Working from home has become the new normal. Following the global pandemic, workers across the globe have seen firsthand that they can do their jobs well from their living room (maybe even in their PJs). Now that the workforce has had a taste of this freedom and experienced the benefits of no long commutes or uncomfortable work clothes, more and more people are ready to make the jump to a fully remote job. So how has public opinion on working from home changed since the global pandemic?
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Working 100% Remotely: How Public Opinion Has Changed
Post-pandemic, working from home seemed like a dream for some and a nightmare for others. Those who saw it through rose-tinted glasses imagined sipping cocktails on a beach while casually running a marketing meeting, and for others, they thought the idea of work without the social aspect would be isolating, unproductive, and, well, kind of sad.
As with most things in life, the reality of working remotely is somewhere in the middle. While there are some employees who just aren’t suited to the work-from-home lifestyle and feel isolated and lost, research has shown that the majority of the workforce favors the extra freedom and time over watercooler chats.
If you want to see what all the fuss is about and join the work-from-home job movement with no previous experience, then look no further. We’ve done our homework, and using research carried out by Recruitment experts Lensa in their recent article best work from home jobs, we’ve come up with a list of the top ten entry-level work-from-home jobs that require little or no experience.
Before we see which jobs made it onto the list, let’s see why more and more people are making the move online.
The Benefits Of Remote Work
While there are challenges when it comes to remote working, for most of us, the pros outweigh the cons. Here are just a few advantages of working from home.
You save time
Working from home means you can say goodbye to long commutes in rush hour traffic. Cutting out commute time frees up a lot more time in our day for other things, like exercise, reading, or an extra twenty minutes of shut-eye. That’s not the only way working from home saves you time, it also means you can use your breaks in between meetings to put on a wash or do the dishes. Working from home also means you can prepare your lunch that day, no more making packed lunches the night before.
You save money
Despite some initial costs to set up your home workspace, working remotely will save you money in the long term. Gone are the days of paying for public transport, petrol, parking, coffees, and lunches. Now you can get through the week barely spending a penny on unessential items that we seem to buy when we’re in an office setting. While you may save a few bucks a week on Afterwork drinks, the biggest money-saving opportunity that working from home offers is moving somewhere cheaper. Many of us have been obliged to pay huge rental and mortgage costs to live in big, expensive cities for work, by being 100% remote, you can move to a more affordable area with more space. Parents can also save money on childcare.
You escape toxic office culture
Another massive plus of working from home is avoiding the typical toxic office culture traits, such as micromanaging managers, gossiping colleagues, and feeling obliged to stay late in the office even if your work is finished. Working from home gives you flexibility in where you work, when you take a quick bathroom break, and how involved you get in-office social events (it’s much easier to decline a Zoom invite than to tell Sally that you don’t want to stay late to celebrate her birthday).
You’re more productive
Perhaps one of the most surprising realizations to come out of the global pandemic is that remote workers really are more productive and, as a result, more engaged. Reports based on employee surveys are showing that companies that have adopted a “work from anywhere” policy have noticed a 4.4% increase in employee productivity. Surveys also show that a reported 24% of workers are happier and more engaged now that they are working from home.
We’ve seen why work-from-home jobs are more coveted than ever, now let’s see ten of the best entry-level jobs that are perfect for people looking for remote jobs, handpicked by a recruitment agency.
The Top 10 Entry-Level Remote Jobs
According to recruitment experts Lensa, there are the best entry-level remote jobs available in 2021, complete with estimated income and required qualifications.
1. Data Entry Clerk / Administrative Assistant
Remote data entry jobs usually involve updating and maintaining databases. Data entry clerks (carefully!) add new data and monitor existing data to make sure that all databases are up-to-date with accurate data.
The role:
Qualifications required:
A high school diploma
Skills Required:
Successful data entry clerks have strong attention to detail and great typing skills. They need to quickly learn different systems and databases and be able to concentrate on repetitive work for long stretches.
Perfect for:
Stay-at-home parents and students looking to earn some extra income and gain experience in a sector.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $24-50,000, with an average earning of $33,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
No experience is required, but a proven track record of being fast and accurate will stand you in good stead.
Equipment needed:
Computer, internet, and access to the relevant database.
Future prospects:
Data entry is a great side-job to supplement income, however, full-time data entry work could lead to a career in administration if you prove yourself.
Location:
Any.
Where to look:
Take a look at online work marketplace or job boards, like Lensa, FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, or Working Nomads.
2. Virtual Assistant
The role:
Virtual assistants provide admin, creative, and technical services and support to clients. The role varies depending on the company and job description, but the tasks are similar to those of a customer service representative or sales rep.
Qualifications required:
A high school diploma
Skills Required:
Strong time management skills, attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and problem-solving skills. Previous experience in a customer-facing role is an added bonus.
Perfect for:
Tech-savvy people with strong interpersonal skills make for great virtual assistants. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with software and have great organizational skills as well as plenty of initiative.
Expected salary:
The hourly rates range from $10.13-27.83, with an average of $15.66, depending on previous experience.
