Finding a Job That Lets You Work From Home

The first step to starting your parents home office is to find a job where you can work from home, with enough flexibility to manage your kids as well. With the advent of the Internet, there are more opportunities than ever to be your own boss and to give your kids the attention they demand. Here are some broad suggestions and leads for specific jobs that might appeal to you.

Search Local

While doing extensive Google searching on work from home opportunities can turn up leads, there are likely thousands of others out there like you, reading about the same jobs. This makes for some keen competition, and it means you’ll have to cast your net much wider if you really hope to land a gig. Instead, first consider mining your local community for work at home positions; many businesses could use the help of a telecommuter, but they like the flexibility of meeting their employees in person from time to time, to maintain a more personal working relationship.

Hit up Craigslist for job postings in your city or county, and try checking the “telecommute” search box and see what comes up. Office assistants, writers, and personal assistants are some of the work-from-home opportunities you’re likely to find.

Start Your Own Web Business

It can be quite scary to consider actually starting your own business if you’ve worked for someone else your entire life. The Internet has made it much easier than ever before, however, eliminating the need for a storefront or much capital investment. One clever Web-based business we recently heard about consisted of a two parents who realized how many gently used, name-brand children’s clothes they and their friends sent to the thrift store. They started a Web business selling boxes of these clothes online to frugal parents.

Look at your own resources, your interests, and what you enjoy doing, and consider how they could be made into a business. For inspiration, check out magazines like Inc. and Entrepreneur, where you can find stories of successful small business and their strategies.

Be a Blogger

Being a blogger, and actually making money off of it, isn’t easy. If you’re a natural writer and feel that you have some original, interesting wisdom to share with the world at large, though, it can be a good venture to take a stab at. When starting your blog, consider combining it with other jobs or money-making avenues, as the blog is unlikely to generate much dough at first. Here are some guides for monetizing a blog:

Be a Freelance Writer

There are many ways you can jump into the freelance writing world. First, consider what skills or knowledge you have that is unique to you. Have a background in environmental issues? A penchant for post-punk new wave music? Check out freelancing gigs on Craigslist; blogs, websites, and magazines are often looking for competent writers to bring fresh insight to their medium.

You could also delve into the world of Internet content writing. Large companies like Demand Studios and About.com hire many writers to churn out articles on pre-determined topics. Many similar smaller companies exist, as well. Be aware that the pay is often per article or royalty based; you’ll only really start making money after you build up your writing speed.

Be a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is basically like an office administrator or secretary, but one that works from home. They answer office phones, teleconference with managers, answer emails, schedule meetings, and anything else that an in-person administrator might do. If you don’t have previous office experience, you’ll need to work on your skills before delving into this field.

More Ideas

 

Sources:

Real work-at-home jobs. (2011) MSN.

Back to top