Reverse Outsourcing Means More Opportunities for Telecommuting Americans

In a recent segment on Good Morning, America, job expert Tory Johnson talked about a growing trend among international companies: reverse outsourcing. For years, U.S. corporations have shipped jobs overseas in order to cut costs and increase production. Now these jobs are coming back to the U.S. as more and more global companies are looking to hire American freelancers for short and long-term contract work. According to Johnson, in 2009 American freelancers earned roughly 15 million dollars from non-U.S. companies. That’s an increase from 2008 and experts expect that figure will double in the upcoming year.

So why would global companies want to hire in the U.S. when they can find low-cost labor in their own countries? The answer is simple. More and more international companies are trying to build a U.S. customer base, so they recruit American workers to develop web content, create marketing strategies and provide customer service to their clients. Companies in countries like Singapore, India, Thailand, and Germany are looking to increase their power in the American market by hiring skilled U.S. workers. Reverse outsourcing promises to provide plenty of opportunities to both experienced telecommuters and newcomers looking to put their foot in the work-at-home door.

In order to take advantage of this global job boom, sign up for an account at an online job marketplace.  ODesk.com and Elance.com allow you to create a profile free of charge, but each of them charge you a commission on your earnings (around 10%). IFreelance.com doesn’t take a commission, but they require you to pay a monthly fee (basic memberships start at $4.69). These websites allow you to bid for projects and network with potential employers. You may have to accept low paying projects in order to establish your reputation. However, after a few projects, you should be able to demand a higher hourly rate. For more information on how to take advantage of reverse outsourcing, visit the GMA website.