There are people who love showing up at the office, working from 9 in the morning until 6 at night. But for every man or woman who loves the rat race, there’s another who’s looking for jobs from home. If you dream of working from the comfort of your own home, this is the guide for you.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How to get started finding jobs from home
- What experience you’ll need to begin a home based business
- How to earn a living in your pajamas
Don’t fire your boss just yet – first, read this guide to the best jobs you can do from home. Then, decide if taking the plunge into a home-based business is right for you.
1. Bookkeeping
If you love crunching numbers, bookkeeping is one of the best jobs from home you can start with. Of course, you’ll need to be good at what you do – no one wants their A/R and A/P messed up! But if you’ve got a little experience in the field, or if you attended school for bookkeeping, you can start working from home.
Check with your local regulatory offices to find out what sort of licenses and certifications you may need. You might need a college degree in your area, but you may not in others. Do a little legwork and get the required education under your belt. Then get to work!
Put your name out there with local small businesses first. These business owners don’t often have the time to keep their own books, nor do they have the staff to cover the job. Then, as you grow your client base, expand to national clients and larger businesses.
- Sometimes you don’t even need a college degree to get started with bookkeeping – you just need a knack for number crunching
- You can work from home a majority of the time, unless you’re meeting with clients
- Start small with local businesses, then build your way up to a larger client base
2. Translator
Are you fluent in more than one language? If so, you’re in high demand! One of the most exciting jobs from home is working as a translator. You can work with court systems, with web developers, with medical experts and even with the government if you’re fluent and eloquent in another language than your native tongue.
If you’d prefer a job that allows you to stay home all the time, consider teaching your language to a person from another nation. You’ll “meet” via apps like Skype or Zoom and have daily or weekly lessons. In addition to teaching someone your own beautiful language, you’ll be able to interact with people from all over the globe.
Don’t limit yourself, either! If you speak Russian and Portuguese, you can tutor someone from Portugal, Brazil or Mozambique. Put your name out there online or join one of the online platforms to land your first gig as a translator or a foreign language teacher.
- In this global economy, translators are in high demand, whether you work in the legal system, in retail or in big business
- You can become a translator in many fields or can teach your language to an international student
- Translation is one of the most exiting jobs from home because there’s something new every day
3. Virtual assistant
If you have experience in administrative duties – or even if you don’t – you can become a virtual assistant. This is one of the jobs from home that you can pretty much do in your pajamas, so long as you’re not on a video call!
Virtual assistants are jacks and jills of all trades. As a virtual assistant, you’ll schedule appointments, manage your supervisor’s calendar, respond to emails and more. Bear in mind that you’ll likely be at the mercy of your supervisor for more hours than you’d expect working a “normal” job, so keep your phone handy! But the payoff is that you get to work from home full time and get paid hourly as with an office job.
You can find personal assistant jobs online or in your area newspaper – just search the listings. If there’s a company you have in mind that you’d like to work for, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and ask if they’re in need of someone with your skills.
- With the exception of video calls, you can work in your pajamas as a virtual assistant!
- You’ll work longer hours than you would in an office job, but you’ll be at home the whole time
- As a virtual assistant, it’s best if you have some administrative management experience
4. Freelance graphic designer
Freelance designers are everywhere. Some are more skilled than others, though, and that’s where you come in. If you have a true talent for art and design, you can have a job from home as a freelance graphic designer.
Freelance graphic designers can work on a range of projects, from book covers to social media ad campaigns. The more talented ones will get hired on by the “big companies” to create marketing collateral and other deliverables.
All you need to get started in graphic design is some great software and an eye for art. Then, let your creativity do the rest as you reach out to others and market your expertise to bring a little design to the world around you.
- Freelance graphic designers specialize in a wide range of projects
- You can work for individuals like authors or big companies with ads and marketing
- You don’t need experience to become a graphic designer, but you do need talent as an artist
5. Call center representative
Not all call center reps work in call centers anymore. In fact, these jobs from home are some of the fastest growing in the job market. You can work from home answering your phone, and get paid to do it while you’re drinking your fifth cup of coffee!
Call center representatives can work in retail, finance, sales, insurance or a number of other industries. Our best suggestion for you is to stick with what you’re good at. If you’re currently in, say, wireless sales, why not translate that knowledge to a call center position you can do from home?
You’ll need some special equipment to be a call center rep, so be sure you read the job description carefully. For instance, you usually can’t use a cell phone and you may need a wired internet connection. Be sure you have what it takes to succeed before you apply.
