For example, we've all heard about the notion of working from home--at least for a few hours a week. Many computer-driven businesses are seeing productivity advances by encouraging certain types of work at home jobs.

Well there is another parallel trend that can impact your job. Many companies are bringing the advantages of home to the workplace.

Many organizations are taking the best aspects of home and incorporating them into the workplace. They are recognizing that work is becoming home for many employees.

For instance, it has been recently reported that 46 of the 100 best companies offer take-home meals to liberate workers from having to cook dinner. Or how about this: 26 of those 100 companies offer personal concierge services. This allows employees to outsource the details of buying flowers and birthday presents . . . or planning anniversary parties or bar mitzvahs.

Why?

Well, organizations are finding that providing such options makes bottom line sense:

1. It's all part of the ongoing search for top talent. Offering these amenities is proving to be a strong recruitment tool.

2. It's all about productivity. Companies find that they can relieve employees' anxieties. Providing services or managing events that could distract them from their work focus increases their productivity.

You owe it to yourself to check these trends out. They may already exist with your current employer. But if you're in the job market, negotiating these items can give your personal bottom line a serious boost.

So, what should you do?

If you're currently employed, check out what the company's policies are regarding work at home jobs and bringing home benefits to the job. You may be surprised to learn that opportunities already exist within your organization.

Or, perhaps you can be the catalyst for bringing them to the attention of management. If you do your homework and come forward with a carefully thought-out proposal . . .one that shows how other organizations are successfully doing it . . . you stand a very good chance of at least getting your ideas heard.

On the other hand, if you're in the job market you may want to target companies that have favorable work at home plans. Or that feature special "home in the workplace" policies. Targeting organizations that are consistent with your credential and workplace expectations is a critical part of 21st Century job search success.

Of course, finding these kinds of opportunities requires doing your homework. Unfortunately they won"t drop in your lap. But the good news is there are sophisticated, exciting job search methods, like developing "career partners," that can dramatically and quickly move the odds in your favor. They can make productive targeting a cinch!