To survive in today’s world, one must have an income. In order to have an income, that means you’re going to have to find a job. Sadly, almost all jobs require some form of human interaction. Whether you’re writing a book or flipping a burger, it all goes to please another person: like it or not.
For some of us, the thought of face-to-face contact is so treacherous that it can make us physically ill. Everyone wants to put a label on everything, and more often than not, we’re termed as “anti-social” or “introverted.” I’m okay with whatever you want to call it, but I’m not okay with saying that it’s an actual problem. Some people just like to be alone, and luckily, there are plenty of ways for us to make a living solo.
After doing some research on the matter, I’ve come up with a list of jobs that sound like they’d be suitable for people who hate working with other people. These are only suggestions. There is no guarantee that any of these would actually be suitable for you personally.
Related content: 10 Remote Jobs Where You Don’t Need to Leave the House
1. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing could be a great job for someone who hates dealing with people. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you would be successful. Writing is an art, which as we know is one of the most challenging fields there are to date.
There’s a big difference between a writer and a successful writer. Most writers still work a day job. Successful writers typically do not.
But if you choose freelance writing, you aren’t out to please anyone. If people like you, great. If they don’t, big deal.
2. Blogger
Blogging isn’t a “get rich” scheme by any means. In fact, most bloggers don’t earn a penny from their blogs. However, there are hundreds of ways to earn money from blogging, all of which take time.
If you’re interested in blogging, I can tell you that it can be perfect for people who don’t like to interact with other people. Don’t get me wrong, talking to people via the internet can be just as hellacious as communicating in person, and often it’s even worse. But there are options that you have that can limit your person-to-person contact with cyber folk. I’m not saying that these would be financially beneficial and in fact, they may even hurt you in the long run. But they are options.
Things like:
- Deactivating your comments or just not reading or replying to comments.
- Little interaction on social media. I say “little” because, in all honesty, social media is pretty important when trying to get traffic to your blog.
3. Transcriptionist
As a new transcriptionist, you’re more than likely going to have to have a little experience under your belt before you can branch off into working from home. Working from home is ideal for people who hate people because, well, there’s no one else around.
Even if you score a job at a facility working as a transcriptionist, you’ll still be working mostly independently. I remember when I worked at a doctor’s office as a medical assistant, I always wanted to switch places with one of their medical transcriptionists. She always complained about going back to working in the “dungeon” (basement) because it was so dark and lonely. Dark and lonely is my kind of heaven.
Related Content: 8 Work-at-Home Typing Jobs for Fast and Accurate Typists
4. Reseller
Reselling items is how I earn most of my income. I buy things cheaply and resell them to people on the internet or in my little booth that I pay monthly rent for at a local antique/collectible store.
It’s all rainbows and butterflies until someone isn’t happy. The only time that I have to deal with unhappy customers is via the Internet. And boy, do I dread those times. I don’t believe in the phrase, “the customer is always right.” It’s an overused and abused statement. What people should say is: “The customer always thinks they’re right.”
That’s why I love my booth at the store so much. I pay monthly rent, price my own items, place them in the store, and leave. Someone else handles the customers, and I never have to hear a single complaint.
Related Content: How This Husband-Wife Team Earned 130K Flipping Flea Market Finds
5. Housekeeper
If you don’t mind leaving the comfort of your home, housekeeping is a good job for people who hate dealing with others. Sure, you’re on your feet all day, and I’m sure you witness a fair share of gross moments, but the luxury of the job is that it is almost complete solitude. It’s almost the perfect job for people who hate people. And plus, cleaning has always been oddly enjoyable to me.
The downside is that you’re likely to have a few unavoidable encounters with homeowners. Just don’t make eye contact. (Only joking).
On the other hand, if you decide to open your own cleaning business, you’ll need a decent amount of customer service in order to attract and maintain customers. There’s more to just cleaning when you’re the face of the company.
6. Photographer
Photography is a great way to earn a living if you’re good at it. There are several stock photo websites where you can upload your photos, and if they’re accepted and downloaded, then you get paid. One website that I know of is called istockphoto.com.
Scenery, food, and animals are all good examples of non-human things to be photographed.
Conclusion
Whether you have anxiety, are introverted, or just prefer to work alone, this list of ideas will have you making money in ways that support your personality.
