INSIDE: Thinking about looking for remote work? In this article, you’ll learn about the benefits of this type of work, how much you can get paid, and the best telecommute jobs to look for.
The work-at-home world has evolved a lot since I joined it in 2007. More and more companies have joined the ranks of offering remote positions. More and more industries have figured out how to send their employees and independent contractors home. Today, we are looking at a few of the best remote opportunities and telecommute jobs to consider in 2021.
What are the advantages of telecommute jobs?
One thing you may notice quickly as a new remote job seeker is that the majority of them are not full-time, or at the very least, do not offer employee benefits. Many companies classify their remote team as independent contractors as opposed to employees. While that may be a drawback for many, there is an upside.
As an independent contractor, you may have more control over your schedule. You will likely be able to pick your own hours. And work-life balance is what many people drawn to telecommute jobs are looking for.
How much do telecommute jobs pay per year?
Remote work policy varies great from remote company to company and industry to industry. That includes pay.
Some remote jobs pay only minimum wage, or less. Some jobs pay six figures. It often comes down to the education and training required, the complexity of the job and even how many other perks a position offers. Some companies pay less but offer a more flexible work schedule.
Some companies pay less but offer employee benefits like health insurance. You will have a lot to consider when researching remote work opportunities.
Best types of telecommute jobs
Telecommuting opportunities run the gamut today and there’s something for almost everyone regardless of education and past work experience. Here are 10 of the best telecommute jobs right now.
1. Telehealth
Telehealth has been on the rise in recent years, and 2020 really kicked things into high gear. If you are a registered nurse or have a medical background, you may be able to find a remote job that utilizes your training and education.
Top companies hiring for telehealth telecommute positions include:
- Soliant Health
- Noom
- Doctor on Demand
- Aetna
- United HealthGroup
- Broadpath
Here are 5 other medical jobs that allow you to telecommute.
2. Online Teaching
Online education is another industry that experienced a big boon in 2020 and is considered one of the best telecommute jobs. Predictions are that this trend will continue into 2021. If you have teaching credentials, you may not only find plenty of remote job openings online but also in your own community.
Start by researching schools in your area who are looking for remote substitute teachers and online tutors. You may also want to look into online test scoring which is a seasonal, but popular, remote job.
The following companies also regularly have openings for qualified teachers:
- Kaplan
- Pearson
- Rosetta Stone
- K12
- Achieve Test Prep
- Measurement Inc
3. Virtual Assistance
If you come from an administrative or marketing background, there are always companies looking for virtual assistants and social media managers. Company size can run from Fortune 500 down to solopreneurs in need of someone to answer emails.
This is definitely one of the best telecommute jobs if helping people is your passion, even more so if you want to start your own virtual assistant business someday.
A few companies that hire regularly for these roles:
- Profit Factory
- BELAY
- Time Etc.
- Boldly
4. Customer Service
- Kelly Services
- SYKES
- Alorica
- LiveOps
- VIPdesk
- Working Solutions
- TTEC
- Williams-Sonoma
5. Freelance Writing
If you love writing and online research, there is no shortage of freelance writing openings. These roles are often very flexible and can be very rewarding. From big companies to small, independent blogs have a never-ending need for online content.
- Cactus Communications
- Elite Daily
- Dotdash
You will also find many specialized job boards for this industry including Problogger’s job board, FreelanceWriting.com, Upwork, and more.
6. Bookkeeping & Accounting
If you are great with numbers, there are occasionally openings in the bookkeeping and accounting industries as well. These require a high-level of detail and most want prior work experience.
- Supporting Strategies
- BELAY
7. Transcription
This can be a great gig for those looking for flexible work. Transcription requires listening to an audio or video recording and typing what is said into text. Therefore, you will need a keen ear and great typing skills.
The good news is that this is a remote industry you can get into without any training or prior experience. It doesn’t pay the best to start out, but you can level up into better positions as your speed and accuracy increase.
Companies to consider:
- Rev.com
- TranscribeMe
8. Evaluation & Assessment
This may be an industry to overlook if you desire to become a remote employee. Ad rating, search engine evaluation and other assessment opportunities in this industry are typically independent contractor roles.
That being said, consider looking into roles with below two companies if you need a remote position with a lot of flexibility. These gigs are often short-term and allow you to work on your own schedule depending on the position.
- Lionbridge
- Appen
9. Translators & Interpreters
If you are bilingual, there could be a company out there looking to employ your skills right now. These telework opportunities may have you working with hospitals, schools and beyond. This is a growing industry with many more opportunities to come, making it one of the best telecommute jobs. There are even remote roles for those fluent in sign language.
- LanguageLine Solutions
10. Travel-Related Jobs
People are not going to stay home forever. We are already seeing an increase in air travel and many people will want to take advantage of vacation plans that were delayed once things open on a more widespread basis.
Many of the big companies you are familiar with offer work-at-home job opportunities.
- Hilton Worldwide
- Enterprise
- Hipcamp
- AirportParkingReservations.com
For more of the best telecommute jobs, view our list of 100 legit work-from-home companies here.
How to find telecommute positions in your area
Once you have decided telecommuting is for you, your next step is to start looking for remote job listings. The companies mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg!
There are a lot of crooks out there targeting the work-at-home crowd, so it is imperative that you learn how to spot a scam. Always do your research. Always be on the lookout for red flags during your job search. And always trust your gut. When you do, you’ll be sure to find the best telecommute jobs.
Best Local Telecommute Jobs
Online opportunities have exploded recently. You may be able to find one in your own backyard where there is less competition. Reach out to your person network and ask if anyone is working from home and if so if their company is hiring. You can also sign up for local job alerts on Facebook.
Remote Job Board Websites
There are several remote job boards to keep an eye on. Indeed is a popular one for both online and offline job listings. Use search terms like “work from home,” “remote,” and “telecommute.”
FlexJobs is a job board that requires a paid membership, but it can be worth the small fee. This is especially true if you are short on time. The website allows you to search by categories and tags important to remote job seekers such as full-time or part-time, employee or independent contractor, and more. This job board is specifically designed for those seeking flexible work. Bonus: They vet all of their listings for legitimacy so you don’t need to worry about scams.
Craigslist
Many people find a remote job on Craigslist. If you care to venture into this site, however, it’s so important you employ your “spidey senses.” Scammers run rampant here. Always remember. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And it could be expensive if you fall for it!
How do you pitch a remote work opportunity?
Maybe the job you have now is your dream job – if only it were at home. Perhaps a telecommuting arrangement was something your company discussed but could never quite hammer out with the current state of the world. Or maybe you were hired after the pandemic or are being asked to return to the office now. It never hurts to bring it up again!
Speak to your company’s hiring manager about the possibility of taking your role home full-time. Ask them what the current obstacles are and come ready with solutions for a successful remote work arrangement.
Final thoughts about the best telecommute jobs
Being a remote worker isn’t right for everyone, but it may be just what you are looking for. With the information above, you can be off to a great start in finding the remote opportunity that will work for you.