Working from home is now easier than before because exposure to work at home jobs has multiplied. A wide variety of job ads are just a click away, and half are not scams.
In the same time, there’s no shortage of workers who dream of beating the odds and earning a living from home. The typical work at home job seekers include parents who want to spend more time with their children, expat wives, retirees needing supplemental income, people with disabilities.
It’s not easy to be a good parent and simultaneously work at home well, because most jobs require blocks of uninterrupted time to complete tasks, and children’s schedules are less than predictable. For those who do choose to walk the tightrope between paid work and parenting, consider deadline-oriented work.
- Read more: How to work from home and look good doing it
Social introverts also make good candidates for work at home jobs. They like working with people but they like interacting by email and by being on the phone. They dislike working in person with a lot of others, because of meetings and other time consuming problems at an office.
Self-motivation, discipline, job skills and independence are key traits for people who choose work at home jobs.
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A growing number of employers appears to believe telecommuting is a good arrangement for them, as well. It cuts overhead costs, allows access to talented workers who may not be available locally, provides off-hours support and helps retain employees.
Consider these 9 jobs — some rather traditional and others unexpected — for engaging work from home and good earning prospects.
Virtual assistant
This is a job with much potential, in part because the title description covers many things. One can even own a virtual assistant business or work from home for a company that makes you available to other employers or clients. Small businesses hire virtual assistants to help when they can’t justify a permanent employee.
Translator
People with fluency in more than one language translate audio files or documents, not just word for word, but often with cultural differences in mind. Companies can access home-based translators with hard-to-find language skills without being held back by geographic location.
Web developer/designer
Information technology is the sector where most of the home-based hiring is being done. You can offer services such as custom website design, template modification and redesigns, code updates, hosting and usability reviews. Out of the many new monthly work from home job postings, developers are in high demand.
- Read more: How to Make Money Online
Call center representative
When you phone to order something from a catalog or infomercial, a big office with rows of cubicles may come to mind. But the person on the other end of the line is likely to be sitting in a home office. Companies nowadays hire independent contractors to take calls from home.
While some websites actually hire representatives, most use subcontractors. Just be aware that the pay may be by the minute rather than by the hour, so you may not be paid for time you spend waiting by the phone.
Tech support specialist
Call centers also hire technical support specialists to work remotely.
Travel agent
Scams abound in the travel industry — particularly organizations that charge for information on how to break into the field. But operating a home-based travel agency can be an excellent business. A growing, although still small, number of people earn $100,000 or more a year. A solid business concept and plan focused on profitability will take you a long way to achieving your monetary goals. There’s also the joy of helping others enjoy their leisure time.
Teacher
From postsecondary education to elementary schools, there are opportunities for students to learn virtually. Along with that comes opportunities to teach (and tutor) virtually. While distance learning is not new, advanced technology, collaborative multimedia software designed for schools and high-speed Internet connections have created more opportunities for teachers and students to work together from afar.
Income depends on how many hours you’re applying to it and the type of classes you’re teaching, but especially in Dubai education is a big business.
Writer/editor
Yes, the print publishing industry has been suffering there are frequent listings these days for writing, editing and proofreading, particularly for the internet. Even those without writing experience can join the blogosphere. Not only can blogging be lots of fun but also there’s money to be earned blogging for someone else’s site, getting paid to post on your own blog or through revenue-sharing arrangements.
- Read more: Blogging
Franchise owner
It’s a no-brainer: Owning a business can be the road to at home work. For an initial investment, franchises may offer a ready made business with brand awareness, a system and a territory. Consider businesses that target the over-50 crowd or the self-employed, involve health and wellness, relate to the “green” movement, or involve electronic or online devices.