How to make yourself eligible:
No specific educational qualifications are required. Candidates should focus on proving their interpersonal and admin skills, and make sure that they have a flexible schedule that fits the role.
Equipment needed:
A computer, a cell phone, good WIFI, and software such as the Google Suite or Microsoft Office.
Future prospects:
The more experience you get, the higher the salary a Virtual Assistant can make. Virtual Assistants are very popular with startups, creating an opportunity to develop the role and take on more responsibility.
Location:
Anywhere, provided you have the required language skills and are working from a compatible timezone.
Where to look:
Look on Zirtual.
3. Transcriber / Transcriptionist
The role:
Transcribers convert presentations made in audio or video format into long-form documents. Effectively, a transcriber will listen to audio or video versions of meetings, presentations, or idea sessions and then type them up.
Qualifications required:
A high school diploma
Skills Required:
Fast typing skills, attention to detail, great listening skills, a strong grasp of the working language, and excellent communication skills.
Perfect for:
People with the required skills and who want a flexible work option, such as stay-at-home parents and students.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $24-53,000, with an average earning of $36,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
Previous experience will improve your eligibility, especially a portfolio of your work with some testimonials.
Equipment needed:
A computer, WIFI, and software like Microsoft Office or Express Scribe.
Future prospects:
This remote job makes an excellent stop-gap and part-time work, but it can be made full-time if you make a great impression on your clients and develop the role to hold more responsibility.
Location:
Anywhere.
Where to look:
Try sites like TranscribeMe, Accutran Global, CastingWords, Daily Transcription, Speechpad, and Scribie.
4. Travel Agent
The role:
Remote travel agents sell transportation and accommodation to holidaymakers and other types of travelers. They offer advice based on consultations and help to manage all aspects of the trip, from planning itineraries and booking hotels to arranging travel insurance and dealing with hiccups.
Qualifications required:
A high school diploma.
Skills Required:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a flair for sales, and attention to detail to manage all aspects of the holiday. Some knowledge of popular tourist holiday spots is a plus.
Perfect for:
People who love travel, dealing with people, and making sales will thrive in this role.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $27-56,000, with an average earning of $39,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
On-the-job training is usually provided, but you can boost your chances by taking online travel agent courses and certifications to improve your industry knowledge.
Equipment needed:
A computer, a phone (with an international plan), good WIFI.
Future prospects:
Travel agents can move up in the travel and tourism sector, becoming industry experts. The more experience you gain, the more you can earn.
Location:
Anywhere.
Where to look:
Check out online work marketplaces, such as Lensa, FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, or Working Nomads.
5. Freelance Writer
The role:
Freelance writers do a bit of everything. As a freelance writer, you might be asked to write guest blog posts, legal documentation, technical guides, ghostwriting, and more. Many freelance writers find a niche and look for jobs in that field, such as marketing copy, anime fiction, or cloud computing.
Qualifications required:
A Bachelor’s degree in English or a writing-focused field and proven writing skills are usually preferred.
Skills Required:
Excellent writing skills, a strong grasp of grammar, research skills, great time management, and familiarity with different styles of writing. Experience or basic understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) is a plus.
Perfect for:
People who love writing and researching who want to make some supplementary income.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $18-75,000, with an average earning of $39,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
Build a portfolio of writing to show off your writing skills. Try to showcase different writing styles in your portfolio. There are plenty of affordable online writing courses available to learn the basics.
Equipment needed:
A computer, WIFI, website and writing software i.e. Microsoft Office or G-Suite.
Future prospects:
Freelance writing can be great for part-time work, side-work, or full-time work. For those who want to pursue a career as a freelance writer, building a portfolio and earning a reputation as an industry expert will boost your earning potential.
Location:
Anywhere
Where to look:
Look on sites like Freelance Writer’s Den, ProBlogger, and Who Pays Writers?
6. Social Media Manager
The role:
Social Media Managers manage social media marketing, overseeing everything from managing campaigns to orchestrating daily tasks like content development. A Social Media Manager will take the lead when it comes to copywriting, audience curation, and publishing images, videos, audio, and written content. As a Social Media Manager, your main goal will be to grow a brand’s audience and gain exposure for the brand.
Qualifications required:
A Bachelor’s degree in Communications or something similar
Skills Required:
A creative mind, strong familiarity with social media platforms and trends, excellent communication skills.
Perfect for:
People with the necessary skillset who love social media and communications. However, since it takes time to build an online presence, this job is less suitable as a stop-gap job and more geared towards people who want a long-term career in social media management.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $34-77,000, with an average earning of $50,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
Aside from a college education, you can improve you eligibility by staying up-to-date with trends, taking courses to boost skills, and building a strong online following.
Equipment needed:
A computer, internet, social media and software such as Buffer and Hootsuite.
Future prospects:
There are plenty of prospects for great Social Media Managers as remote freelancers, or in-house Community Managers. There’s room to grow in marketing roles as well as becoming a Social Media Consultant.
Location:
Anywhere.
Where to look:
Search online work marketplaces, such as Lensa, UpWork, We Work Remotely, or Working Nomads.
