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How to Figure out What Work at Home Job Is Right for You

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How to Figure Out What Work at Home Job is Right for YouBy Holly Reisem Hanna

When I started looking for a work at home job – I didn’t care what the job entailed. I just knew that I needed to make some money and I wanted to be at home with my daughter.

I searched online, checked out the wants ads, and even asked past employers if there was ANYTHING that I could do for them. I was willing to do data entry, make phone calls, complete research, run errands, anything … I was desperate! Unfortunately, desperation is often what leads to scams. And I came across a ton of them.

When you’re looking for a work at home job you need to be clear in your intent; meaning you need to slow down and take inventory before you begin your search. What are your passions, skills, and prior experience? Do you need health insurance? Do you need a flexible schedule or can you commit to regular day-time hours? When you cast your net too wide, you fail to find the right job for you, because your search is not targeted.

To assist you on your work at home journey, here are 7 common work at home themes, companies, jobs, and ideas that will fast-track your search.

I Need a Work at Home Gig with Zero Startup Fees

You hear this all the time — you should never have to pay for a work at home job. And for the most part this is true … however many companies that hire remote workers, do require potential employees to pay for things like criminal background checks, drug screens, credit checks, and training manuals.

Luckily, there are a lot of companies that don’t charge a penny! Here are some to get you started.

Need more suggestions? Real Ways to Earn has a big list of work at home jobs that don’t charge a fee.

One additional note on fees. Most companies do require you to have your own laptop, high-speed internet connection, and headset. Check out this article for more info on what equipment you need to work from home.

Now … what if you want to start your own business, but you don’t have any funds to invest? No problem. We have a couple of articles that talk about FREE home-based business opportunities:

I Need to Have a FLEXIBLE Work Schedule

  • 24/7 Virtual Assistant – Hires Virtual Assistants to complete tasks for clients around the globe. They hire both full-time and part-time Assistants to work around the clock.
  • Apple – Hires At Home Advisors for daytime shifts, mid-day shifts, and graveyard shifts. Must have the ability to work some weekends and holidays, but there is the possibility to flex up or down depending upon business needs.
  • Contract World – Hires Remote Contract Agents in the US and Canada. You can work as many or as few hours as you’d like, as long as you satisfy your client’s needs.
  • DVMelite – Hires Client Advocates, Sales Reps, Marketing Managers, and Client Service Champions. Must be able to work 4 hours a day, Monday – Friday, but your work schedule is flexible.
  • FancyHands – Hires Assistants for appointment setting, internet research, and data entry. Assistants are paid per task and can work around the clock.
  • Gabbyville – Hires Virtual Receptionists. Hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm and you can chose to work full-time or part-time hours.
  • iSoftStone – Hires Web Evaluators and Crowd Workers in the US, Canada, and Australia. You can choose to work 10 – 25 hours per week.
  • Just Answer – Hires Experts to share their knowledge online. With this opportunity you can work anytime; however it’s more of a side gig than a part-time or full-time job.
  • Liveops – Hires Agents for sales calls, healthcare calls, insurance sales and claims, as well as general customer service. You can work as many or as few hours as you like. You can even schedule your time in blocks of 30 minute increments.
  • VoiceLog – Hires Live Operators for 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hour shifts. Must be able to work between 2pm CST to 11pm CST Monday-Friday and every other weekend.

Transcription work is another flexible job you can do from from home. With this work you’re sent audio files that need to be transcribed into written documents. As long as you can meet your client’s deadline, you’re able to do this work any day of the week, anytime. This article lists hiring companies and everything else you need to know about transcription work.

Want to start your own business or work as a freelancer? Check out this article for some super flexible business ideas.

Help Me Earn Extra Money From Home

When I was searching for a work at home job, I did many of these side gigs to bring in money. While most people use these methods to bring in extra cash, some people make full-time careers out of working side gigs. In fact, Lori Cheek launched her mobile dating app just by completing side jobs.

I Want to Call the Shots and Be My Own Boss

I’ve been working for myself for the past 7 years and I absolutely love it! I’m able to increase or decrease my hours as needed. I’m doing work that I love and there’s no limit to how much I can make … pretty awesome! If you’d like to be your own boss here are some great work at home businesses to consider.

Need more ideas? Check out this article, 99 Work at Home Career Ideas for Women.

I Don’t Want to Take Phone Calls!

One of the most prevalent work at home jobs is that of the Customer Service Agent. While this is a good gig for many individuals, a lot of people just don’t want to be on the phone — which I totally understand. If you’re looking for a non-phone job here are some gigs to consider.

