If you're serious about working at home, you'll need to create a comfortable space where you can work undistracted. Whether your home office is a corner of the family room or a separate room altogether, this primer can help you get started. What follows are your home office essentials.
The Basics
Computer – While you may be tempted to pick up an inexpensive model,consider buying the best computer you can afford. It pays to purchase amodel that will last for several years than to continue to pay formultiple upgrades. Busy parents should consider a laptop for thosemoments they need portability. A small laptop can go with you to theplay room, back deck and playground.
Software – There's no way around it. If you want to work athome, you'll need the essentials. If you haven't yet installedWord, Excel and other necessary Microsoft Office software, you'llneed to do so. Most employers expect you to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint, but these programs can be expensive.
If money is an issue, visit openoffice.org and download Open Office for free. Open Office offers software alternatives compatible with the Microsoft programs. Another free program that's an absolute must is Adobe Reader. You'll need this to open PDF files. Download this at Adobe.com.
If you're not sure how to use these programs, there are plenty of free onlinetutorials to help you. The library also offers plenty of "how-to" books and tutorials.
High Speed Internet – Dial-up is no longer acceptable in today'sbusy home office. Employers want reliability and speed. Dial-up may becheaper, but it's not better. Considering how you can write off manyhome office expenses, including your Internet service, why would you usea slow connection?
Desk or work station – You don't need to have anything fancy, butyou do need to have a work area that's sturdy, holds all of yourequipment and supplies without being crowded, and allows you to move incomfort. For some people this is an old kitchen table, for others it'san entire work cubicle. Decide what will work best for your space.
Dedicated Phone Line – Depending on your line of work, you mightneed a dedicated phone line. If you will be spending a great deal oftime on the phone you'll want your own line, one family members won't beusing all of the time.
Headset – If you're going to be working a job requiring you tospend a lot of time on the phone, a headset is a must. Nowadays,headsets are lightweight, comfortable and many consist of a single piecefitting over one ear.
Comfortable Chair – If you're going to be sitting for hours at atime, you'll want a chair offering good back support and comfortableseating. A wheeled chair allowing you to move freely between stations isbest, but not mandatory.
Scanner or Fax – This too depends on your work at home job. If youfind you need to copy or send documents on a regular basis, these itemsare necessary staples. If you only need to fax the occasional contractor paperwork, it's probably more cost-efficient to visit your localcopy center.
File Cabinet – This can be a one drawer or four drawer depending onyour needs. Even if your job doesn't generate a lot of paper,you'll still need to store check stubs, receipts and contracts.
No Printer?
Notice I didn't say printer? That's because most home workers don't needone. In fact, most of us email our work directly to the client. Thatisn't to say you shouldn't have a printer for household or familybusiness, however. If you can't afford to give up spare work space,there's no shame in keeping the printer in a closet until you havesomething to print.
Keep Organized
Once you have the essentials, you can start to set up your office. Thinkcarefully about where to put each item. For instance, a bulletin boardshould be in your direct line of sight so you can see calendars andreminders at a glance. Often used office supplies work best within ahand's reach, while others can be stowed away in a drawer.
Keep your work area neat and tidy. Consider buying slotted trays andfile holders to store important papers. You'll waste less timehaving an organized work space than if you have to hunt through clutterto find paperwork.
A Quiet Space
It's best to have a door you can shut keep out the noise. Of course thisis easier said than done when working in a home with children. Afterthey are in bed however, you may need to close out the world and take afew quiet hours to work.
It's What You Make of ItYou don't need to spend thousands of dollars on the latest equipment orhave an addition attached to your house. Your home office can be anyspace where you can work comfortably and in a productive manner. Whetherthat's a card table in your basement or a 20-piece work station isentirely up to you.
