For many people, the reality of working remotely seems to be an unachievable pipe dream. However, it does not have to be this way.
Each year, thousands of people make a brave switch from their regular working routine and decide to go it alone. If you are considering a venture, which allows you to work from home, then you should read this guide.
I will be covering everything about work from home jobs. From classifications to the main benefits and even disadvantages – everything will be given the necessary column space. Read on to become informed and inspired to start working from home.
Who is work from home jobs aimed at?
Lots of people search the internet to find out how to make money from home. These people are of all ages and come from all walks of life. This is because work-from-home jobs can be taken up by anybody with the skills to do so.
These jobs that you can do from home may be a full-time occupation or can be a side gig to your primary job. Their versatility has also made them become sought after by different people. From students looking for online part-time jobs to those near retirement, anyone can make a success in this line of work.
The best work from home jobs
Unfortunately, not everyone can land a remote job in their field. It is highly unlikely and utterly impossible that some professions can be done from your home. For example, those with hands-on jobs such as plumbers, fitness instructors, and nurses are not going to be able to work from home.
People in these industries will need to change their career paths to start working from home.
Most jobs that lend themselves to remote work are those that are creative in nature or digital. The best examples of jobs that can be completed remotely are:
- Content writing
- Digital design
- Digital marketing
- Website development
- SEO services
These are popular occupations for remote workers. However, many people work from home as part of a company, and their roles can differ. Some people that work from home in these capacities may be carrying out administrative-like tasks.
It must also be said that there is a growth in the number of people earning an income at home through completing surveys and tutoring. Tutors can teach many subjects, but many are offering language lessons through video calling.
What are the different classifications of work from home jobs?
Not everyone who has a work-from-home job is categorized the same. Some people who work remotely are employed by a company and work out of the office.
Alternatively, some people who work from home are self-employed. The differences between these two roles are rather self-explanatory.
What can be more confusing is the difference between someone who works from home as a self-employed person and someone who works from home as a freelancer. There is an easy way to clarify the often misconception which comes with these terms:
Self-employed
A self-employed person may work from home. Those that do are self-employed based on their tax obligations. Self-employed are, therefore, tax status and nothing else. If you are self-employed, you are solely responsible for filing your taxes.
Freelancing
On the other hand, freelancing is not a tax status. It is a term given to someone who works remotely while dealing with several clients. They may work remotely in either of the scenarios mentioned above.
They may work remotely for a company or may work from home without an employment contract.
These two phrases can be misused often, which frequently happens in the media. The bottom line is to remember that not all freelancers are self-employed. This does not mean the opposite is true. There are many self-employed people, such as builders and business owners that would not consider themselves freelancers.
How to get a work from home job
The luxury of working from home does not come easy. There are two main avenues of working from home. One of them is difficult to obtain while the other can be established by the time you finish this article.
The problem is that the former will guarantee a stable income while the latter may not work at all.
The first method I am referring to is by negotiating remote work with your employer. Many employers will not allow their staff to work from home because they want to monitor their performance and application to the job.
However, some companies will offer this luxury because they also benefit by reducing their need for office space. Most people who get these roles in companies are given them because they are in senior positions. The benefit of working from home while being employed by a company is that you know you will be paid a set wage each month.
Other remote workers will be self-employed. These people work from home and create their workload. This involves finding clients and customers. This can be done by creating your website or signing up for popular freelancing websites.
Popular examples of the best freelancing sites include:
- Upwork
- People Per Hour
- Fiverr
Creating a profile or a website can be done quickly. However, developing a reputation can take time. In these positions, you are not guaranteed a continuous stream of clients. Therefore, you do not have the security of a set income at the end of the month.
Both avenues of working from home can be rewarding. It is essential to note the differences in how these are acquired. It is also important to note the benefits and obstacles facing both types of remote workers.
