No, the key words are not reading, writing and arithmetic!! They are *realistic*, *relentless* and the ability to be *resourceful*! If you keep these three critical elements in mind for the duration of your telecommuting search, success will be within your reach.

REALISTIC... Securing a telecommuting position takes time and lots of it!! Set realistic time goals for yourself. It may take months, up to a year to find a position that allows at least partial telecommute working. While the trend of working offsite is definitely growing, the majority of companies still insist on their employees working in-office. So, you have very few beneficed companies inundated with scores of resumes from eager applicants. When a telecommuting job ad is placed, the response is overwhelming in most instances. For a data entry position, a potential employer may receive hundreds of resumes! Realize this and you won't take a rejection letter or lack of response to your resume as a personal attack.

RELENTLESS...Never give up! Don't let more than a few days slip by without responding to as many work-at-home jobs as you are qualified for. Subscribe to all of the WAH newsletters that you find (may I suggest Moms@ Home Working)? Employ search engines to locate telecommuting sites and online job banks. Use keywords: telecommuting, work at home, home business, etc. Submit your resume to ads for onsite employment; you never know, you may be able to submit a telecommuting plan after proving yourself and skills. Rather than risk losing a valued employee, your boss just may be open to at the very least, part-time telecommute working. You'll encounter times when you receive no responses to your resume. Allow yourself a 'pity party' and then get over it and on with your search!

RESOURCEFUL!! This is my middle name! In addition to my website and publishing a newsletter for those seeking WAH jobs, I also freelance as a Scheduler/ Recruiter. Prior to responding to a job that I am interested in, I do my homework. I will look up the company's background and become familiar as possible with them. I then email or fax a cover letter and resume directly to the CEO/ President. Works like a charm! They assume anyone who took the initiative and time to conduct research on the company would make a valued addition and I have landed more than one assignment using this method. Several days after submitting your resume, follow up with a personal note of interest and offer to send references if desired. Even if you receive a "thanks but no thanks" letter, stay in touch and resend your resume once a month. Keep your name in front of the Human Resources staff and if an opening arises, you may be the first contacted before any ads are placed.

Keep these three essential R's in mind and you will find your dream WAH job!! Good luck!