Looking to work from home? Here are a few you can choose from.
After the entire world came through the sweeping changes due to a coronavirus, many folks have switched to remote work after their employers have offered some options (100% remote or, perhaps, a few days of the week).
What to do if your employer insists on office hours only? What if you have been laid off from your job or just thinking about a different one?
If you'd like to work from home but aren't sure which careers let you operate remotely, here are some of the best ones you should know about.
Even a couple of years back, work from home seemed like a perk for freelancers—not the rest of us. However, with the steady evolution of technology, more and more jobs can now be executed remotely.
If you're hoping to work remotely, look at some work-from-home careers that are in-demand because they pay salaries comparable to on-site jobs.
- Freelance Blogger or Writer
I have used the services of a freelance writer for articles to be utilized on my website. The articles have contained many keyword phrases that are important for search engine optimization (see the next remote work below).
You no longer need to choose between a profitable career and your love for writing and/or blogging. With most companies striving to develop an online presence in the digital world, writing jobs are in high demand.
If you want to get your foot through the door, starting with blogs might be a good idea. If you're persuasive, you can try copywriting, and if you're well-versed in technology, technical writing might be a good fit. With digital products on the rise, UX (User Experience) writing is a booming field. Your problem-solving skills and technical proficiency can come in handy.
Remarkably, there's one skill that binds together all successful writers: they must be proficient in the use of technology and in a position to leverage it in their writing.
- Web Marketing Consultant
A digital marketing consultant develops, implements, and monitors a business' online marketing strategies. They focus on building marketing initiatives and play a crucial role in understanding a company's target audience and their behavior.
I have recognized the need for the web marketing technique a long time ago, in 1999 when I have begun teaching this subject. Since then, a lot of changes in the world of SEO (search engine optimization) have happened. The influence of Google was overwhelming. However, the popularity of Facebook (Meta now), Twitter, Instagram, and a few other blogs have changed the SEO landscape dramatically.
If you are a business owner, you need to present your company in front of potential clients, and it cannot be done without an online presence. You will need to compete for the so-called “key phrases” that reflect your products or services. For instance, you are looking to buy specific shoes. Opening the search engine page (or just typing in the top bar of a web browser), you type “men’s shoes brown wide”. It will be one of the key phrases for the website where you can find specific types of shoes. And, since you have to compete on several fronts, you will have to apply the SEO technique but also use Twitter, FB, etc.
Believe me, it is a lot of very detailed work, and only Web Marketing pros can do it successfully.
Their job is to create a high-converting sales strategy that helps grow your business through strategy, planning, and the efficient use of digital tools and techniques.
- Web Search Evaluator
Several companies hire web search evaluators to give feedback on internet search results. To elaborate, a web search evaluator helps companies assess whether internet search results are accurate, timely, and comprehensive. Mostly popular as a work-from-home position, web search evaluator roles don't require a lot of experience.
It can be quite a rewarding option for people interested in computer science, research, analytics, and market trends. They rate websites, videos, web pages, maps, and images based on a key performance indicator (KPI) to demonstrate how effectively the rated website or image ranks in internet search results.
- Virtual Assistant aka Virtual Secretary
A virtual assistant does everything from conducting research, scheduling appointments, to creating presentations. While some positions can focus solely on administrative tasks like invoicing clients and managing calendars, others can require a combination of skills: copywriting and social media management (blogging, etc.).
You will need good skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as good people and telephone interaction skills. Most virtual assistants work with several clients at a time, from a location that fits them the best. In that regard, the career offers flexibility and versatility to job-seekers.
- Transcriber (Captioner)
This is quite a detail-oriented job where you transcribe pre-recorded audio, video, and live television programs. You must be able to type accurately as well as quickly to become a captioner.
While some of your work involves transcribing parts, this job involves specialized transcription and is perfect for individuals who'd like a work-from-home career that's not entirely mainstream. Also called steno captioners, captioners use stenotype machines and phonetic keyboards for accuracy.
- Social Media Manager
With almost all companies now have dedicated social media accounts, social media managers are in demand. Companies hire them to maintain their accounts or develop a complete social media strategy involving everything from social media campaigns to brand voice development for podcasts, etc.
If you're creative, detail-oriented, have fresh ideas, and are great with new tools and digital mediums, social media management could be a good fit. You'll be responsible for increasing engagement, social media traffic, and building brand recognition. Many social media managers work for several companies, as the position is flexible and remote.
- Online Trainer/Instructors
About 20+ years ago, I have discovered that I can teach. Not just teach but teach with excitement (to myself and my students). I had not even the slightest clue that fortune will move me in that direction. Try yourself! It’s very rewarding. In fact, I consider teaching as one of my greatest achievements in life.
The role of an online educator is identical to traditional teachers in developing curriculums, monitoring student performance, and providing instruction on specific subjects and specializations. The key difference lies in the medium in which the educators operate.
Perfect for anyone with a teaching degree or specialization in core competency, online educators teach students via online platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
If you have any profession that can be taught over the Internet, see what you can do and share your best experience. It can even be the language you are proficient with!
- Web Designer or Web Developer
If you have web development skills or want to take a few online courses and get hands-on, you may have a great career online.
Not long ago, the web developer roles used to be on-site roles. However, with the popularity of digital nomads and remote roles, web developer positions are now suited best for a work-from-home career. As a web developer or a programmer, your job is to create the software (for desktop Operating systems) build websites, and applications (for Android or iPhones) by writing code, debugging it and deploying it.
You employ one or more programming languages to build a product or service, or specific parts of it. While web developers operate in agile teams, everyone has specific tasks they are assigned to.
- Graphic Designer
As most companies are trying to increase their digital presence, the demand for good graphic designers in computer systems designs and related services is on the rise.
Almost all graphic design jobs are going remote, thus giving designers the flexibility to work from a place of their choice. You can also create and sell templates, be a design consultant for several companies, or design fonts, pre-made logo packages, and printable items.
- Product Reviewer
Surprisingly, you can make a decent living by reviewing the products that you use. Choose a niche and register yourself on a site that provides product review gigs. You have to come up with ideas for new products, review products, provide opinions on advertising campaigns, and more.
Companies also hire product reviewers to review products that are in the testing phase. They ship you the products and pay you an amount that's mutually agreed upon in return for real user feedback.
Work From Home Careers Are Fast Becoming the Norm
Work from home careers is only expected to rise as they are being preferred by employees and employers alike. They increase productivity, decrease stress, and allow a better work-life balance for employees, while they increase revenues and decrease costs for employers.
No doubt, you should get more educated in each of the named above jobs before applying unless you have already the necessary set of skills.
I specifically do not provide many links because if you want to work online, the search engine should be your friend. So, do your research, and jump into the ocean of online jobs.
The jobs listed above are only some popular “work from home” careers that are gaining traction. You must choose the one that best fits your skill sets, relevant experience, and interest areas.
To become an efficient and productive remote team member, you should also excel in remote working skills by attending free online classes.
Well, OK, I give up! Here are a few links you may find useful:
https://remotewoman.com/ (I have quite a few women among our members)
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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to provide information to interested parties.
Author's Note: Please excuse any typos. I assure you that I will do my best to correct any errors if they were overlooked.