Working from home during a pandemic hasn't, in a lot of significant ways, been a picnic exactly. But for a lot of folks, it's also served to stretch their minds about the nature of their jobs and just how essential offices are to performing them. According to a
new released by IBM, as many as 54 percent of Americans want to continue working from home after COVID, and 70 percent want remote work to at least remain a regular option.
Not every job is likely to stay remote in days to come, once the pandemic is finally behind us. Bu there
are plenty of
legitimate work-from-home jobs available if you know where to look. We’ve gathered a few resources and a few job suggestions to get you started.
1. English Teacher
We’re not talking about teaching English literature to high school students — that requires a teaching degree, at the very minimum. But if you’ve got a bachelor’s degree in any subject, a webcam, a microphone and a tolerance for odd hours, you can get a work-at-home job teaching English to students across the globe.
The pay will vary depending on the company you choose, but there are tons of different companies from which to choose, with varying requirements. VIPKID, for example, requires an undergraduate degree and teaching experience, but pays between $18 and $21 per hour. Cambly, on the other hand, is a much more informal teaching experience and pays around $10.20 per hour.
2. Transcriptionist
Do you type quickly and have good hearing? Transcription might be a reliable work-from-home option for you. Most transcription companies require
little to no experience, though you will likely have to pass a typing or transcription test before you can start earning money. All you do is listen to the provided audio files and type out what you hear. Some of the fastest transcriptionists make upwards of $25 per hour.
Medical transcription is another option, depending on where you live, but this form of transcription may require additional training or a certificate program before you can work from home.
3. Copywriter
Nearly everyone needs a website these days to be successful, and not everyone has the skills to write the sort of catchy copy that brings in customers or viewers. If you can write well, a job as a copywriter might be a lucrative way to work from home.
Check out sites like the Pro Blogger Job Board — while there are a lot of gigs that require experience, and even some that require a degree, there are plenty of entry-level options for which to apply, as well.
If you have a way with words and want to write for yourself, consider starting your own
blog as well. With ad revenue, a well-marketed or popular blog can create extremely lucrative opportunities without taking up too much of your time.
4. Driver
You may not want to drive in your pajamas, but there are still a ton of ways you can put your car to work to earn good money and keep a flexible schedule. Here are two:
- Driver — Signing up with apps like Uber and Lyft can be a good way to work whenever you want to, so you can earn some extra cash as a side job.
- Delivery — Instacart and Shipt both hire people to shop for and deliver groceries customers order online. Even Amazon has a program, known as Amazon Flex, that lets you deliver Amazon packages using your car. Amazon Flex is still limited to a few dozen larger cities, so make sure it’s available in your area.
While these jobs technically aren’t working from home, you’re still able to set a schedule for yourself and make money on your terms.
Working in customer service doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do it face-to-face. A lot of companies outsource their phone and email-based customer service to independent contractors working from home. Most of these positions require a computer, high-speed internet access and a headset with a microphone to apply. Some will even require you to have a dedicated Internet line for your work, or insist that no one else in your home can use the Internet while you’re working.
If this sounds like it would work well for you, consider applying with:
- Amazon — Amazon often hires work-from-home customer service during the busy holiday season. Hours are competitive, though, so you may not be able to make this a full-time gig.
- Capital One — The credit card company outsources much of their customer-service
- HGTV — Help customers with their accounts from home.
- U-Haul — You can apply to do customer service for them as young as age 16, as long as you’re enrolled in school or have a GED.
The four companies above are just a small sample of the businesses that outsource their customer service through work-from-home contractors. Do your research first, though — make sure you’re working with an established company to protect yourself from getting caught up in a scam.
Do you enjoy juggling multiple clients? If so, a job as a virtual assistant might be just the opportunity for you. The responsibilities of a self-employed virtual assistant will vary depending on the company, but it could include anything from managing online calendars or folders to handling social media accounts and replying to emails.
7. Personal Shopper
A personal shopper curates clients' wardrobes, much of which can be done online.
8. Consultant
A consultant can help a business meet and exceed its goals by meeting with them virtually to plan and discuss.
9. Social Media Manager
A social media manager handles a brand's social handles such as their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and more.
10. Blogger
A blogger has built his or her own website and works from home building the site up with content, working with advertisers and brands on sponsored content and banners for revenue and engaging with followers on social media.
11. Journalist
A journalist may work for several outlets if they're a freelancer. He or she submits pitches and writes stories to meet editors' deadlines.
12. Photographer
A photographer works with brands, people, businesses and all kinds of clients to shoot, edit and produce photography, all of which can be done on a computer from a home studio.
13. Data Entry Clerk
A lot of companies need someone to analyze and enter information into computer databases for effective record keeping.
14. IT Professional
IT professional work on computers and with technology of all forms, so most of their work can be done remotely.
15. Artist
An artist comes in many forms — traditional forms like painting or even music — and so long as they have the equipment at home, they can do their work from home. Any exhibitions or shows would be held elsewhere, but they can practice from home.
16. Editor
Editors work with writers to make revisions and provide feedback.
17. Tutor
Tutors can work with students online to help them with their homework or teach them new languages. There are tons of sites parents use to hire virutal tutors, as well as sites that companies use to hire tutors for foreign exchange students like VIP Kid.
18. Web Development
A web developer is a programmer who specializes the development of World Wide Web applications, which run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser.
19. Search Engine Evaluator
Search engine evaluators handle the search engine optimization of content for brands and their websites. This helps boost the visibility for these brands in search engines.
20. E-commerce Professional
E-commerce professionals sell stuff online, such as on eBay or Amazon.
Online job boards such as FlexJobs.com are a good place to start when looking for a virtual assistant position, as well as sites like Upwork.com. Expect to start small and work your way up, but if you can set yourself apart from the other applicants, you might be able to turn a VA job into a full-time gig making $10 to $15 per hour.
So there
is real work available to people interested in home-based work or telecommuting from anywhere so long as you have a high-speed internet connection. These legitimate
work from home jobs will earn you a real income or, at least, some extra money. Whether you go with an online job as an online tutor, become a freelance writer or social media marketer for different businesses, start your own website, find an online job as a virtual assistant, open your own home-based business, or something else entirely, all of this legit work will earn you extra money.
Just make sure you protect yourself when you’re applying for a work-from-home job. While there are plenty of legitimate options out there, just as many scams looking to waste your time or steal your information. Be wary of any company that offers things like health insurance, paid vacation and other perks to their independent contractors — in most cases, only full-time employees are eligible for those benefits, and if you’re a contractor or freelancer, you’re not a full-time employee.
Working from home can provide some fantastic opportunities, though. You’ll certainly end up having more time for yourself, because you’re not wasting time and money on a daily commute. Find a niche that suits you, and you’ll be enjoying a new work-from-home position in no time.