When you phone to order something from a catalog or infomercial, a big office with rows of cubicles may come to mind. But the person on the other end of the line is likely to be sitting in a home office. It's a huge and growing industry, Durst says of companies that hire independent contractors to take calls from home. She says the home-shore movement started in response to complaints about the many companies that looked offshore for workers. While some websites such as AlpineAccess. com actually hire representatives, most use subcontractors. Just be aware that the pay may be by the minute rather than by the hour, so you may not be paid for time you spend waiting by the phone. A list of companies that hire call center reps can be found at HomeWithTheKids. com.