Copywriter – Are you persuasive? 

Copywriters write the words in TV commercials, radio ads, magazines, newspapers, billboards, flyers, websites, catalogs, and direct mailings – wherever something is being sold, copywriters are hard at work writing alluring and compelling advertisements.

Resume Writer – Do you have a way with words? 

Professional Resume Writers use words and formatting to create powerful images to sell a job seeker to a potential employer.

Social Media Manager – Are you a social butterfly? 

Social Media Managers help companies and businesses market themselves through the various social media channels. In an depth knowledge of the various platforms and having your own active accounts is a great way to get started.

Teacher – Do you love kids? 

If you have an active teaching certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree you may be eligible to teach online. Everything from kindergarten to grade 12 are available with lots of variety in subject matter and topics.

Check out this post for more opportunities for teachers and tutors.

Translator – Are you fluent in more than one language? 

If you can speak more than one language and you’re accurate, you may be eligible to complete translation work. Many companies will require you to take fluency test, but once you pass, you’re good to go. 

Website Tester – Are you tech savvy? 

If you can navigate your way around the web, you can make up to $10 for 15 – 20 minutes of work. Most companies require you pass an evaluator test before you can begin.

Check out this article for more sites that offer website testing gigs.

Didn't find what you're looking for? Here are 10 more jobs that don’t require phone work.

I Need Health Insurance

How to Figure Out What Work at Home Job is Right for YouIf you’re not covered under your significant other’s health plan, you will need to find a company that offers insurance. If you’re able to work full-time hours, you’ll have a relatively easy time finding companies that offer health benefits. In fact, I have a huge list of legit companies that offer employee benefits.

If you’re only able to work part-time hours — it becomes more of a challenge. However I did find a few companies that offer benefits for part-time employees.

  • Apple – Hires At Home Advisors and Team Managers.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Hires Bilingual Rental Reservation Reps and Customer Service Reps.
  • Nike – Hires Equipment Designers, Apparel Designers, Digital Community Managers, Sales Executives, Business Planners, Administrative Assistants, and Business Analysts.
  • Staples – Remote Technical Support and Account Managers.
  • Starbucks – Hires remote Human Resource Associates and Administrative Assistants.
  • SYKES Home – Hire Customer Care Professionals.
  • U-Haul – Hires Customer Service Agents, U-Box Agents, and Center Sales Agents.

Still having trouble finding the right fit? Leave a comment below with your passions, skills, and requirements and I'll reply with some personalized suggestions.

This page includes affiliate links. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.

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Comments

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  2. i want to write advertisment for different products, i want to write script and qoute for different advertisment. I want to know advertisment company name

    Reply

  4. I love doing sales and writting. I also live in Iowa and im not able to find much work at home jobs around this area :(

    Reply

  5. I was laid off a year ago medical reasons. I am desperate to find a work from home job. I was in the dental field for 15 years and wrote in great detail what was done for each patient during each visit. I am very proficient in inputting data and I will go to great lengths to make sure the job is done right. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you for your time!

    Reply

  7. I am a stay at home mom, and a student. I’d love to work from home in the field I’m majoring in, which is Accounting. Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply

  10. I am currently an office manager, but also have 20 years retail experience. I also went to school for interior design. My issue is I have a MacBook and most wah jobs require a pc. I am great with Color but my area in over saturated with designers

    Reply

  11. Hello I am looking for a stay at home job, I am 56 and have medical conditions that I may have to quit my full time job.I was looking for a on line or web based company that sells plus size women’s clothing made in US. Any ideas?

    Reply

  12. Hi,
    I see this site is directed to the ladies. What about a mature man that is exploring working at home?

    Reply

  15. Hi Holly,

    Is there a way to find out what Capital one is hiring for? I went to the website but it’s just their general advertisement page.

    Reply

  16. I am excellent at editing others’ writing. I have a keen eye for detail. I am also very efficient at typing step by step instrunctions. I want to do customer service with typing only as I often lose my voice, but, as I am a full-time student, I am looking for something that gives me autonomy with my hours. Some weeks I need an extra day to study and wish I had the power to decide to do 4×10 or 5×8 on a whim.

    Reply

  17. Hi I’m a male just turning 50. I’ve got some health issues and trying to find a work from home business or job. Something that pays decent and no startup costs or fees. I’m st rock bottom right now with no money coming. My skills are cooking and truck driving. But a fast learner have thought about doing accounting. Just need money to pay bills and provide for my family as life hasn’t been easy.