By Deborah Ng
NOTE: It was not mentioned in the above article but I highly recommend installing at least 2-3 different types of antivirus/antispy software on your computer. Free versions work fairly well, but it is always a good idea to invest into one individual FULL version application,which will provide you with greater protection in the long run and employers are more apt to consider you for many projects to come. As a matter of fact, most employers do require that you have some form of an antivirus/antispyware on your computer.
Showing posts with label work from home tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work from home tips. Show all posts
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Choice: Stay At Home or Corporate Career?
One Size Does Not Fit All
Does it seem that everyone you know has become a stay-at-home mom? This must mean you should stay at home with your children too, right? Not necessarily. You know yourself better than anyone else. Will you feel fulfilled if you leave your career behind? Are you prepared to exchange daily power lunches for daily power struggles?
Be honest with yourself. If you have severe doubts about your ability to handle the challenges of being a stay-at-home mom, then don't be so quick to chuck your high heels and briefcase. Instead, consider trying the stay-at-home test.
Take your two-week vacation at home this year and get a glimpse of life as a stay-at-home mom. If you like how it feels, submit your letter of resignation. If it doesn't feel right for you, then return to work knowing that for now, working outside the home full- or part-time is the right decision for you.
It's a Family Affair Your decision affects all family members, so get their input before you cast the final vote. Invite them to a family meeting and briefly discuss the options you are considering. Ask for their opinions. This approach will put you in a much better position to make a decision you can live with, because you can incorporate their needs and desires into your decision.
Review Your Finances Family finances sometimes can make the decision for you. Your income may be needed to keep things status quo. But are you and your family happy with the status quo? Would you be more content at work if you knew you were working by choice and not necessity? Would you be willing to forgo that new minivan in exchange for an opportunity to be at home with your kids?
Take control of your life. Meet with a financial planner to see if you can whip your finances into shape. A little belt tightening here and there will put you in a much better position regardless of which path you choose.
Look for the Gray Area Some people only think in terms of black and white. You are either a full-time stay-at-home mom or you work in an office 40-plus hours a week. But look a little bit harder, and you will see shades of gray.
A number of women have chosen to keep feet in both worlds. They may work part-time, do volunteer work or even start their own businesses so they can have the flexibility they need to care for their families.
Don't Look Back It's a good idea to reevaluate your situation from time to time, because family needs change, but don't keep second-guessing yourself. You will know when the decision you made is no longer right for you and your family, and you can always make changes.
====================================================================
Article Written By Roberta Chinsky Matuson
Monster Contributing Writer
Does it seem that everyone you know has become a stay-at-home mom? This must mean you should stay at home with your children too, right? Not necessarily. You know yourself better than anyone else. Will you feel fulfilled if you leave your career behind? Are you prepared to exchange daily power lunches for daily power struggles?
Be honest with yourself. If you have severe doubts about your ability to handle the challenges of being a stay-at-home mom, then don't be so quick to chuck your high heels and briefcase. Instead, consider trying the stay-at-home test.
Take your two-week vacation at home this year and get a glimpse of life as a stay-at-home mom. If you like how it feels, submit your letter of resignation. If it doesn't feel right for you, then return to work knowing that for now, working outside the home full- or part-time is the right decision for you.
It's a Family Affair Your decision affects all family members, so get their input before you cast the final vote. Invite them to a family meeting and briefly discuss the options you are considering. Ask for their opinions. This approach will put you in a much better position to make a decision you can live with, because you can incorporate their needs and desires into your decision.
Review Your Finances Family finances sometimes can make the decision for you. Your income may be needed to keep things status quo. But are you and your family happy with the status quo? Would you be more content at work if you knew you were working by choice and not necessity? Would you be willing to forgo that new minivan in exchange for an opportunity to be at home with your kids?
Take control of your life. Meet with a financial planner to see if you can whip your finances into shape. A little belt tightening here and there will put you in a much better position regardless of which path you choose.
Look for the Gray Area Some people only think in terms of black and white. You are either a full-time stay-at-home mom or you work in an office 40-plus hours a week. But look a little bit harder, and you will see shades of gray.