7. Online Tutoring
The role:
There are plenty of online teaching jobs and tutoring opportunities out there, teaching a wide variety of topics. Online tutors teach a subject virtually and, like teachers in a classroom, they prepare lesson plans, instruct students, monitor progress, and evaluate their students.
Qualifications required:
A Bachelor’s degree and, in some cases, a teaching certificate.
Skills Required:
Excellent organization skills, strong communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and knowledge of the field you want to teach in. Familiarity with different teaching methods from K-12, to university teaching, to further education.
Perfect for:
People who want a consistent job that fits their schedule. Stay-at-home parents, professionals with commuting constraints, or those living abroad are great candidates for this role.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $41-66,000, with an average annual salary of $46,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
Get the relevant qualifications and gain experience on a remote teaching site.
Equipment needed:
A computer, WIFI, and remote teaching software such as Blackboard.
Future prospects:
Online tutoring is generally a career and can be either part-time or full-time work. With experience and a good reputation, it can lead to a full-time teaching calendar.
Location:
Anywhere, as long as the timezone is compatible.
Where to look:
Try sites like Preply, Remote.co, Teach Away, and VIPKid.
8. Product Reviewer
The role:
Product reviewers test and evaluate products for sale, especially for e-commerce companies.
Qualifications Required:
There are usually no requirements.
Skills Required:
Good communication and time management skills. An understanding of what consumers want and the ability to give feedback on the quality and use of a product.
Perfect for:
People who want a fully online, highly flexible job, such as parents, students, or those looking to supplement their main income.
Expected salary:
The average annual range is from $20-95,000.
How to make yourself eligible:
Find your niche that you are qualified to review in and start reviewing products to build a portfolio of reviews and demonstrate your skills. You can do this by posting your reviews on websites, forums, or your personal pages.
Equipment needed:
WIFI, a computer, a camera is sometimes needed.
Future prospects:
There is next to no learning curve with this job, making it better suited to be a side job, part-time job, or a stop-gap between jobs.
Location:
Anywhere.
Where to look:
Try sites such as i-Say, Product Report Card, Toluna, Appen
9. Real Estate Agent
The role:
Real Estate Agents manage the sale or purchase of a property. They oversee everything from property selection to handling the mortgage process.
Qualifications Required:
A high school diploma and a real estate certification from a further education institute.
Skills Required:
Real Estate Agents need to have excellent interpersonal skills, strong negotiating capabilities, a flair for sales, and a keen interest in the property market.
Perfect for:
People who have a passion for real estate and who love client-facing roles with a sales element. It can be either part-time or full-time, depending on your availability, but, as the market is constantly evolving, it’s best suited for those looking for a long-term career.
Expected salary:
As a Real Estate Agent, your income will vary greatly depending on the role and the location you’re covering. The average annual salary ranges from $24-101k, with an average of $48,000 per year.
How to make yourself eligible:
Obtain the necessary qualifications, such as a pre-license, and pass the certification exam. Getting to know the trends in the local property market will be a great help.
Equipment needed:
A computer, WIFI, a phone, a car, website memberships to different property sites.
Future prospects:
Real Estate Agents can further their career by working their way up to high-value properties and building a network of returning clients. Realtors can be self-employed or work for an agency, it can be full-time or part-time, however, the more hours you work, the higher your earning potential will be.
Location:
Remote Estate Agents need to be local to inspect properties.
Where to look:
Search online work marketplaces, including FlexJobs, UpWork, We Work Remotely, or Working Nomads.
10. Tax Preparer
The role:
A Tax Preparer works with customers to resolve tax-related questions, offer tax-related advice, help prepare tax returns, and carry out tax calculations.
Qualifications Required:
A high school diploma is a minimum requirement. IRS registration and a further education certification boost your salary expectations.
Skills Required:
As an entry-level Tax Preparer, you will need to have a strong grasp of basic mathematics, familiarity with how the tax process works, and an idea of how to use general accounting software. Those with experience in accounting, bookkeeping, tax compliance, and Intuit QuickBooks have a higher earning potential.
Perfect for:
People with excellent attention to detail who are prepared to work under pressure during certain times of the year.
Expected salary:
The annual salary ranges from $23-59,000, with an average wage of $43,000 a year.
How to make yourself eligible:
Get a PTIN from the IRS.
Equipment needed:
A computer, a cell phone, WIFI, tax preparation software.
Future prospects:
Tax preparation can be a reliable and well-paid job. If you want to make it a career, you should look into further education courses in accounting or tax consulting.
Location:
Anywhere, provided you are able to work across US timezones.
Where to look:
Online work marketplaces, like FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, or Working Nomads.
Key Takeaways
Time has proven that working from home is a great option for workers who want more freedom. Remote workers have proven to be more productive and happier overall, and companies are taking notice. Whether you’re looking for a fully remote job within an organization or you want to go out on your own, there are plenty of options out there for you even if you have little or no experience. Check freelance websites and recruitment sites regularly to keep your finger on the pulse, and take a step closer to the freedom of being a digital nomad.
