Not all work from home jobs are created equal. Some are perfect for supplementing income earned from your day job. Others are great if you want to make a buck or two here and there. And some offer the opportunity to start your own business as a freelancer or infopreneur.
And then there are those work-at-home careers in high demand — ones that are growing super quick and show no signs of slowing. These professions give you a chance to secure at-home employment in industries that can offer steady work while letting you create your own income. And, the best part? You don’t need experience to get started.
In fact, these five professions not only offer tons of work but they are super beginner-friendly too. If you’ve been searching for the perfect way to get your foot into the work-from-home door but just didn’t know what career path to choose, read on. These in-demand remote professions may just be perfect for you — regardless of your existing experience!
Become a Transcriptionist
There are no shortages of opportunities to earn a living as an at-home typist. Gigs range from short-term projects to career opportunities — and everything in between. Really, there are many ways to make extra money as a typist or even earn a full-time income.
Regardless of how much you earn, most transcriptionists are tasked with listening to audio recordings while simultaneously typing out what is being said. While it sounds simple, typists actually need a good bit of skills to be successful.
Transcription work is very remote friendly — all you need is the right equipment and software that allows you to get the job done, no matter your location!
Who Hires Transcriptionists?
So many different professionals use transcriptionists — lawyers, doctors, marketers, and authors all benefit from having their work transcribed. These professionals usually dictate their thoughts or client information and need the help of skilled transcriptionists to put their words on paper.
But companies involved in many different industries use transcribers. Entertainment companies, SEO agencies, market researchers, and even financial firms use transcriptionists to transcribe recorded videos, focus groups, meetings, and interviews.
Who’d Make a Great Transcriptionist?
Of course, you’ll need to type quickly and accurately to be a good transcriptionist. But a strong grasp of grammar and the ability to discern difficult audio while typing out what’s be said are also musts! To be great at what you do, you’ll need to proofread your work and meet strict deadlines.
But transcriptionists also handle a lot of sensitive information — so tons of discretion is needed. The ability to work without supervision and manage your time to get things done are also important traits of remote transcriptionists.
When Transcription Might Not Be the Best Fit
Transcriptionists spend long hours in front of the computer which can be difficult on the eyes. And with so much typing, hands and wrists can also take a beating. If you wear out easily while in front of a screen, taking a job as a transcriptionist probably isn’t the best fit. Honestly, this work isn’t for everyone — you need quite a bit of self-discipline to make it work as a typist.
Where to Find Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Transcription is one of those remote-friendly jobs with tons of work to go around, for both beginners and experts. If you’re new to the world of transcribing, check out these 19 companies that hire beginners. You can also start applying to jobs right now — yes, now — by visiting these 7 companies that are actively accepting applicants!
How to Increase Your Job Prospects
If you’re serious about transcribing for a living, head on over to Transcribe Anywhere. There, you can sign up for a free general transcription mini course where you’ll learn exactly what transcription is, how much you can expect to earn, and what you need to get started.
Become a Bookkeeper
The terms bookkeeper and accountant are often used interchangeably. However, they typically come with different job descriptions and unique skillsets — with one being beginner-friendly and the other requiring experience.
Of the two, becoming a bookkeeper is the entry-level option. Typically, bookkeepers are responsible for handling day-to-day financial transactions like updating financial records and checking for accuracy. They record money coming in and going out as well as the documents that support these transactions.
And since software and collaboration tools make you feel like you’re ‘present’ even when you’re not, many bookkeepers are able to perform their jobs while working remotely.
Who Hires Bookkeepers?
This list could go on and on — but typically, small business owners hire bookkeepers to help them keep tabs on their financial happenings. For the most part, this means helping to monitor daily transactions and keeping an eye out for any red flags that may require a second look.
Who’d Make a Great Bookkeeper?
Since bookkeepers are tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of money within a business, it’s important to be detail-oriented and organized. You’ll also need basic math skills and be able to comfortably use a computer. Familiarity with spreadsheet programs, like Excel or Google Sheets, and prior use of bookkeeping software is also a definite bonus!
When Bookkeeping Might Not Be the Best Fit
While you won’t be dealing with complicated formulas or solving quadratic equations, you will be working with numbers every day. So, if you’re not a numbers person or the thought of math makes your skin crawl, bookkeeping may not be the best best for you.
Where to Find Entry-Level Work
Working as a remote bookkeeper is a great way to strike out on your own. That is, you can offer your services on a freelance basis since most small businesses will only need someone a few hours a week to manage their finances. Another option is to search Indeed. Just type “bookkeeper” in the what box and “remote” in the where box below:
Tonya Marusak says
I’ve just begun considering working remotely as a freelance editor/proofreader. You referenced the site UpWork. While researching this site, I found several reviews from people who worked at eLance and oDesk that apparently got merged into UpWork. Their reviews consistently expressed great experiences before the merge and horrible experiences since the merge. I do not want to have any trouble getting paid for work that I do or to be concerned that I will abruptly be “deactivated” as a freelancer. Do you have any insight into how UpWork is currently treating it’s freelancers?
Cori Ramos says
Hi Ashlee,
Thanks so much for putting this together. I’m sure people will appreciate the fact that you did the hard part and researched the information for this post.
You know I’m passing it along! Have a great rest of the week.
Cori
Rick Conners says
Thank you for putting all this info together. It’s awesome !!!!! I’m a 66-year young man and a 4/10 person trying to supplement my income. Thanks for giving me a place to start. Excellent work!
Ashlee Anderson says
Hi Rick,
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad this article gave you a little food for thought as you begin thinking of ideas to supplement your income.
If you have any questions — don’t hesitate to ask. You can reach me directly: ashlee@workfromhomehappiness.com
Happily,
Ashlee
Cara says
Thanks Ashley for sharing this useful information. These jobs are actually in demand for those who wish to take up job from home.
Rose says
Ashley,
Found a mistake in your content.
“While you don’t need professional experience, you should have a strong grasp of grammar. You’ll also need the ability to take constructive criticism without taking offense and be able to make chances to your writing as needed.”
Did you catch it? it should read ‘make changes in your writing as needed’ not ‘chances’.
Did I pass the test. I caught it the first time around so I’m thinkin’ I should proof read, right? LOL
Ashlee Anderson says
Hi Rose,
You definitely have a knack for spotting errors! I think in today’s age, proofreading is even more important. I use a Mac for all my work, and my computer has a built-in autocorrect.
Sometimes, a word is changed (improperly) that I don’t catch — so while autocorrect is meant to prevent errors, I actually find it causes some too (and many of us are too lazy to notice and/or fix them once they’re there).
Thanks for pointing out the mistake — great eyes!
Happily,
Ashlee
Madeline says
Hi Ashlee,
Thanks for sharing this information, it’s really can help us especially for the mom like me staying at home because I need extra income.
Nichole says
Madeline,
I see you are a stay at home mom as well. Did you have any luck with any of the companies?