The benefits of working from home
Having a job where you can work from home brings a lot of benefits. These benefits are the key reasons why people often want a work-from-home job. Some of them are relatively obvious, while you may not have thought of others. Here are the main benefits of a work from a home job:
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Choose your working hours
The flexibility that these jobs offer is the flagship benefit for many people. For self-employed people, you can choose the exact hours and days you want to work.
This not only means you can afford yourself a lie-in midweek, but you can also manage your working life with personal appointments.
There are no applications for time off to HR when you have a work-from-home job. Taking the afternoon off to spend time with your children or visiting the doctor is at your discretion.
It must also be said that some work from home jobs do not afford this benefit. If you are working from home but still part of an organization, they may require you to be online and responsive at certain times.
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No supervisors
Most people who work from home have someone to answer to. Whether it be business partners, clients, or a boss back at headquarters, there is usually someone to communicate with. However, when you have a work-at-home job, you never have someone looking over your shoulder.
You can take a ten-minute or one-hour coffee break without getting in trouble. Without supervisors and superiors watching your every move, you have a level of freedom that other jobs can never compete with.
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Work from anywhere
Although these jobs are labeled as work-from-home jobs, in most instances, that is not true. These remote roles can be completed from anywhere. This is one of the most lucrative benefits of these jobs.
Most people working in these positions require an internet connection and their laptop to work. The spread of lightning-quick broadband speeds means many people “work from home” from different types of locations.
From the café down the road to a villa in Bali, the remote worker is finding working space in lots of locations.
It is worth mentioning that many remote workers are now signing up for co-working spaces. Although these can be costly, freelancers can enjoy the regularity of a creative office with fellow entrepreneurs, but without the hierarchy of a company.
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A personal environment
For those who prefer the comfort of their home over carrying their passport or working from a café, there is an additional benefit. People who work at home can customize their studies or office. They can create a space that works for them and fosters creativity and productivity.
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Job satisfaction
Most people who have a work-from-home job experience an increase in job satisfaction. This can occur in those working for a company because they are afforded the benefits mentioned above. Yet, this is most experienced in those that are self-employed.
In nearly all circumstances, people who work from home as self-employed are working on projects they are passionate about. It is highly likely that someone building a personal empire out of a creative passion is experiencing increased job satisfaction.
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Enhance your CV
Although many remote workers would not dream of going back to the nine-to-five rat race, they would be better off than before their remote working experience. Working from home is a great skill and valuable experience to add to your CV.
It shows that you can motivate yourself to succeed. It also evidences that you can work to a high standard independently. These are all attributes that future employers will put in high regard when searching for staff. By adding these things to your CV, you put yourself in good stead to land another job down the line.
Are there any negatives when working from home?
Working from home is a much-desired situation for the benefits listed. However, this does not mean that there are some negatives to working from home. Some of these disadvantages can be avoided, while some need to be managed effectively.
If you work from home, it can be much more challenging to leave your work behind. Unlike office worker who ends their working day when they step outside the office, this is not as simple for remote workers.
Opportunity
Those that work from home are presented with an excellent opportunity for a fantastic work-life balance. However, many remote workers never really leave their office, and their laptops are desks always close by.
This is even more true for those that work with international clients in different time zones. It is all too easy to reopen your laptop or sit back at your desk.
There is also a disadvantage for home workers who are just starting. Those who are sourcing their clients will always begin with no reputation, even if they have prior experience.
Freelancing websites do not care about your CV, and the only thing to draw in paying customers is reputation and reviews. In these instances, freelancers need to build up their profiles and reputation from scratch.
This often results in underpaid work and working long hours. If you can overcome this phase, the rewards can be more than worth it.
Summary
Here, I have analyzed the different parts of a work-from-home job. I have outlined who they are aimed at, the most common work-from-home jobs, and how they may be classified. I have also discussed the different methods of sourcing work from home jobs and the obstacles of each.
These remote jobs offer many benefits. The ability to choose your working hours, manage a work-life balance, and work from any corner of the globe appear to be what makes them so lucrative.
Nevertheless, there are also some challenges to working from home. If these can be managed, you can be confident of unrivaled job satisfaction and a fruitful career.
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