A number of women have chosen to keep feet in both worlds. They may work part-time, do volunteer work or even start their own businesses so they can have the flexibility they need to care for their families.
Don't Look Back It's a good idea to reevaluate your situation from time to time, because family needs change, but don't keep second-guessing yourself. You will know when the decision you made is no longer right for you and your family, and you can always make changes.
====================================================================
Article Written By Roberta Chinsky Matuson
Monster Contributing Writer
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Work At Home Myths & Facts
Working remotely requires mobile professionals not to buy into the myths, and instead promote the reality and potential that remote work arrangements can provide. Discover the myths of remote work and how to prevent them from becoming reality.
1. Get Up When You Want
Myth: You will still be bound by the hours of operation of your work place, so thinking that you don't have to start working until noon is a very bad idea to have and an even worse practice to get into.
Fact: You rely on onsite co-workers to be available when you need them, so it's important that you are considerate of their needs. Even when traveling you must still let your office be aware of when and where you can be reached, with applicable time differences taken into account.
2. Work When You Want
Myth: Working when you want is part of the appeal of remote work. The reality is that you may be restricted to working within a specified set of hours each day. For example, some companies only have their computer system available and running for a set period each day. The system is not available beyond that time.
Fact: The hours you work should be put into any Remote Work Agreement to avoid problems
and misunderstanding.
3. Work in Your PJ's
Myth: You can work in your pj's every day or even work naked! Dress rules no longer apply.
Fact: People who get dressed properly each morning tend to have higher productivity and feel better about themselves. Some people set up a routine for themselves where they get up and proceed just as though they were going to the office.
When traveling, you may wish to wear more casual attire until you reach your destination, then
change into your suit or other appropriate attire.
4. All Play and No Work
Myth: You can spend all day playing the latest computer games or work on perfecting your golf
scores. You don't have to account to anyone for your time.
Fact: You will get found out and you could risk losing your job - not just the remote work arrangement. Save game playing for non-work time. When traveling by air or rail, play should be a last priority and only if completing any work is not possible. Think of the impression you leave with others who may see you.
5. Social Phone Calls All Day
Myth: You can spend all day talking with friends and family. You don't have to worry about co-workers trying to reach you.
Fact: Tying up your phone with personal calls may cause you to miss important work related calls. This is very true when traveling as you may not have Internet access and cannot check e-mail as often. If you use your cell phone often and for non-work related matters you will be responsible for the charges incurred.
6. Visit with Family & Friends
Myth: Spending time visiting eases isolation and is great while traveling.
Fact: Whether you are working from your home office or traveling to other locations, you should not use company time for visiting. Doing so violates the trust placed in you and shows no respect for the company that you work for.
7. Never See the Office Again
Myth: You will never have to return to the office site again, for any reason.
Fact: For some this just may be one of the biggest reasons to work remotely. You can avoid all the distractions, stay out of the politics and rumor mills. This is not realistic.
If one reason that has motivated your desire to work remotely is to get away from people in the
office, please don't broadcast that! It is in your best interest to keep quiet and just enjoy
privately that you won't have to be there.
8. Royal Treatment
Myth: You are owed and entitled to all the luxuries that hotels offer while traveling, on the company dime of course.
Fact: If you believe this, you are mistaken. You are not there for your personal pleasure and the bills are being paid by your company. Use common sense when traveling and don't go overboard with room service or other expensive activities unless you are prepared to pay for them yourself and use them on your own time.
9. Gadgets Galore
Myth: You need all the latest and greatest gadgets known to work remotely.
Fact: Use only the mobile gear that allows you to accomplish your job and that is absolutely required to do so.
Your company has a budget to follow and providing mobile workers with all the latest and greatest mobile gear can have significant impact on their bottom line.
Remember part of the appeal remote work offers company is saving money - eating the budget with mobile gear defeats that purpose.
10. Out of Sight = Out of Mind
Myth: You will be forgotten about and never receive another promotion or raise again.
