides is being under utilised. It seems that people are reluctant to change their outmoded ways of thinking; one being that if a person is not present in the workplace that they are not really working. In any event, do you have any suggestions on how a highly educated experienced person might find suitable employment working at home. I have access to Broadband, have my own laptop, mobile and car. Suggestions appreciated

 One way would be to start your own business from home, trading or servicing via the internet. A lot of people are operating this way now. Also a lot more companies have employees working from home compared to even 3 or 4 years ago.

I just helped someone get a job last week which was home-working for 3 days per week, so they do exist if you look for them. It’s easier to find these roles via your network – maybe small businesses that need some assistance could use 1 day per week from someone working at home to do accounts, admin, marketing etc. you just need to ask around- let it be known that is what you’re after and you’d be surprised what could come up.

Join some home-workers networks on the internet, or via Linked-in. There’s an emergence of ‘virtual assistants’ job roles and networks – again, it’s about going looking for them.

You may need to be flexible enough to go into an office to learn the systems, prove your worth to the organisation for a few days/weeks, before they would let you work for them at home. Now, quite often employees who’ve been in an organisation for a number of years are being offered home-working roles, once they’ve created trust in the organisation. I’d urge you to think flexibly about this, and be ready to advertise your availability, offer adaptability on your work base, and show real commitment to finding a role (or roles) to fill your time – they are out there. Irishjobs.ie and other jobs websites may carry them, but your network is more likely to turn them up for you