Working from home has many advantages, from avoiding the morning commute to being able to lounge around in your pjs whilst you work. However, one of the many myths about working from home is that it is only reserved to those who have a bachelor’s degree and can use the knowledge gained from higher education to enjoy the benefits of working from home.
On the contrary, with many routes to gaining knowledge and experience nowadays, and the expansion of the online world, there are opportunities for people of all educational backgrounds to work from home. Whether you are a skilled writer or an experienced customer service advisor, the ability to transfer your skills to an online or phone platform can mean you can work remotely and enjoy the luxury of working in the comfort of your own home.
The number of people working from home in the UK has increased to over 1.5 million in the last 10 years according to CIPHR, and it is becoming more and more favourable as work from home jobs also mean that childcare costs are kept down, people with disabilities are able to work and flexible working conditions increase productivity and motivation.
The number of people working from home in the UK has increased by
in the last 10 years.
1. Content Writer
As more businesses expand in the online world, and advertisers see that online platforms can increase their customer base by thousands, there is more need than ever for content writers. Whether it’s writing web pages for a voucher code website in the UK or writing blog content for a distance learning website in Australia; you can find an abundance of writing opportunities online which allow you to work remotely. The great thing about being a freelance writer is that as well as being able to work around your current schedule and put your writing skills into practice, there are so many different websites that you are sure to find something to write about which interests you. The more experience you gain the more likely you are to enjoy a freelance writing career, so reading up about things such as writing SEO content and checking out websites such as Moz which offer articles on writing good online content can be beneficial.
2. Customer Service Advisor/Telemarketer
There are plenty of opportunities online for customer service advisors to help with online shopping orders, customer queries and phone support. With businesses selling more and more online, the need for 24/7 customer support is always on the rise. Whether it’s helping a client with a technical issue they are having or giving them advice on a product, you can help customers from the comfort of your own home.
Another avenue to use your customer service experience is within the telemarketing sector. As long as you have internet and a phone, you can contact potential customers directly and even increase your standard rate of pay with commission opportunities! This is also a great opportunity for those who aren’t as confident in the online world, as many work-from-home telemarketing jobs simply require you to call potential customers instead.
3. Web Developer
If you are tech-savvy and have an interest in web design, then there are plenty of jobs where you can work from home helping online businesses. Gaining some experience is often essential, and alongside you own personal interests, either being employed or getting voluntary work experience would greatly improve your employment opportunities. There are also many online courses you can enrol on, including the Become a Web Developer course, where you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on a degree but can learn all you need to know about web development from the comfort of your home at a fraction of the price.
4. Online Creator/Online Business Owner
From starting your own blog to creating your own YouTube channel, there are plenty of platforms where you can earn money by building an audience online. Although it can be a difficult field to break into, when you do there is a great opportunity to earn a good income doing what you love. Whether it’s making short films, discussing interesting topics, giving fashion and beauty advice or doing comedy skits, there is something for everyone. Although many online creators do have degrees, many don’t, and just their personality, talent and perseverance are what earns them a good wage. If you don’t want to put yourself out there as a blogger or YouTuber selling your personal brand, then you can instead make a living selling your own products or services online. You don’t need thousands of pounds to start your online business either, as many people have started with as little as £1. With sites such as Etsy and eBay, you can get your artistic creations out there or sell your old wares online for some extra income.
5. Academic Tutor
You don’t have to have a first from Oxford to offer some academic tutoring online. Whether it’s assisting a GCSE student with their understanding of maths or helping a mature student to gain their Business and Management Level 3, you can use your knowledge and experience to help others with their education. Gaining experience will come in very handy when applying for academic tutoring jobs, so for example assisting nieces and nephews or offering help with homework in your local community can help you gain confidence in tutoring others, or volunteering at a school or university. A lot of tutoring also requires the ability to have good study skills and being able to explain concepts in a different manner, so ensure you use your study skills from A-levels or GCSEs to help your clients.
6. ESL Tutor
If assisting with academic work isn’t for you, then you can always help people in other countries to get better at their English. If you speak multiple languages, then this of course broadens your tutoring abilities, but even those who only speak English can help those learning to practice and perfect their English conversation. Many websites offer those learning English the chance to interact with native speakers over Skype so they can practice their new language in a real life situation.