Do you need special skills to be a telecommuter?

One of the top questions I am asked repeatedly is whether or not you need any special skills to be a telecommuter. Like, do you need a high school diploma? Bachelors? Or can "life skills" type of experience be enough to land a telecommuting job?

In reality, it is all of the above. Just like jobs you might be applying for in the real world for positions in an outside office, the types of jobs you apply for that are telecommuting positions can be anything from pretty much no experience (such as many telecommuter positions) to high level experience and a Masters degree, such as some specialized positions in the tech or business fields.

When you are interested in a telecommuting position, the first thing you should look for is the job requirements and see if they match your current skills.

What if you aren't skilled enough to get a telecommuting job that you want, such as a medical transcriptionist? First, check and see if the company offers training, as companies do offer training programs (some that you get paid for!) in certain specialized fields, including medical transcription. Otherwise, look to see where you can advance your education so you can land those jobs you really want, instead of the jobs you currently have the experience and skills for.

Bottom line, just like any outside job, look at the job description and requirements first to see if you meet the requirements. And what if you meet nearly all the requirements but might be lacking in one area? Double check with the employer because they might be able to grant leeway if you otherwise match their requirements, especially if they are not getting many applications for the position.

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