Thank you for your interest in West at Home. Answers to the most common questions about West at Home are listed below. If your questions are not answered in the FAQs listed below, visit our Support Console to learn even more about the West at Home program.
Q: What will I be doing as a West At Home employee?
A: Depending on the project, you may be obtaining, entering and verifying customer information, answering questions, resolving issues, explaining sales features or offering additional products or services, all while providing exceptional customer service.
For additional details please visit the A Day in the Life page!
Q: Does West At Home offer benefits?
A: Some of the many benefits of being a West At Home employee are:
- Flexibility – You get to set your own hours and work around your schedule!
- No commute – No drive to work with expensive gas bills!
- No dress code – You wear what you want – no dry cleaning bills!
- Medical and dental benefits - You have the option to take advantage of medical and dental related benefits from an outside provider!
- Most importantly – Work from the privacy and comfort of your own home!
This opportunity does not offer insurance or vacation related benefits.
Q: What can you tell me about pay?
A: West At Home offers schedules based on either per minute rate, per call OR guaranteed hourly rate. If total earnings (whether via per minute, per call
or guaranteed hourly rate) are less than minimum wage, employee compensation will be trued up to meet their local minimum wage requirements (our employees
will always earn the greater of the two pay scales). West At Home employees are paid on a biweekly basis and Direct Deposit and/or Pay Card options are available immediately!
Q: Will I be paid for training?
A: Yes, you will be paid an hourly wage for training! Training is conducted online from the comfort of your own home!
Q: Will I ever be required to go to a West location during my employment at home?
A: No, this West At Home opportunity exists from the privacy and comfort of your home!
Q: What can I expect during the application process?
A: Our online application process is user friendly and only takes approximately
35 minutes to complete! First you will complete an application followed by a
skills assessment. Upon successful completion of this step, you will complete an
automated interview – right from your home! You will receive communication via
email after your automated interview so be sure to check your email often. If
you have been selected for a position with West At Home, you will receive an
automated offer acceptance letter that you must sign, followed by online
employment paperwork. We also conduct a criminal history check on all of our
employees. Please be advised that due to a tremendous response, there may be a
delay between time of phone interview and when you hear from West at Home. We
appreciate your patience.
Q: How will I receive communication from West At Home?
A: Email is our primary source of communication to our applicants and employees, so please be sure to reference your email often.
Q: How do I check on the status of my application?
A: We are extremely excited to announce the release of a new self help web page that will allow you
to check the current status of your application. Simply visit West at Home Employment Application Process Site
and click I'm Returning. Please enter your Email Address and last name to login. Then, click on the 'View Application Status' link to get the latest information
on where you stand.
Q: What type of PC equipment is required in order for me to pursue the West At Home program?
A: Computer Hardware:
- Computer Type: PC compatible (sorry, no Macs)
- Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 6.0 or Higher
- Monitor Size: 17 inches or greater
- Minimum OS Version: Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista
- Minimum RAM: 256 MB or higher for Windows XP SP2. 512 MB or higher for Windows Vista
- Minimum Processor Type: AMD Athlon, AMD Duron, Celeron or Pentium III or better
- Minimum Processor Speed: 1 GHZ (1000 MHz) or better
- Minimum Graphic Resolution: 1024 x 768 16 bit
- Sound card with speakers or headset for training audio (During call processing a headset that is attached to your phone is required.)
- Internet Connection: DSL or Cable connection only (Sorry, no modem access OR Satellite connections.)
NOTE: DSL or Cable internet connection is required. Wireless networks, such as WiFi connections and cordless laptop connections are not supported for troubleshooting by the West At Home Helpdesk. If you have a technical issue while using a wireless connection we will be unable to troubleshoot your issue as the root cause could be the wireless network connection.
Q: What is the West At Home Helpdesk Assistant?
A: The West At Home Helpdesk Assistant is a free diagnostic tool offered by West Corporation that will check your PC to see if it is ready for a successful experience as a West At Home Agent by verifying the PC requirements are met. Helpful links are also included to provide you with access locations for downloading required free software.
NOTE: This tool will ask for a valid West At Home UserID and Password, so you must have completed the application process to use this tool.
Q: How do I create an effective home office?
A: Below are suggestions to help make your work environment effective, comfortable and safe.
- Select a room free of distractions. This is important for you and your customers online. Background noise like the television, radio, or a dog barking can be distracting and unprofessional. You will hear each other more clearly and a quiet environment can help you stay focused on your task at hand.
- Look for a place with comfortable conditions. You may spend several hours at a time in this room, so make it a comfortable place. This includes good lighting (add a desk lamp if overhead lighting is not enough) and appropriate temperature control. Don't forget a comfortable chair!
- Create a spacious desktop. Look for a desk or table that is sturdy (one that can handle the weight of your computer and equipment) and at a good height. Give yourself plenty of space for your phone, headset and computer.
- Be safety conscious. You have a lot invested in your equipment. You can protect your equipment from power outages and surges by plugging everything into a surge suppressor power strip. Keep your cords against the wall and away from traffic areas. Use a spill proof container with a straw or lid; accidental spills can damage your PC.
- Disconnect your headset and put it in a drawer between your work sessions - anything to keep your smaller equipment safe.
- Stay organized. Find a method that works for you, maybe a desk calendar for tracking your time. Post important numbers like the toll free number for your PAL on your computer.
- Remember that phones must be feature free (i.e. no FAX machines, fax tones, no caller ID, voicemail, answering machine, call waiting, etc.). You must handle one caller at a time. It is highly recommended that you obtain a second line especially if you have a home alarm, or security monitoring service installed in your home. We strongly encourage all employees to use a second phone number for your work line, so personal calls do not interfere with your customer calls!
Q: Does West At Home have employees in every state?
A: This opportunity is available in many areas throughout the United States. You may check your eligibility by going through our online application process.
Q: Can I work for West both in a call center and as a home agent?
A: West employees cannot pursue the West At Home opportunity simultaneously (and vice versa); you must choose only one.
Q: I'm a former Independent Contractor/West Employee; how do I check my eligibility?
A: You may check your eligibility by completing an online application with West At Home.