- Call center reps don’t always work in call centers anymore
- You can work from home fielding customer service calls for banks, retail stores and more
- You’ll need special equipment in most cases, so check the job description carefully
6. Freelance writer
Not everyone can be a freelance writer, just as not just anyone can be a graphic designer. But if you’re truly good at writing and expressing ideas, you can be a freelance writer working in a wide range of fields.
Some freelance writers choose to specialize. For instance, some may do medical writing while others may do technical writing. Still other professionals choose to write about a broad range of topics, in a variety of formats. You may write press releases, email drip campaigns, social media ads or blog posts.
Remember that you must be good at writing to become a freelance writer. If you feel like you need to brush up a little on your skill as a writer, consider taking a class online or at your community college. A refresher course on the basics of grammar can go a long way. Once you do, freelance writing is one of the most fun jobs from home.
- Freelance writers cover a variety of topics, but some choose to specialize
- You may write blog posts, press releases or just about anything else
- Be sure you have a command of your language before you begin work as a freelance writer
7. Website designer
Pretty much anyone can look at a platform like WordPress and figure it out. But not everyone has time to do so. What that means is that business owners may not have the time or the desire to put together a website for their business – that’s where you come in.
Web design is one of the easier jobs from home you can start if you don’t get to elaborate. Sure, you could dive into Java, CSS or C# programming, but you truly don’t have to. All you’ll need is a hosting service you love and an eye for what looks and feels good on a computer (and mobile) screen.
Then, put your knowledge to use. Contact area businesses and begin to build a portfolio of websites you’ve built – simple informational sites that introduce local companies to the world. After that, simply watch your business grow!
- You don’t need to learn to code to become a web designer
- Start working with local businesses to build a portfolio of websites to show others
- Keep it simple – find a good hosting provider and use a platform like WordPress to launch your business
8. Travel agent
Yes, that’s right. If you love planning vacations and are well-travelled yourself, you’d make a fantastic travel agent. See, what travel agents don’t tell you – particularly the independent ones – is that they have access to the same discount sites and travel booking sites that you do. They just know how to use them.
Begin with your friends. Do you have a friend who’s planning a trip to Sicily? Have you been? Even if you haven’t, you can still organize the travel for your friend. Charge a flat rate or a percentage of the total cost – that’s up to you – and build an itinerary for your friend including cheap flights, great hotel rates and discounts on attractions if desired.
Better yet, do this for your friend for free in exchange for some word of mouth advertising. Travel planning as a travel agent is one of the most exciting jobs from home, and you can travel vicariously through others.
- Imagine a job from home where you can just daydream about travel – that’s a travel agent!
- You have access to the same discounts as the pros do – use them
- You can charge a flat fee or a percentage of the cost of the trip, that’s up to you
9. Tutor
If you’re good at math, grammar, science or any other topic, you can be an online tutor. This is one of the jobs from home you’ll need to get dressed for as you’ll be video conferencing with your students. Still, though, you can do it from your couch with a mug of hot cocoa and no one will care.
Tutoring jobs are easier to come by than you might think. Just go to the local high school or college and you’ll see that many students are looking for a little extra help. And these days, what student wouldn’t want to do that online instead of in person? Very few!
Check with your local requirements to see if you’ll need a degree to be a tutor. Generally speaking, though, you’ll just need an advanced knowledge of a subject in order to tutor students in science, writing and more.
- You usually don’t need a degree to be a tutor
- You can work from home as a tutor, but will probably need to change from your pajamas!
- Check with local authorities to determine if you need special licensing to work from home as a tutor
10. Therapist
Therapist jobs are jobs from home you can only get if you’re licensed in your area to do so. You’ll typically have to have a college degree and certain credentials in order to work as a therapist. If you don’t, you risk getting into big trouble.
That said, if you’re already a therapist or are in training to become one, why not consider doing your job from home? You can use one of many venues to help your patients, from chat and text to video conference and phone. All the while, you’ll be at home in your own office.
Keep in mind that not everyone wants an online therapist. It’s a new trend, but it’s growing. Expect to first join a platform online that advertises online therapy, then work to branch out on your own.