Fact: Just because you are not in the office everyday does not mean you have fallen off the promotion track. With well trained managers and proper evaluation procedures in place, remote workers should have no fear of losing out on promotions because of their work environment.
==================================
Article Written By,
Catherine Roseberry, Author
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology
1. Get Up When You Want
Myth: You will still be bound by the hours of operation of your work place, so thinking that you don't have to start working until noon is a very bad idea to have and an even worse practice to get into.
Fact: You rely on onsite co-workers to be available when you need them, so it's important that you are considerate of their needs. Even when traveling you must still let your office be aware of when and where you can be reached, with applicable time differences taken into account.
2. Work When You Want
Myth: Working when you want is part of the appeal of remote work. The reality is that you may be restricted to working within a specified set of hours each day. For example, some companies only have their computer system available and running for a set period each day. The system is not available beyond that time.
Fact: The hours you work should be put into any Remote Work Agreement to avoid problems
and misunderstanding.
3. Work in Your PJ's
Myth: You can work in your pj's every day or even work naked! Dress rules no longer apply.
Fact: People who get dressed properly each morning tend to have higher productivity and feel better about themselves. Some people set up a routine for themselves where they get up and proceed just as though they were going to the office.
When traveling, you may wish to wear more casual attire until you reach your destination, then
change into your suit or other appropriate attire.
4. All Play and No Work
Myth: You can spend all day playing the latest computer games or work on perfecting your golf
scores. You don't have to account to anyone for your time.
Fact: You will get found out and you could risk losing your job - not just the remote work arrangement. Save game playing for non-work time. When traveling by air or rail, play should be a last priority and only if completing any work is not possible. Think of the impression you leave with others who may see you.
5. Social Phone Calls All Day
Myth: You can spend all day talking with friends and family. You don't have to worry about co-workers trying to reach you.
Fact: Tying up your phone with personal calls may cause you to miss important work related calls. This is very true when traveling as you may not have Internet access and cannot check e-mail as often. If you use your cell phone often and for non-work related matters you will be responsible for the charges incurred.
6. Visit with Family & Friends
Myth: Spending time visiting eases isolation and is great while traveling.
Fact: Whether you are working from your home office or traveling to other locations, you should not use company time for visiting. Doing so violates the trust placed in you and shows no respect for the company that you work for.
7. Never See the Office Again
Myth: You will never have to return to the office site again, for any reason.
Fact: For some this just may be one of the biggest reasons to work remotely. You can avoid all the distractions, stay out of the politics and rumor mills. This is not realistic.
If one reason that has motivated your desire to work remotely is to get away from people in the
office, please don't broadcast that! It is in your best interest to keep quiet and just enjoy
privately that you won't have to be there.
8. Royal Treatment
Myth: You are owed and entitled to all the luxuries that hotels offer while traveling, on the company dime of course.
Fact: If you believe this, you are mistaken. You are not there for your personal pleasure and the bills are being paid by your company. Use common sense when traveling and don't go overboard with room service or other expensive activities unless you are prepared to pay for them yourself and use them on your own time.
9. Gadgets Galore
Myth: You need all the latest and greatest gadgets known to work remotely.
Fact: Use only the mobile gear that allows you to accomplish your job and that is absolutely required to do so.
Your company has a budget to follow and providing mobile workers with all the latest and greatest mobile gear can have significant impact on their bottom line.
Remember part of the appeal remote work offers company is saving money - eating the budget with mobile gear defeats that purpose.
10. Out of Sight = Out of Mind
Myth: You will be forgotten about and never receive another promotion or raise again.
Fact: Just because you are not in the office everyday does not mean you have fallen off the promotion track. With well trained managers and proper evaluation procedures in place, remote workers should have no fear of losing out on promotions because of their work environment.
==================================
Article Written By,
Catherine Roseberry, Author
Your Guide to Mobile Office Technology
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