There are many opportunities for working customer service jobs from home. Some of these jobs may be a scam. For every con there are still legitimate companies that hire people to work from home as a customer service rep. When you find these opportunities, they can be enticing. It is important to obtain as many details as possible before working customer service jobs from home. Doing so will help you to figure out which opportunity and company works for your particular situation, skills and goals. Here is a list of important facts to consider before working customer service jobs from home.
Employment or Contractor?
All work at home companies do not offer the same opportunities. Some require their customer service reps to sign on as an independent contractor. That usually means you will be responsible for your own benefits, supplies and any job related expenses. One fact about being an independent contractor is that you must file and pay taxes on your own. If you enjoy being self-employed and know how to operate a small business, this may be the right position.
Other companies offer employment, meaning they usually provide training and send you payment based on a set hourly wage. Those that are working customer service jobs from home as employees do not have many initial expenses. There are also work at home companies that offer applicants the option of being an independent contractor or employee. If you do not know which one to choose, it may be best to wait until the decision is clear. You can then apply at that time.
Location of the Work at Home Customer Service company
Many work at home companies hire people from all of the country and possibly the world. Location is an important fact to consider before working customer service jobs at home. Just because you can work for a company does not mean that it is in your best interest to do so. If you live in California and the work at home company is located in Vermont, that will have a significant impact on your work schedule. The same goes if it were the other way around. Works hours may be based on that company’s main location.
Pay scale for the work from home customer service rep
If you work in a town where the average wage for a customer service rep is $11 and the work at home company is offering $7, that may not be your ideal scenario. This is especially true for those who sign on as an independent contractor. At the end of the day, you could be losing money to be a work from home customer service rep. Therefore, pay scale is another fact to consider before working customer service at home. You should make sure that there is enough money being earned to cover any expenses that occur from being a work from home customer service rep with the company that you chose.
Available benefits for work at home customer service jobs
Almost everyone seeks a job that provides a good benefits package. This should be just as important when working customer service from home as it is anywhere else. Some companies offer benefits that are similar to that of jobs where you would have to commute. Others provide their own version of benefits. This may include discounts on healthcare services.
The work at home customer service job that you choose should reflect your own personal needs. If you need a full benefits package that includes healthcare, dental and vision services, the discounts are not a wise choice. Discount health plans are not benefits. You can get many discount health plans on your own. That is why you should carefully keep every detail in mind and weigh the benefits and shortfalls, if any before working customer service jobs from home.
