Finding the Perfect At Home Job

For a mother with young kids, working from home may seem like the best of both worlds: having something interesting to do, spending more time with family, and also making some money. Finding a job to do from home not only provides extra cash; it can also be a great way to keep you intellectually stimulated and create a sense of accomplishment.

With the growth of technology over the past decade, working from home is easier than ever. The internet makes telecommuting possible, and brings a worldwide marketplace to your front door. For these reasons, women entrepreneurs are one of the fastest growing segments in our economy.

You may have already decided you'd love to work from home. That's the easy decision. The hard part is knowing what to do. The answer is different for every person, and depends largely on your answers to the questions below.

Interests and Skills
By this point in your life, you've probably had at least a couple jobs or careers. Chances are you’ve hated some and loved others. Did you love working with people but hate paperwork? Maybe you excelled at creative tasks but your selling skills were less than stellar. Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses as well as your your interests is a good starting point.

Start by writing down all the things that you are good at or have a passion for. Your list might include hobbies, talents, or things you have prior experience doing. Just be sure that all the things on your list are things you enjoy. If you’re doing something you love, it won’t feel like work.

Work Style
Do you like to work alone, or with others? Are you a self-motivated person, or do you need someone else’s encouragement to do great things? The answers to these questions can provide some valuable insight as to what business you should undertake.

If you are highly self-motivated, you may be an ideal candidate for starting a business from scratch. Follow your passion, do your homework, and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way.

Direct selling opportunities (think Pampered Chef and Mary Kay) are great choices for those who don’t have a product idea of their own or may need a little encouragement to help them get started. Don't enjoy selling? You may also want to look into telecommuting or independent contracting possibilities that let you work for an employer on your own schedule. Don't be afraid to knock on some doors and make some phone calls. Many times these opportunities aren't advertised.



What’s Hot and What's Not
No matter how much you believe in your product or service, it won’t be successful if it’s not marketable.

Pay close attention to trends in the business world, retail sector, and leisure markets to see what products and services are popular right now. Make a list of all the trends you've noticed: both what's hot and which things seem to be losing steam. Instead of doing the same thing that’s out there, invent a new product or make an existing one better.

Risk
How much are you willing to risk financially to start your business? Many businesses are started on a shoestring budget, others require more of a capital investment. What is your comfort level? Luckily with the internet, you can create a whole marketplace with a simple internet connection or simple website.

Once you’ve answered the questions above, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect at-home job!

About the Author: Kimberly Danger is the owner/publisher of Mommysavers.com, and online resource for parents interested in saving time and money. She is the author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains. Ms. Danger lives in Southern Minnesota with her husband and two kids.