The most common words I encounter are telecommute and home-based. I decided to search for the answer to my question. I found definitions of these terms but could not find anything that told me what they mean when applying for a job. Therefore, I am taking my own stab at it based on my experience.

The official definition of telecommute is working from a remote location (often from home) rather than commuting to and from the employer’s work site to perform the same work. The official definition of home-based is working from home with the aim at keeping children in their homes.

As I have submitted my WAH applications, I found that telecommuting is not just working from a remote location. When you see telecommute in the job title, you want to read the description thoroughly. Many of these jobs want local applicants because the job is not a 100% WAH position. The employer will allow most of the work to be done from home. However, the employer expects the employee to attend weekly meetings and meet with clients. Some WAH may be just that and the employer drops in unexpectedly to see how work is going. One woman I know does this, but the company expects her children in day care. So check carefully all that is required in WAH jobs.

The home-based definition needs some updating, if you ask me. Nevertheless, the core of it is true and that is to work from home. In my experience, all of the job titles I have applied for with Home-Based in the job title are positions that work solely out of the employee’s home.

Now that I have my answer, I will focus my searches on home-based job titles and keep my eye on the telecommuting ones…just in case there is one in my area.