- You’ll need a degree and certifications to become an online therapist
- There are many methods of consultation with clients you can use, from chat to video calls
- Online therapy is a new, but growing, trend so be prepared for a slightly slow start
11. Franchise owner
If you’ve got some money squirreled away, you can easily take advantage of one of the quickest ways to get started in jobs from home: franchise ownership. Franchise owners own locations of the “big names” in retail, restaurants and more, like McDonald’s, KFC or even certain chains of fitness centers!
Again, you’ll need a large initial investment. Upfront, you’ll need to put in anywhere from $20,000 to over a million … be prepared! Do your research and find a franchise opportunity that appeals to you, then get started building your business.
Franchise owners can be as hands-on or hands-off as they like. You can be in your physical location or stay at home and direct your team from afar. That’s totally your call. Remember, though, that you still report to the business that supports you, so it’s a little different than owning your own business outright.
- Franchise owners can work from home or in their location – it’s up to them entirely
- You’ll need a rather large initial investment to become a franchise owner, so be prepared to dish out some cash
- Franchise owners report to the businesses they bought into – if that’s not okay with you you’re better off opening your own store or restaurant
12. Child care provider
Here’s one of the jobs from home you may not have thought of: child care provider. There are many, many providers who operate from their own homes, caring for children ranging from infants to upper schoolers.
Child care providers, of course, do have to interact with the outside world. You’ll have parents to deal with, certainly. You’ll also likely have inspections from your locality from time to time, so you’ll have to deal with those government folk from time to time. Additionally, most child care providers are required to obtain education credits on subjects like sleep safety, first aid and even what to do in case of terrorism.
That said, you don’t actually need any experience to be a child care provider in your own home. Establish a safe environment for little ones, then get to work on marketing! When you provide the love, care and education little ones need, your reputation will speak for itself and your business will grow.
- People often forget about child care as a work from home opportunity
- You can care for children from infancy to school age
- You will have to “deal with” people daily, so this is not an entirely solitary job
13. Bed and breakfast owner
You don’t need to live in a mansion to be a bed and breakfast owner. All you’ll need is one or two rooms with attached bathrooms and the desire to pull this off. Decorate, clean and advertise and you’re on your way to hosting others as they celebrate weddings, anniversaries and more.
Look into what’s required of you to list your home as a bed and breakfast. You’ll likely need your kitchen to meet certain standards and pass inspections, and your bedrooms will have to as well. There are probably accessibility issues you’ll need to be mindful of for those with disabilities.
It may cost a bit of money to bring your house up to code before you open as a bed and breakfast. Once you do, though, the sky’s the limit. Host events, decorate themed rooms and more to create an experience guests will keep coming back for.
- You don’t need a huge house to open a bed and breakfast
- You’ll have to check with local safety, hygiene and accessibility requirements before you officially open to avoid fines or even being shut down
- Once you’re open for business, you can do what your home what you like – decorations, events and more are all up to you
14. Transcriptionist
Okay, folks, this isn’t going to be the most interesting of jobs from home for all of you. But if you have an eye for detail and don’t mind repetitive work, you can be a transcriptionist. Choose to be a freelance transcriptionist or sign on with an agency – it’s up to you.
Transcriptionists will need special equipment, including a computer, headphones, a good internet connection and a foot pedal. If you’re a freelancer, you’ll need to provide these things on your own dime. As a member of an agency, you may be able to talk them into supplying some of the items.
As a transcriptionist, you’ll put down in writing anything from phone call recordings to court records or you may be asked to simply transcribe medical documents that are already in writing. We as a human race are transitioning more and more to a digital age, so things that are in pen and ink just don’t cut it anymore. Transcription isn’t the most exciting work in the world, but it’s in high demand.
- Transcription can be tedious, but is a great option for some
- You’ll need special equipment to be a transcriptionist
- If you’re a freelancer, you’ll have to supply the items but an agency could help
15. Blogger
We mentioned that you’ll need a measure of writing expertise if you want to be a freelance writer. However, if you prefer to branch out on your own you can be a blogger and write any way you like! Bloggers have jobs from home that are quite enviable, once they become successful. You, too, can be successful as a blogger with a little work and knowledge.
Bloggers don’t have success accidentally. You can see what we mean by this simply by searching “how to start a blog” online. You’ll need to research your niche, market your site, and figure out how you’re going to monetize it. There’s too much to discuss here, but there is a wealth of information available online to help you get started.
Bloggers can make anywhere from nothing to thousands of dollars each month. The success of your blog will take some time, so patience is an absolute must if blogging is your dream work from home job.
