People who do telecommute are people who are organized self-starters who can work with minimal supervision. Most telecommuting jobs deal with either the computer the phone or both. Management expects that you can handle the work without the need for constant babysitting. In order to succeed at a work at home job, you must make adjustments to your work habits and traits for success.
The work habits of a successful business worker is still typical of telecommuters and not the opposites:
- Handles Directions Well (wait am I supposed to take notes?)
- Good Punctuation (well isnt that what Spell check is for?)
- Work Above their Duties (look I sent you the file right. What more do you want, a head start on tomorrow’s work..)
- Positive Attitude (This job sucks and I will keep reminding my team so we all produce crappy work)
- Good Team Player (This is my project and I will take ALL the credit. Its all about me)
But for telecommuters, you must be able to work with little direction. There isnt a traditional co-worker or manager walking past your desk to make sure you are doing your work and not stalking someone on Facebook.
You must be disciplined to handle the work given to you and to be able to communicate the work output effectively.
Some of the traits for a Successful Telecommuters may seem easy at first but it takes practice
Thinking Outside of the Box 
Telecommuters are not waiting by the computer for someone to email them their daily duties.
- You know what you have to do and you do it. It is not so easy as in an office. If you are not sure of something, you roll your chair to the cubicle next to you for the answer.
Telecommuters need to either send an instant message, email, or phone call.
- These are great forms of communication but it doesnt mean you are getting an instant response. So start thinking outside of the box and attempt to solve the problem. Take control of the issue instead of running everytime your email client doesnt work.
If you are not clear on your duties, then take the time to communicate any concerns. This leads us to our next successful trait…
Learn to Communicate as an Individual & a Team Player
Stop waiting for someone to speak to you. Take ownership of the work assigned and complete it within the time alloted. This is not like entrepreneurs who can create their own work outputs.
You are following the usual corporate or small business chain of command. Yes you can get fired as quick as the person in an office.
Working Independently & Collectively
Now does that make sense…Yes.
There isnt much hand holding and babysitting in telecommuting jobs. I have seen people start off in a telecommuting job and abuse all aspects of the priviledges.
What Priviledges?
Using the company phone for personal use (hey Im going to work my internet business from the same computer. Who would find out.)
Using the company computer for unauthorized sites (as if you didnt realize that they still track your work even at home. Its called a network)
Pretending to be at work when you are really out shopping.
Stop the Bull&^%*
Yes I said it. If you were a terrible worker, always undermining your authority in the office, that isnt going to change at home. Your work personality will still show as a telecommuter.
Remember, when you are working at home, no one sees your face and they dont absentmindely make judgment based on your appearance.
They are solely relying on your voice tone and your ability to get the work done.
If you are a bad worker, trust me it will show.
So use these traits for your next at home job and hey use it at the office as well. This will help to retain your job and move up the ladder.
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