5 Industries that Will Let You Work from Home
Imagine waking up in the morning, rolling out of bed, and pouring yourself a hot cup of coffee before settling down to start your workday while still in your pajamas. It might sound too good to be true—especially, if you’ve spent years rushing around to get ready for work before having to deal with a chaotic commute to the office. Just think: no more wasted time in traffic, no more courtesy chats with annoying coworkers, no more supervisors standing over your shoulder…it’s just you, your computer, and the comfort of your own chair, couch, bed, or wherever else you choose to call your office for the day.
The reality is, working from home doesn’t have to be something you just dream about. There are more remote/telecommuting jobs now than ever before, and opportunities are available in just about every field of work you can think of. So, whether you’re searching for your first job or looking to change course on your current career path, start by checking out these five industries that will let you work from home.
1. Web content / web design
Content is king, and design isn’t far behind. As you begin your search for a work-from-home job, you’ll soon discover there is no shortage of opportunities within this industry—many of which will allow you to work exclusively offsite. Copywriters, original content creators, and the web designers who bring life to the websites which host the content are in constant demand. In fact, at any given moment there are more positions available than there are professionals to fill them. If you’re looking for a job allowing you to showcase your creative talents within the digital realm—all without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home—this is the industry for you.
2. Customer service / tech support
Are you a good communicator? Do enjoy helping others? Does it fill you with pride when you find the perfect solution to someone else’s problem? If so, a customer service or tech support job may be a good fit for you.
Many companies are abandoning cubicle-filled call centers and are actively recruiting employees that wish to exclusively telecommute. Whether you want to assist customers by phone or online through text, there are an abundance of remote work opportunities available within this field.
3. Transcription service
If you’re detail-oriented and a talented typist with a good ear, look into being a transcriptionist. From transcribing complex legal proceedings to translating recordings of an executive’s garbled notes into text, you should not only be able to find a work-from-home job in this industry, but also one within a specific field of interest. You’ll probably have to take a typing test which will be graded for accuracy before you’ll be hired, but other than that, these positions typically don’t require any prior experience.
4. Administrative assisting/coordinating
Administrative assisting/coordinating is another great industry with plenty of remote work positions available. These jobs are a perfect choice for well-organized professionals who also pay attention to detail. Responsibilities typically include scheduling appointments, responding to emails, coordinating travel, and managing any other minutia your boss will be too busy to deal with—and, all of these tasks can be completed from the comfort of your couch or at the corner coffee shop—no office required.
5. Translation service
Whether it’s freelance work or a full-time position, if you’re fluent in multiple languages, you’ll have no trouble finding a stay-at-home job as a translator. A wide range of opportunities exist—from translating a popular novel to converting a company’s marketing materials to another language. Whatever you choose, you can put your language skills to work without ever having to leave your home.
These examples are just a handful of the jobs which will allow you to work from home, and are a great place to start your job search. However, thanks to the Internet, you’ll find endless opportunities for remote work from almost every industry.