5 Types of Jobs You Can Do From Home

 Do you like the idea of not having to commute in morning traffic, or even get dressed up for work each day? You’re not alone. According to GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, 80-90% of the US workforce would like to telework. Whether full-time or part-time, having the ability to work from home has become more popular than ever, as employees benefit from simple pleasures such as increased flexibility, less stress, and a better work-life balance, and employers realize that they can benefit, too.

Having employees who telework can help reduce overhead costs for employers and give them more satisfied and productive employees. With this growing trend, more employers are opening up positions to enable their employees to work from home. While not all jobs are conducive to a work at home situation, there are certain types of jobs that are:

1. Medical- If you have the required background and experience, you can find certain medical positions that are geared for working from home. Registered nurses, for example, can find opportunities to work from home answering phone calls for medical advice or providing other patient support. Medical coding jobs can also be done from home.

2. Customer service- This is one of the first types of jobs we tend to think of when considering jobs that can be done from home. If you are interested in providing customer support and have the skills needed (patience, good communication skills) then this could be a good option for you.

3. Writing- Freelance writing gives you the flexibility and freedom to decide how much work you want to do and when you want to do it. While you won’t get benefits and the amount of work will fluctuate, if you want to make a living as a writer and you want the freedom of being able to create your own schedule and complete your work wherever you want, freelancing is a great option. Companies hiring writers may also be open to allowing telecommuting, as writing can be done from virtually anywhere.

4. Bookkeeping- You can start your own business and offer bookkeeping services to different clients, or, if you don’t want the complications that come with starting your own business, you can look for a position with a business that is searching for a bookkeeper. Either way, this is a job that doesn’t require you to be in an office.

5. Graphic design- Graphic design and other types of IT jobs often require little interaction with others and can therefore be completed outside of an office environment. You can either look for a company that’s hiring for a telecommuting position, or complete freelance jobs on your own.

Working from home isn’t for everyone. While it may be convenient, it also requires discipline and may limit professional growth opportunities. If your goal is to be in a position where you are managing others, you may be required or find it necessary to be present in the office rather than working at home. Likewise, if you thrive off of personal interactions with others, then this is probably not the right type of work environment for you.

If you are the type of person who can be productive while working on your own outside of an office, however, you may want to consider looking for a job that provides this type of flexibility. As an individual with a disability, you can benefit in other ways as well. You may already have an environment set up at home that caters to any accommodation requirements you may have had to request to work in an office. It may also help overcome any transportation difficulties in getting to work. If being able to work flexible hours is important for you to be able to perform at your best, being able to manage your own working hours at home can be a big benefit too. Employers who offer opportunities for their employees to work from home are automatically eliminating certain potential barriers to qualified employees.

It’s important to note that not all work from home jobs are legitimate and you have to be careful when looking for these types of jobs. Always beware of job postings that require payment or that ask for personal information, such as a social security number.

Working from home is certainly not limited to the types of jobs included in this article. And while not all companies may advertise telecommuting positions, they may be open to a discussion with current employees who have demonstrated their ability to complete the job and would like the opportunity to work from home. Whether you’re looking for a new job, or desire increased flexibility within a current position, working from home could be the solution.

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