    Reply

  18. Hi holly. I’ve been with the fast food industry for 9 years as a shift manger. I know my way around customers service and cashier. And I’m looking for a job to be a stay at home mom with my five kids. Is there anything out there for me.

    Reply

  19. Hi my name is Shon and I’m looking to put things together from home with no fees simple things like light switches and spray can tops are there any companies out there for me

    Reply

  20. I have two kids who love to make noise and I have no car but I need extra money for bills l did surveys at a telemarketing company for two years owned my own cleaning service for six years mostly construction clean up and I need a flexible at home job that works for my lifestyle

    Reply

  22. Sitel was a waste of my time. Signed up, did 3 tests, and even got an interview only to be told that they aren’t looking for anyone right now. Of couse she told me she will keep my name on there in case they need someone with my skill set. Pretty much meant I didn’t qualify. Probably because I don’t have a high school diploma even though I do have experience in customer service. Oh well….the search continues!

    Reply

  23. I am looking for a flexible job that is completely at home and pays well without using the phone. I am trying to get pregnant and want to be prepared when I do have a baby. I currently am doing data entry for my job, but I would like to actually get up out of a chair and do things for a change (I’m very crafty). I don’t mind having some computer time though. My husband is doing full time school right now. If needed, he can jump back into the workforce, but we’d like for him to get through school as quickly as possible.
    I need help, everything that seems to pay well usually involves all the time devoted on a computer, using a phone, or I’m not qualified. And everything I think I would enjoy doing either doesn’t pay enough or comes with too many risks to count on it. What can I do?

    Reply

    • Hi Jessica, If you want to be out and about, not at a computer, perhaps you should look at on-demand opportunities like driving for Uber, walking dogs with Wag Walking, or providing child care services for care.com. There are also other possibilities, like being a photographer, starting an Etsy store, or joining a direct sales company — but in these positions, you’re a business owner, not an employee. Most work-at-home jobs require a lot of computer time or phone work. Give this article a look; it can help you narrow down and refine your search: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/finding-your-niche/

      Reply

  24. I would love to find something within beauty. I freelance as a Makeup Artist in NYC but I’m looking for something that doesn’t require me to carry 40 pounds of product around the city.

    Reply

  25. I am looking for a live chat agent job. Any suggestions? I tried Needle, but they use a point system and you don’t get paid.

    Reply

  27. Hi Holly, my name is Debra and I am a retired RN. I worked 30+years. I live in a rural area and do not want to leave home for work, though I need something to do. I have an interest in nutrition and natural healing. Had breast CA five yrs ago. I have read your article about how to decide on the type of job that would suit you. I don’t need benefits, don’t want to pay a fee. I have basic computer skills and can type. My hobbies are gardening, reading, music, and have a dog, love animals. What are your suggistions for me? DEBRA PS that is a “L” in my address

    Reply

  28. Hi! You have some great resources. I have been trying to find a work from home job with flexible daytime hours. I cannot use automatic dialers. I love being on the phone and would love to be paid to do business presentations for opportunity calls or something. I also tried a business years ago called Contact Us and really liked it, but think it may have been spammy so I quit. I would prefer a job where background noise would not be a big problem. I have tried direct sales and have found it is just not for me. I have to have a work at home job. Any suggestions? I love people and am very patient, but not techy.

    Reply

  30. I live in the Philippines and I’m looking for a job online. I’ve been struggling with onlinejobs.ph and upwork. I used to work as a Call Center Agent (BPO) for more than 4 years. I’m just a High School Graduate though. I’m staying home right now because no one will look after my kid if I work outside. I wanted either Chat/Email Support, Customer Service, Transcription. Can you suggest anything?

    Reply

  31. I am good at online chatting but I suck at speaking on the phone with out having a panic attack. Are there any text chat jobs that are text exclusive, offer benefits such as health insurance and have a flexible schedule? Even better if it requires knowledge of various nerdy topics such as anime since that is where most of my knowledge lies.

    Reply

  32. Hi Holly! Just discovered your site; you have some very helpful info!!! I am a newlywed, relocated three hours from where I grew up. I am good with people, a bit crafty, enjoy grammar, and just really need flexible hours with no start up fees if possible. I worked the past couple years as a weight loss consultant, but would like a bit of a change (however, I am open to whatever at this point). The hubbs works second shift and is off weekends, so that’s what we are shooting for! (He also loves woodworking, so we have discussed tag-teaming some projects..) Thanks for your time!

    Reply

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