Work-at-Home Jobs FAQ: "Telework" jobs

Kinds of jobs NTI hires for

1. What kinds of work-at-home jobs does NTI develop for people with disabilities?
2. How much do telework jobs pay?

Matching people with telework jobs

3. Can NTI match me with part-time or full-time telework?
4. How likely is NTI to match me with a telework or work-at-home job?
5. Can I make my own hours or work around my other commitments?
6. How will I learn how to perform this work?

 

1. What kinds of work-at-home jobs does NTI develop for people with disabilities?

About 85% of the jobs NTI develops are for customer service agents for federal agencies or commercial companies operating telephone call centers. Individuals hired as customer service agents use personal computers, high-speed Internet connections, phone lines, and telephone headsets to answer telephone calls from their homes.

Depending upon the organization the agents work for, they might do any of the following:

• Accept orders for federal publications,
• Answer questions about store products,
• Handle billing questions for a cell phone company
• Provide technical support for Internet service providers
  

The remaining 15% of the jobs NTI develops are in medical transcription, quality control monitoring, government survey work, business-to-business telemarketing, or miscellaneous areas.

2. How much do telework jobs pay?

Most jobs start at $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Some that require special skills or supervisory experience pay $11-$15 per hour.

Most of the jobs do not include benefits such as health care coverage, vacation pay or a retirement plan, although government work and full time jobs often do .

 

3. Can NTI match me with part-time or full-time telework?

Yes. Some employers specify only part time or only full time others are open to both. Some employers offer seasonal positions that transition into year-round jobs once you have proven yourself to be a reliable employee. Discuss your needs with your NTI represntative once you schedule an interview.

 

4. How likely is NTI to match me with a telework or work-at-home job?

If you have a clear speaking voice, are comfortable using a computer, have a prior work history (even if you have not held a job for several years), and are confident that you can handle at least 20 hours of work per week, the chances are good that NTI can match you to a telework job. Understand that it may take weeks, often months, but new job orders arrive at NTI all the time.

5. Can I make my own hours or work around my other commitments?

Your work hours will vary depending on your position. Most employers will require you to be available during specific shifts. Others will allow you to make your own hours as long as you meet certain productivity measures. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be for NTI to match you with a position.

6. How will I learn how to perform this work?

You will train online in your home as part of a group of 8-15 trainees preparing for the same job. Typically, you will meet with your classmates and instructor for 4-6 hours per day over 1-6 weeks, depending upon the complexity of the job you're preparing for.

You and the other trainees will dial into a conference call "bridge" so that you can hear and speak with your instructor and fellow trainees. At the same time, you will also connect with your instructor over the Internet using distance training software. You will be able to see the instructor's computer screen on your computer screen as he or she talks to the class via your headset. The instructor will demonstrate every aspect of handling a call. The training is the same as if all of you were sitting in the same classroom instead of in your homes in different states.