- Blogging can be lucrative, but it takes time to build your blog to a level that will earn you money
- Do your research and find information online that will help you reach your goals
- Do a Google search to find out more information on how to start a successful blog
16. Drop shipping
You know about the big sites like Amazon and Alibaba. But what about those little independent merchants you see popping up online? How are they making their money, and how do they get product to sell?
Well, that’s easy! It’s called drop shipping. You can do it, too, and it’s a relatively low-cost option for jobs from home. You’ll choose a type of product you want to sell and then design a website. Don’t worry, there are platforms out there that can help you do that. Then, choose a drop ship supplier and start selling!
You don’t ever need to touch the inventory that you sell. Your supplier will do that for you. Simply work on marketing your product and managing your inventory, and you’ll see that this is a time-consuming – yet relatively simple – job you can do from home.
- Drop shippers sell product without worrying about managing inventory
- You’re in charge of what you sell and you’ll choose the price you sell it for
- Your supplier will handle the rest, including shipping your product – you just collect the money
17. Create e-books
Nowadays, literally anyone can create e-books to sell online. Major names in publishing like Apple, Amazon and Barnes & Noble allow anyone to publish books for free. Your options will vary depending on where in the world you live.
There are some things you should keep in mind when you self-publish a book. Here are a few pointers:
- Always, always, always have someone proofread your book – no one will buy a shoddily edited or poorly written book
- Be sure you check that the subject matter you’re writing about is accepted by the publisher
- You won’t get rich overnight with this “jobs from home” opportunity – bank on a few hundred dollars each month after you start making sales
- You’ll have to market your own book, so use social media and other venues to do this
- Everyone can self-publish a book … but not everyone should. Be sure your writing is up to par before you attempt to publish your e-book
18. Post videos online
You’re not going to make a mint by posting videos on YouTube. You can make a few dollars per thousand views, but unless you really have something important to say, that’s not the way to go.
Instead, consider publishing and posting online courses or tutorials. You can begin with YouTube, sure. But then try to branch out a little. You’ll find that there are platforms online which allow you to create online courses and get paid when people take them.
The subject matter you choose can be anything at all! Teach people how to sew, to fish, to create a blog or teach people how to fix their Subaru Outback. It truly doesn’t matter – this is one of the jobs from home where you have full creative license, so get to work recording!
- You’re not going to earn a lot of money posting videos on YouTube, but you can start there
- Once you’ve gotten the hand of it, you can create and sell courses or tutorials online
- Use your imagination – you can teach people how to do anything at all! Choose something you’re good at and roll with it
19. Sell your craft
Are you an artsy person who would rather not work with digital art? That’s okay! You can start a lucrative job from home when you begin to sell your artwork – and you don’t have to sell it online, either!
No matter what your craft, there are three ways to do this. First, you could sell your art solely online. Secondly, you can sell your craft at farmer’s markets and other events. Or, thirdly, you could choose a combination of the two.
Choose something you love to do, and test the market. Be sure you do your research, too. The market is saturated with certain things. For instance, it seems as if today everyone and their gerbil is making and selling soap. Be sure you have a unique product, and do it well. The sales will come whether you peddle your produces online or in local shops.
- You can earn a living selling your crafts or your art
- Do market research to price your art and be sure the market isn’t super-saturated
- You can choose to sell online, in person or both – it’s up to you
20. Virtual stylist
You don’t have to leave your house to show off your style and fashion sense. Instead, start one of the most fun jobs from home as a virtual stylist. You can do this on your own or in cooperation with a retailer, that’s up to you.
As a stylist, you’ll do just that. A shopper will come online and have no idea what to purchase. This may be clothing, of course, but it also may be interior design or even landscaping. You will select items for your customer based on their:
- Body type
- Fashion preferences
- Budget
- Geography
- Personal style
- And more
Generally, fashion stylists will charge a commission on items found, but some will simply charge a flat rate, say, $50 per style session. Do your research online and see what others in your area are charging to get a good idea of what you should be billing your clients as a fashion stylist.
This is a fun job and it’s quite rewarding – you may even discover a few styles you love that you’d never seen prior to styling your clients!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways you can enjoy jobs from home – some require no experience at all. Decide how much of your business you want to keep at home and how much you’re willing to interact with others. Then, choose what you love and what you’re good at.
It’s going to take time and marketing in most cases to have success in your at-home business. But firing your boss is worth it in most cases, so test the waters then feel good about taking the plunge!
