Gone are the days when careers meant going to the office five or six times a week. Many people now opt for jobs that allow you to work from home. Companies have also begun to follow suit.
You will notice that more people are quitting their 9-to-5 jobs. Websites that offer work-from-home careers are gaining more popularity. Is this the end of a tradition?
What is causing this change, and why are people switching to this kind of setup?
If you look at the bigger picture, the main tasks that you do at the office can be done at home. You can still exchange emails with bosses and clients, hold meetings through video calls, and more. All you need is a computer, a stable internet connection, and a proper workspace.
Hence, jobs that require you to be at the office have become less relevant. Not only does it save you travel time and travel expenses, but it also cuts back on company costs.
Which one is right for me?
If you are looking for a career that allows you to work from home, there are plenty to choose from. You will be surprised by your options. Read on to find out.
Virtual Assistant
One of the most necessary careers is being an assistant. Assistants help keep businesses under control, organized, and complete. Whether a business has a physical office or operates online, it still needs assistants. This is why virtual assistants are always in demand.
The tasks of virtual assistants vary. It can include responding to inquiries on social media, handling documents, disseminating information, and sending out emails.
If you are up for the challenge, and you have the ability to multitask, then this job is right for you. Take note, your salary will largely depend on your boss and your job description.
Travel Agent
It is easy to travel nowadays. Flights are more affordable, accommodations are easier to find, and places are more accessible than ever. But with the convenience of traveling comes the need for travel agents.
Travel agents make travelers’ lives easier. They provide support to anyone who plans to go on a trip. This support includes booking flights, rental cars, cruise trips, and accommodations. It can also go as far as recommending places to visit and planning out an entire adventure.
Basically, your clients’ trips will largely depend on you.
If you like adventures and customer service, then this work-from-home career is right for you. You can choose to work on business trips or leisure trips. You can also focus on particular destinations that you are most knowledgeable about.
Social Media Manager
Many businesses are now on social media. They use it to reach out to more customers and to promote their products and services. Apart from the convenience it brings, it requires zero to minimal fees.
However, not all businesses can start a page, let alone maintain one. It is time-consuming and very demanding. They need someone else to do the work.
A social media manager is someone in charge of a business’s social media pages. Responsibilities include uploading photos, writing captions, updating posts, and responding to clients. These tasks may sound easy, but they come with a lot of pressure.
As a social media manager, you will be responsible for the company’s reputation. Every move you make is seen by the public and is always open to scrutiny. If you have a lot of patience, apart from the skills required, then give this career a try.
Writer
The skill of writing is a basic necessity on the internet. Everything you do on it requires some writing. If you want to create a blog, you need to write. If you want to chat with someone, you need to write. If you want to apply for a job, you need to write all the more.
However, not everyone has the skill. This is why writers are hired left and right.
If you want to make writing your career, you will land projects easily. Plenty of websites are always in need of fresh content. You can choose to do blog writing, journal writing, or creative writing, to mention a few.
This career is also great for people who want a flexible schedule. Clocking in work hours is not necessary. All you have to do is submit each project within the given deadline.
Graphic Designer
A graphic designer tells stories through visuals. They design flyers, billboards, logos, posters, websites, business cards, magazines, mobile apps, video games–you name it!
As fun as it may seem, it is also very challenging. Aside from talent, you must have great communication skills. You need to capture what your client wants and translate it into visuals.
One misconception about this career is that you must have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. However, many designers today never even went to design school. They are mostly self-taught or took certificate courses.
If you have a knack for aesthetics, fonts, colors, and finer details, then you should explore graphic design.
Translator
Translators are experts in both languages and communication. They translate materials from one language to another. These materials may be written or spoken.
Although translating materials may sound like a breeze, it takes skill, passion, hard work, and experience to be one. You are translating not just words, but also thoughts and feelings.
If you want to take on this career, you can work for an agency or be self-employed. Either way, you are mostly given projects with strict deadlines. You may also choose which industry you want to translate for. Among these are medical and educational services.
Are you fluent in two languages or more? Then, you have a work-from-home career that awaits you.
Not sure what to pick? Take a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more ideas.
What do you think?
There are more careers out there that allow you to work from home. You can do extensive research to find what suits you best, professionally, and financially. It also helps to be updated with emerging trends to stay in the game.