Once a working mother's dream, the virtual office -- working from home or owning your own business -- is today's reality for working men and women. Many companies also incorporate flexibility into their culture, encouraging work at home arrangements for cost effectiveness. Examples of flexible positions include medical billing, transcription and coding, as well as positions for people in sales, claims, technical writing and consulting. If you've been thinking about flexible work arrangements, here are resources and sites to review as you begin to make your plans:

• Identify flexible positions or arrangements you may want to pursue. Consider those identified by The Independent Homeworkers Association. On this site you may search the database by state and discipline or review all the listings -- including jobs for mystery shoppers, special events coordinators and management positions.

• Check out flexible work opportunities through the San Francisco-based organization, New Ways to Work. This organization has been committed to helping professionals uncover and develop flexible work arrangements for over 20 years. New Ways to Work offers a list of resources on telecommuting.

• Visit other telecommuting sites like the International Telework Assocation and Council and telecommuting resources listed with the Society for Human Resource Management.

• Negotiate for what you want. Many work-at-home arrangements begin first through careful negotiations between a valued employee and his or her employer. If you like your job, are good at it and know ways to redesign it, make a proposal to your supervisor. Negotiation continues to be one of the most effective ways to create a work-at-home arrangement.

• Consider starting your own business. Many people who work at home do so because they own their own businesses or are sole proprietors. The U.S.A. Home Based Business Information Superhighway is an excellent resource, especially the Home Based Business Occupational Handbook, which details 175 successful home businesses. Or consider the Home Office Association. This site links to descriptions of 50 great start-ups and other important home office resources.

• Read publications designed for stay-at-home moms and dads such as WAHM.com: The Online Magazine for Work at Home Moms and Daddys Home.

• Research opportunities at companies which offer flexibility. You may do this by reviewing those listed with the Wellness Councils of America, or those compiled by Women's Wire or the 100 Best Companies compiled by Working Mother Magazine.

By researching all options, you'll make a better decision about starting your own business, negotiating flexibility with your employer or changing employers to reach your goal.

Center for Career/Life Planning © 1999