How To Find a Work From Home Job
More than ever, people are seeking work from home jobs. In fact, many consider a work from home to be the holy grail of careers. Follow these tips and you might be able to get paid while staying in your pajamas all day.
1. Know What Jobs are Available
Before you can begin the search for a work from home job, you need to know a little about the jobs that are out there. Not every position can be done from home.
That said, there are more work from home jobs than you might imagine. If you're an accountant, you won't find it difficult to get a remote position. The same is true for writers and marketers.
Surprisingly, many work at home jobs are entry level positions. For instance, you can get a job doing audio transcription even if you lack experience. Data entry positions and virtual assistant jobs also may not require experience.
Other jobs, like sales or medical billing, may demand some experience. Depending on your work history, it could be difficult for you to get a remote position.
2. Figure Out Which Job Suits Your Skills
Once you know which jobs are available, you can consider what jobs for your skills. If you're currently employed, what's your position? Are there remote jobs available in your field? You can always do a quick online search to determine whether or not your job could be done remotely.
If you need to switch careers, there are plenty of options available. Before you start looking, think about your skill sets. Are you good with people? If so, consider looking for a job as a customer service representative or sales person. Are you good with organization? If so, virtual assisting could be perfect for you.
Think about everything you do on a daily basis for your current employer. Then, make a list of all the tasks you do and the skills you need to accomplish them. You might be surprised with the variety. Finally, cross-reference your skills with other remote positions. Do any of the common work from home jobs rely on your skills? There's a good chance that you're highly qualified for some of the available positions.
3. Create a Resume and Cover Letter
Because remote jobs are so coveted, it can be difficult to be offered a position. You might be up against a long list of qualified candidates. To improve your chances of success, you need to have a resume and cover letter that stands out.
While you should send a unique cover letter for every job, you need a template to start from. Create a cover letter that's enthusiastic, professional, and unique. When you apply for a position, add a few sentences that make it clear you read the job description. Generally, an employer can tell when someone hasn't taken the time to create a custom cover letter.
Your resume is just as important as your cover letter. If you haven't updated your resume in a while, take a close look at it. What can you add to it? Are there any skills you can mention that pertain to remote jobs? Regardless of which remote job you apply for, communication is crucial. On your resume, make it clear that you communicate well.
4. Know How to Search
Searching for work from home jobs is a tricky task. Although there are many remote jobs available, finding them isn't easy. You need to know where to look and what to look for.
First, you need to find a job search engine that has a variety of positions available. While you can find jobs on social media and websites like Craigslist, you won't find the majority of listings. You need a reliable website that has real jobs and not just scams. If you see a job listing that promises thousands of dollars a week, you're probably looking at a scam.
Once you find a reliable place to search for jobs, know what to look out in the search bar. Typing in "work from home jobs" won't get you all the results. Some companies consider them remote positions or telecommuting jobs. If you don't use a variety of search terms, you will only be seeing a small portion of the jobs.
Finally, you should keep an open mind. Although it's fine to search for specific positions, you don't need to limit your search. Take a look at what's available. Your ideal work from home job might be something you've never heard of before. Additionally, don't be afraid to apply for positions that prefer more experience or education than you have. If you stand out in other ways, your lack of experience or education may not matter.
5. Be Confident
Whether you've never worked remotely or you're a seasoned professional, have confidence. As you write your cover letters and communicate with potential employers, exude an aura of confidence. You can't expect an employer to hire you if you don't seem like you can handle the position.
While confidence matters for regular job searches, it's particularly important for remote searches. You're dealing with a saturated market, so you need to stand out. Furthermore, an employer might only be basing their decision on a phone interview. They can't read body language or look into your eyes. Instead, they only hear the time of your voice or see a pixelated image on a screen.
Because your prospective employer won't see you in an office, they need to know that you'll be confident enough to learn quickly. If you don't seem to have faith in your skills, they won't trust you.
Getting Started on Your Job Search
Working from home can change your life. When you find a work from home job, you can spend more time with your family and less time in the car. You save money on transportation, meals, and clothes. But you can't experience those benefits if you don't start the job search. If you follow these tips and start applying for jobs, it's only a matter of time before you start working from home.