Home Office Etiquette

Corporate America's landscape is changing from acres of cubicle farms to a sea of self-employed soloists and telecommuters. But working well at home requires professionalism. "It's no longer a stigma to say you're working out of your home," says communications consultant Barbara Pachter. "But it's still very important that you leave your customers with the impression that they're dealing with a professional." Her tips for home office workers:

1. Have a separate office For salespeople, "often the [company's headquarters] is nowhere near you, so you really want to have a sense that 'this is work, this is the office,'" Pachter says. That means keeping a space free from the domestic cacophony of barking dogs and screaming kids.

2. Have a dedicated phone and fax line for business Your phone and fax are necessary tools for work, so make sure you have separate lines for each. And don't use call waiting on business calls—it's incredibly rude to the person with whom you're speaking.

3. Have an appropriate meeting space Your living room doesn't count. "If you don't have the space, go to a hotel or meet over lunch," Pachter says.

4. Establish rapport with workers at headquarters You don't want to be forgotten just because you're not putting in daily face time with colleagues. Make sure you meet the people you talk to on the phone, and network when you're at the corporate offices.

5. Dress professionally "People have a tendency to feel more professional when they're well-dressed," Pachter says, especially if they're new to telecommuting. "If you're trying to create the image that this is work, dressing up can give you that edge."