5 Jobs You Didn't Know About
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Working from home is the new casual Friday. It's one of those perks that many employers have incorporated into their policies, but it's still not the norm and most everyone wishes it were.
Employers have several reasons for wanting to limit the amount of work you do from home. They're not just being sourpusses about the situation, even if that's what you think. Most bosses who are hesitant to expand their telecommuting policies are afraid of giving employees too much room to mess up. Think about how many business casual experiments went awry when someone showed up in clothes more suitable for club-going. All you need is one blockhead to ruin it for everyone.
Many of these fears, however, are unfounded. At least that's what Kate Lister and Tom Harnish say in their new book, "Undress for Success: The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home."
5 Jobs You Didn't Know About
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Working from home is the new casual Friday. It's one of those perks that many employers have incorporated into their policies, but it's still not the norm and most everyone wishes it were.
Employers have several reasons for wanting to limit the amount of work you do from home. They're not just being sourpusses about the situation, even if that's what you think. Most bosses who are hesitant to expand their telecommuting policies are afraid of giving employees too much room to mess up. Think about how many business casual experiments went awry when someone showed up in clothes more suitable for club-going. All you need is one blockhead to ruin it for everyone.
Many of these fears, however, are unfounded. At least that's what Kate Lister and Tom Harnish say in their new book, "Undress for Success: The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home."
According to Lister and Harnish:
· Surveys have shown telecommuters, or e-workers, experience more productivity at home than at the office.
· Employers worry about not being face-to-face with their staff, but phones, e-mail and chat programs make everyone accessible.
· Real estate, administrative and relocation costs are dramatically lessened by telecommuting, so e-workers don't actually cost companies more money. They cost less.
Employers are beginning to catch on to the benefits of telecommuting, but many workers don't realize that their jobs can be done as effectively at home. So even if their bosses would be OK with working remotely, they never think to take advantage of it.
"Undress for Success" lists some jobs that are perfect for e-workers. Here are a few professions you should consider if you would rather have a 30-second commute instead of a 30-minute one.
1. Medical transcriptionists
What they do: When medical professionals dictate their observations of a patient's health or condition, medical transcriptionists transfer their recordings into text. You see their work on lab reports, patient histories and any other documentation that comes as a result of procedures.
Who hires them: Insurance companies, health-care institutions, medical transcription service organizations
2. Telemedicine personnel
What they do: Nurses, pharmacists and other health-care professionals provide advice to patients through phone calls or video conferencing. When patients have health questions but don't need urgent care, they can contact these experts to see what their next course of action should be.
Who hires them: Insurance companies; hospitals; doctor's offices
3. Remote tech support agent
What they do: Computer users who aren't sure why their PC shuts down every time they try to open a file need help, so they call tech support. Believe it or not, not every problem requires in-person help. As long as you have the patience, communication skills and technological knowledge, you can work as a tech support agent from your home.
Who hires them: Technology manufacturers; technology support businesses
4. Teachers and tutors
What they do: As online learning continues to grow, Internet-based instructors have seen an increase in jobs. Some teach online courses that last a full semester, while others offer seminars that only take place for one or a few days.
Tutors are a small but growing niche of online educators who offer help with homework or other coursework to students. They act as traditional, in-person tutors, except they interact with students primarily through online means.
Who hires them: Traditional and online universities; K-12 schools; certification programs; online-based tutoring companies
5. Virtual assistant
What they do: Virtual assistants are responsible for the same tasks that traditional assistants are: running errands, coordinating meetings, screening calls and clerical duties. You've probably seen high-ranking professionals who rely on their assistants just to get through the day. Virtual assistants do the same thing, except they're not in an office.
Who hires them: Companies devoted to providing virtual assistants for clients; large companies with a need for flexible assistants. Note: Many virtual assistants are freelancers in charge of their own businesses.
Next: Part-Time Work-From-Home Jobs >>
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Search by Company | Search by IndustryAnthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The rules have changed. If you're looking for a great job, with a great company, with great benefits, that you will have your entire life, until you retire, stop looking. That was then this is now. That job doesn't exist anymore for 99% of us. Unless you have unique and remarkable skills you better figure out what will work best for you and your family. I am a former executive who left the corporate world to help people adjust to the new realities. My suggestion to most is to do what millions of people are doing now, find a good home business. That won't work for everyone but if you find one that you can get into for virtually no investment and learn the right skills, you should do well.
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So many of my clients tell me that they are loving working for themselves, making more money than before, in less time, and enjoy the extra time they have to spend with their families.
Avoid all MLM, they are mostly scams.
The right home business is probably the best thing to be involved with in this economy. All it takes is the right choice and then learning the right skills. I have been very successful with my business and it all started with making an informed choice from the beginning. I'm not here to sell anyone anything just to offer advice and warn you about some scams. Try to stay away from the many scam type businesses like the one in the first comment to this article. Ambit energy is nothing but a scam, 95% of the people who get involved lose all their money. http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/436/ripoff0436256.htm
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ReplyIt's time we made the road less traveled the way to work.
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ReplyI am looking for a home based job. I went on websites like Twitter, facebook and other jobs like gifting. I paid money and I am still waiting for my information and training kit. I need something I can depend on. I am wondering what I can do at home that doesn't take alot time. I watch my grandchildren a few days a week and they love to be outside. I would appreciate any help you could give me.
ReplyI have epilepsy and can't drive, public trans won't help me get to a job on time, need something reliable that I can do from home
Reply