Vitaver & Associates, Inc.

So what’s up with telecommuting? Surprisingly, there are many. If you are considering becoming a part of the industry or you are already at it, you may want to pay attention to the current trends. In any kind of job, one of the best ways to keep your work is you must learn how to adapt. You may then want to check out the current trends below and see how you can fit in.

Over 100 million people will be telecommuters.
Based on the report by Star Workforce Solutions last January 2009, more than 100 million Americans will be telecommuters for the first years of the new decade. This statistic will continue to rise, and the days the employees are out of the office will become much longer.

More employers are considering telecommuting.
Despite the popularity of telecommuting, thousands of employers still maintain an office, and employees are required to come to the office every day. Business owners are just making sure that their staffs are working for them.

Well, starting this year it may be quite different. Over 48 percent of employers surveyed by Gartner in 2009 said they are planning of incorporating work-at-home schedules into their corporate lifestyle. After all, 23 percent of the respondents are confident they can look forward to lowering their office, electricity, internet, maintenance, and rental budgets.

Telecommuting will be added as a benefit to workers, similar to what big-time companies like Yahoo and Qualcomm have been doing.

There will be more green jobs available.
It is time to add one more expertise or field on your list: green jobs. Because of issues about climate change, global warming, and health and wellness – which are, interestingly two very huge industries these days – people have become more interested about going green. On the other hand, entrepreneurs want to tap into this growing niche market using the skills of telecommuters.

Employers will search for specialization.
Smorgasbord writers may want to start thinking which fields they do well. Employers will start looking for “specialists.” These are people who are considered experts in their chosen niche – and companies will be adamant in looking for proofs.

Competition has been tough among Internet marketers as hundreds join online commerce almost daily. To make sure they can get the most attention from Internet users, they have to offer something very unique.

Remote office centers will be more in demand.
Technologies play a big role in the flourishing of telecommuting, and with the continuous rise of demand from business owners, they need to have the right equipment and tools as soon as possible without spending a lot of money.

Thus, they operate in remote offices. These are similar to corporate buildings. The only difference is that telecommuters rent the space on hourly, weekly, or monthly basis. They can make use of the facilities – from the Internet connection to computers, printers and fax machines. Of course, they are given their own respective cubicles. This way, telecommuters can provide the best kind of service to their employers.

Check out our Hot Jobs section for the latest opportunities.

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How many people are actually telecommuting? Based on the data provided by Gartner Request, in 2008, there were around 25 percent of employees who prefer to work at home for the preceding year. Because of this current trend, many workplace experts, HR managers, and even company owners stated that in this decade, more will find their jobs and businesses at home.

There are plenty of reasons why many workers prefer telecommuting. Topping the list is the fact that it cuts back at almost everything: transportation, food, and taxes, to name a few. You also have more control over the amount of time you spend on your desk and your personal life. A lot of telecommuters gush about how much this trend allows them to pick or continue on their hobbies and meet friends and family for lunch or dinner. Telecommuting also gives you a chance to determine how much you want to earn. After all, as long as you work hard, you can earn much more.

However, not everyone finds telecommuting the ultimate utopia. As to why, you may want to take a look at the four reasons below:

1. You don’t enjoy certain benefits.
Yes, when you work in an office, you are taxed, report to work early, and sometimes have to deal with office politics. Nevertheless, you enjoy benefits too, such as insurance plans, free trips to other places, trainings and seminars, a well-designed cubicle, allowances, and even a pension account. Unless your boss is very generous—and such a rare breed—you will never get any of these. Your income will usually equal to how much effort you put on the job.

2. For beginners – you don’t have free time all the time.
If you are one of those who think you can grab beers every night with friends when you are telecommuting, well, you are up for a major letdown. It is not common for people to spend close to 24 hours on their desk, especially when they are basically starting out. They have to search for their own clients, do the projects by themselves, and build their portfolio.

3. You tend to get used to it.
Some people no longer meet up with their friends and family since they can easily update them about their lives in social networking websites such as Facebook. They do not have to sit down in cafes because instant messengers are already available.

Because of the deep attachment to the Internet, a number of telecommuters tend to get used to this convenient lifestyle and, in the process, let their personal relationships suffer.

4. Your job does not end.
When you are working in an office, you have the option to leave your work at the cubicle. You can put your papers at your desk so personal life begins once you leave the workplace. That is not the case in telecommuting. Your house will be your office for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

Is telecommuting worth it? Unless you share the same opinion as the list above, then it is not in your case.

Check out our Hot Jobs section for the latest opportunities.
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