Pregnant and Preparing to Work at Home

Q: "I just recently discovered I am pregnant. I am working full time right now, but when I have the baby, I want to be able to work from home. I need some suggestions on how to accomplish that and where to look for jobs that are home-based. I am computer literate, so that isn't a problem. Right now I am in management, but I won't be able to continue at my current job working from home. Any ideas?"

A: Fortunately, there are now many more opportunities to work at home than ever before. Without knowing your industry or career, I can't give you a specific direction. However, I can offer a variety of options that are often home-based. Perhaps one of these will work for you.

Selling or answering customer questions over the phone is a great way to generate income. Since the client can't see you, it doesn't matter if you are in a call center or at a desk in the back bedroom.

Setting up bookkeeping and other types of accounting activities away from your company's location is another common practice. You can use Peachtree or Quickbooks to write up financial transactions; then, either print out the reports and deliver them, or email them via the internet.

Writing projects lend themselves to an environment with a computer and a modem as well. Proposals, brochures, direct mail pieces, books and articles, seminar materials, editing and a host of other writing activities can also move easily back and forth over the internet.

You might also consider computer-based jobs that require spreadsheets, databases or graphic design. While these are more difficult to send electronically, the right software makes it possible to maintain database fields, email pictures or pages with columns and artwork to a variety of people quickly and easily.

Many individuals are making excellent incomes doing research on the internet for companies, writers or consultants. If you know good query techniques, you can find just about anything on the World Wide Web while shod in your bunny slippers, sipping your favorite mug of coffee.

If you are willing to start your own business, the opportunities are endless. Most of the independent consultants I know work out of their homes. They conduct meetings at the customer's office because it's more convenient. There's no need for an imposing conference room. Other viable home-based businesses may include any of the above options, plus multi-level marketing, personal shopping, customized baskets, advertising and PR, website design and management, dog sitting and errand running, or whatever your creativity and business acumen can imagine.

A computer, fax, modem, copier, answering machine, letterhead, business cards, a checking account and a phone line or two are all you need to appear quite professional. Of course, you do have to be mindful of baby slobber on the shoulder of your silk blouse.