Jennifer
I would add my perfect job to this list. I’m a transcript proofreader for court reporters. I never have to interact with anyone except through email, and I get to work from literally anywhere in the world as long as I have internet access. I am a veterinarian and stopped practicing 12 years in due to PEOPLE.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Jennifer, Thanks for adding an occupation to the list! If anyone is interested in proofreading legal transcripts — I have a post on it here: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/caitlin-pyle/
JSS
I hate people and I’m a therapist, go figure lol. I can deal with my clients even though some drive me nuts, it’s the agencies I’ve worked for that are all b.s. and the people are always atrocious. Desperately want to be self employed, but can’t yet. Don’t know how to cope dealing with the people in these agencies another day!!!!
Erin
This is coming from someone who also can’t stand people. Take it one day at a time.
Rebecca
Hello! Enjoy your posts very much!! I am a nurse too, and I just had back surgery so I am looking into working from home! Permanently as I do not want to commute anymore. Any posts specific to nurses finding work from jobs would be great to read! Thanks so much!
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Rebecca, You’re in luck — we have a post dedicated to remote nursing jobs: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/remote-jobs-nurses/ Good luck and keep us posted!
Tyler @ Oddball Wealth
Great ideas. I always wanted to try my hand at photography. Do you need to have a special camera to make money selling photos? Or, do some people just use the camera on their smartphone? Just curious…
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Tyler, There are some apps that allow you to make money taking photos with your smartphone, but I’d say if you’re serious about making money with photography you’ll need to invest in a good camera. Here is a list of sites that you can sell your photos to: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/selling-photos/ Good luck and keep us posted.
Desiree
I don’t want to deal with people at all. I get enough of that from my day job. Are there any data entry companies that are hiring?
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Desiree: Check out this post. It covers data entry type opportunities: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/typing-jobs/
Shana
But then at the same time, I hate people so much that I am irritated by the fact that I agree with this post… Go figure…
Lily
This is great,I also believe it’s OK to want to be alone. I was a nurse for 35 years and now I hate people. 2 more suggestions long haul truck driver and night watch man/woman .
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
I’m a nurse too, Lily. I enjoy working from home a million times more =) Thanks for the suggestions!
Eva North
I hate to tell ya on the truck driver aspect, but they do still have to deal with people, between brokers, dispatch, companies you deliver or pick up to/from and of course, the restaurant people you eat at. My husband thought that to, and now, he’s been driving off and on for almost 25yrs.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Ohhh, thanks for sharing that insight, Eva! I would have thought being a truck driver would be a very solitary position.
Eva North
It can be while you’re driving, but when stopping at truck stops, deliveries, etc, not so solitary…. As a wife of a truck driver though, I’m looking for good, flexible, work from home positions, such as, writing for beginners/newbies, chat agent positions, transcription, internet research or VA’s or personal concierge
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Eva,
Have you checked out these posts?
Writing: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/paid-writing-gigs/
Writing No Experience: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/make-money-freelancing/
Chat Agent Jobs: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/chat-agent-jobs/
Transcription: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/wah-transcriptionist/
Internet Research: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/internet-research/
Personal Concierge: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/get-started-personal-concierge/
Lois
Me, too. Tired of sick people and medical people.
Ella
Had to read this as the title sums me up and guess what, I’m already a housekeeper. Off to buy cheap stuff, take some pics and write my first book. Thanks for the read.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
What are you writing about?
Laura
It’s nearly impossible to find medical transcription work in the US. It’s all farmed out to other countries, or is electronic.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Laura, Are you a trained MT? Have you checked this article? It lists companies that hire medical transcriptionists. You can also search local hospitals and doctors’ offices.
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/medical-transcription/
It seems odd that companies would farm out MT positions, as medical terminology and practices vary greatly from country to country. Plus, you would’t want someone with poor English transcribing your medical records, as accuracy is of the utmost importance, especially if there is a lawsuit. I’ve also read that medical transcription editors are needed to verify the auto transcription files for errors.
Lisa Jordie
Thanks Emily! I lol’d at this title- but it’s a very real concern for a lot of people. On top of all your awesome ideas in this post- I think any job working remote would do the trick for most people! (Besides customer serviced based ones).
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Glad you enjoyed Emily’s post, Lisa.