Are You Lost After Losing Your Work from Home Position?

I consider myself lucky, I received my notice that I was being laid off a full month before the dreaded last day. But, even with the month to prepare for the day, I'm still reeling from the prospect of another work from home job search. While unemployment rates across the country are high, people searching for work from home jobs face an especially tough challenge because these positions are highly sought after and weeding through scams and low paying slave labor positions can be tough. So how do you cope with another work from home search with the horror stories of your first search fresh in your mind?

Don't be afraid to ask for help

As a remote worker, you're entitled to the same rights granted to people who roll out of bed and commute every morning. So, don't forget to look into unemployment benefits, even if you think you might not qualify. Some states allow workers to get unemployment even if they have another job, so you have something to hold you over while searching.

Also, use the job search help available in most states through the unemployment office. While most of these positions will not offer telecommuting, you might be able to make a case to your future employer to allow you to do so. Get help online, scour work at home forums and communities to use the expertise of others who have searched.

Be prepared to wait it out

If your first search taught you anything, you learned that finding a position, filling out the paperwork, and getting hired can take as little as a month for the very lucky but can be a year or more for many telecommuters. Treat your job search as your job. Wake up at the same time as you did to go to work and dedicate the same amount of hours as you used to work to your search. Act professionally and your search will be expedited.

The long months without a paycheck can be a frightening prospect. As soon as you find out you've been cut from your current position, look into cutting back costs. Cable might seem like a necessary, but you can live without it.

Make money while you wait it out

If you have any writing ability, look to sites like Associated Content that pay you to write. If you're a photographer, several sites pay for your photographs. The good thing about these types of sites is you often get paid for views or downloads of your work so you can make money off your work for years to come.

Are you crafty? Sell your homemade items. And, of course you can start looking around the house for items to sell on auction sites like Ebay.

Brush up and develop new skills

Do you kind of know how Dreamweaver works, have you played around with Photoshop? Take a class or follow online tutorials to become a pro. You can use your new skills to get a gig freelancing or to pitch to potential new employers.

Visit your local community college to look into certification programs and degrees to further your skills even more.

Stay confident

The slew of denial emails, or never hearing from someone you really wanted to work for can cause you to spiral into a world of self pity and self doubt. You have a huge advantage over many remote workers, you've landed a work at home job before. Not only should this give you a confidence boast, this will be a great selling point to any future employer.