Work at home companies are companies that will hire you to work out of the home and can be large or small, local or national. As more and more companies are finding that they don’t have to have as much staff in the office and are trying to cut back on expenses they are turning more and more to the online and home workforce.

This is especially true when it comes to the smaller companies as they can save a fortune through outsourcing. Look and take advantage of the opportunities that are around you. Here are a couple of options for local and online opportunities to seek out.

Local Companies

Look for companies that are in your own community and area and get to a personal level with them and show them how you can help them save costs by doing their books and other daily tasks as a contractor working out of your home for them. The small business may only need you a few hours or a day a week but you can build up your base and build quite a nice clientele and is always a good way to get started. Know your neighborhood and target those that you think might need the help. It is always best to target them when they are busy and bogged down and wondering how they are going to make it and then you walk through the door. You have a high likelihood or at least higher of getting a job.

Internet Companies and/or Jobs

There are a lot of businesses turning to the online sites that match buyers with providers to have them do anything from accounting and bookkeeping to writing and other. These types of companies are great with employment and will give you great freelancing experience and usually will lead into other jobs and positions either within that business or segment to others.

You’re also going to find those companies are going to want to have telecommuters to act as virtual assistants and customer support.

When you apply and go through a company online you’ll want to make sure that you check them out or go through a provider/buyer site like oDesk http://www.odesk.com that will guarantee the buyers hourly rate so you can feel safe you’re going to get your paycheck.