Working women who have taken a sabbatical from work to start their families often find themselves at crossroads as they do not know when they can resume their careers, and if they do, whether they would have the same welcome after a gap of a couple of years. To these young women, we suggest the new phenomenon of telecommuting which is catching on fast as employers do not want to lose their trained employees in this age of attrition.

Here then are a few pointers that can help you to decide whether you are a fit candidate to work as a telecommuting professional.

• You have to understand that this is not the same as any person working from home. We are talking here of someone who has all the skills and experience of a trained worker and who will be able to replicate office work from home. So if you are skilled and talented - if you can handle a computer with professional ease, write well, have adequate phone skills, or if you can use accounting software competently you are in business.
• Were you a thorough professional when you were employed? Because that is what will be expected of you when you work from home. Deadlines will have to be met whatever be the crisis at home. Baby sick? That's no excuse! You have to finish your work on time - such will be the professionalism expected of you.
• Equip yourself with all the necessary resources like broadband connection, extra dedicated phone line and all the software needed for an office like word processor and spreadsheet.
• Do you have the necessary confidence to work on your own? Can you deliver competent work on time? Are you motivated enough to be able to deliver or would you snatch minutes of relaxation in between that will delay you? Remember, there is no supervisor sitting on your head so it's entirely up to you to schedule your work and submit on time.
• Imagine that you are going to hire staff for your own fledgling company. Just for a moment think of yourself as a prospective candidate. Do you think you would hire a person like yourself? Do you have the necessary work ethics and skills? If you work from home, you can be tempted to waste time or do some housework in the allotted time. Remember that you are being paid by someone who expects you to complete work on time. And quality work at that!

Not everyone will be suited to telecommuting. It may prove to be a perfect way to balance work and home for some, but for others who are not professional enough, it might turn out to be a disaster. Understand that telecommuting has its own work structure and a certain routine that will have to be followed. So unless you are sure you have it in you to succeed, it is better to do a thorough self analysis before you apply for a job that involves telecommuting.

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