So you’ve decided you want to work from home. Great for you!  Now you just have to find a job that allows you to do just that. Where to begin? Unfortunately the home job hunt is ten times harder than the average job hunt. There’s no store advertising “Apply here”; although, on the web you can easily get caught up in all the places that are waiting for people like yourself, desperate to work from home. The opportunities are plentiful, but plenty of them aren’t legitimate opportunities. So, how do you pick out the bad apples and bite into a real work from home job? By avoiding becoming a work from home scam victim. Here are some tips to start with.

Know the Difference Between a Home-based Job and a Business Opportunity

Many a telecommuting novice has become frustrated in their job search due to the overwhelming number of business opportunities they come across as opposed to real jobs. Know what you are looking for. Do you want to simply work from home, be paid hourly and recognized as an employee or independent contractor? Or are you interested in your own business and all the effort that comes along with it? Be sure you know what the company is offering you. If they are asking for money it is certainly not a job (although some legit companies will ask that you pay for a background check). It’s easy to be scammed when you are not only unsure what the company is about, but also about what you are looking for.

Be a Friend of the BBB

The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) was created to assist companies and consumers alike. It distinguishes between the good and bad businesses and can be an invaluable tool during your virtual job hunt. Look up a company whether or not they claim to be a member of the BBB. Google the company and you will likely pull up their website (if they have one; if they don’t that is usually a red flag!) as well as reviews on them from the BBB and other sites. Take heed to what you read!

Be a Friend to Fellow Virtual Job Hunters

One of the best ways to avoid the scams is to talk to others who have dealt with the companies you are looking into. Their advice is invaluable in helping you to decide whether or not the company is right for you or a complete scam. Of course you might hear mixed reviews, but you can use all of what you heard to help you make your decision. There are many forum style websites designed for the stay at home parent, student, etc in search of telecommute positions. Take advantage of them and their resources.

Good luck in your search for a real home based job and may your path to it be scam free!