While it’s important to know what to do to help your chances in getting the telecommuting position you want; it’s also just as important to know what you should not do. Learning from others mistakes is the best way to do that.

Here are the top 4 mistakes that cost people the telecommuting jobs they apply for:

1. Don’t follow directions in a job ad

Some people tend to send off their resume without reading a job ad thoroughly first. A lot of job ads will say things like, “don’t send attachments. Place your resume in the body of the email.” or something similar. Then what happens if the person applying doesn’t read through and see that?

They send an attachment and it ultimately gets deleted and the person is no longer considered for the position since they didn’t follow the potential employer’s instructions. Those employers are more impressed with someone who can follow directions, because then they could follow directions on the job.

2. Annoy the Prospective Employer

Believe it or not, this actually happens. Its one thing to be anxious; because you haven’t heard anything, but it’s another to bombard your prospective employer with one or two emails a day inquiring about it.

It’s okay to send an email making sure they received the resume a few days after you send it. It’s even okay to send an email a couple of weeks later to inquire to see how things are coming along, but it’s not okay to send oodles of emails to them on a daily basis. You’ll be seen as an annoyance and they probably won’t want someone like that working for them.

3. Monopolizing the Interviews with Personal Stories

It’s true that most employers want to know a little about you to determine whether you’re a fit or not for their company. However, they don’t need; nor do they want to know about all your personal problems. Say things like, “I like to travel” instead of “I’m desperate to work from home, because I can’t afford daycare anymore.”
Stay focused on the questions they ask.

If they want you to share a few things about yourself, then stick to positive things and leave your personal problems to your friends or family.

4. Lying on your resume

You might think that it increases your chances of getting the position, but in most cases, it increases your chances of losing it. Those who have lied on their résumés tend to slip-up in the interviews or get caught by the employer, because they do a little digging.

Be truthful when filling out applications or creating your resume. If you only have 6 months experience developing software programs or whatever; then say so. It’s better to be truthful with them, then to get caught in a lie.

These mistakes are easy ways to cost you the job you’ve worked hard to try to get. Learn from others and avoid making them yourself. The employers will appreciate your professionalism in the application process and you’ll be pleased too if they decide to hire you for the job.

Nell Taliercio has been working at home full time since 2004. She’s worked as a telecommuter, virtual assistant and affiliate marketer. In 5 years she’s discovered many secrets to finding legitimate work at home jobs and securing them. You can find work at home job information and tips at: http://www.justonlinejobs.com

Last 5 posts by Nell Taliercio

• Creating Content for Your Affiliate Marketing Business Website: FAQ - July 5th, 2010
• Designing a Website for Your Affiliate Marketing Business - June 30th, 2010
• Affiliate Marketing: Why is it Important to Market to a Niche? - June 25th, 2010
• Affiliate Marketing: Avoiding The Scams - May 31st, 2010
• Telecommuting Customer Service Agent - February 1st, 2010

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Tags: mistakes, Telecommuting