What are online jobs?
What comes to mind when you hear, online jobs? For most people, the phrase is, data entry. Data entry was one of the very first jobs that moved to the online space so it’s no wonder that it quickly pops into mind when a discussion on online jobs comes up. At least for me, that was the first job I heard about that could be done online.
More and more, especially as we experience the growth in technology, most businesses are moving to the online space. People are ditching the traditional brick and mortar. We are currently going through a health pandemic that has seen the closure of so many traditional jobs which relied on its employees commuting to the office and doing the jobs, in-house.
This has led to drastic measures by business owners in a bid to keep afloat. The way to do this is to transform them into online jobs and have a platform that is not dependent on the geographical location of the employer and/or employee.
What is needed to start online jobs?
Identify what you want to do
The first thing you need to establish before getting started with online jobs is identifying what you want to do. This could either be something that you are currently doing or something totally different. The choice is yours.
There are many categories of online jobs available, including admin support, customer service, design and creative, sales & marketing etc. These categories are further broken down. In the case of admin support, you will find transcription, web research, data entry, project management and virtual assistance.
Because of the expansiveness of the jobs, you can very well perform multiple online jobs. As you are not restricted to an office or a physical desk and you do not need to commute from one client to another, it is up to you to plan your time and provide your services to as many clients as you can handle. This doesn’t mean you should compromise on the quality as this is one of the top mistakes that can see you losing business fast!
Find a platform to use
When you do a quick search on online jobs, thousands upon thousands of search results come up. There are numerous platforms from where you can begin your online career. Whether you are looking to make a quick back to get yourself out of a sticky situation, or you are looking for a longterm well-paying job, there’s an online job for you. Some of the reputable sites that I would recommend, in no particular order, are:
I highly recommend Upwork as I have used it with great success for the past decade. The others on the list, I’ve heard great things about. Browse through them and see which one provides the opportunities you are looking for and get started.
Don’t wait until you have learned everything there is to learn about a particular site. If it’s a legit site, you can learn as you go. Most of these platforms have very friendly interfaces and you will be able to find your way around them with ease.
Create a profile showcasing your skills
Think of this as your CV. This is your skills in a snapshot. If you are just getting started, you might worry about not having the skills needed. You don’t have to be an expert in that field. You just have to be good at doing what is required and willing to learn more to sharpen your skills. For instance, you could already be very good with designing logos and banners but have not done it on a large scale.
That does not discount your graphic design skills. A good profile is authentic. Do not lie. Some people looking to hire are also getting started in their field and are looking for the most basic tasks to be performed. Enthusiasm trumps experience any day so get out there with a positive attitude. There’s someone looking for the qualities you have.
Start your bidding for online jobs
Meaning, get your profile in front of as many eyes as possible. But don’t overdo it. It’s better to send out three applications to people that seem like a fit for you than to send 15 just for the sake of numbers.
However, it is a numbers game and you want your profile to catch someone’s attention but it only works for you if that someone is a good fit. Add a video presentation to your profile, letting them know why they should hire you. This gives an impression of being open and you will stand out from so many other contenders.
Provide quality work
Your overall performance on the online jobs will determine your growth and success. It is important to create a great first impression to keep the clients coming back for more. Not only will they hire you again, but they will also refer you to their friends and colleagues. That is one of the quickest ways to grow in the online working space.
What are the benefits of online jobs?
Well, for starters, there’s money to be made in online jobs. How much you make and for how long you make it will be determined by your ability to keep providing top quality. It also depends on whether you are doing these jobs part-time or full-time. The level of skill provided will also factor into how much you get paid, overall. Two people could both be virtual assistants but the one providing social media management, for example, will take home more than one who is cleaning up the email inbox.
The other benefits of online jobs include, but are not limited to:
- No boss – beside yourself, of course! There’s no one looking over your shoulder shouting their demands. The running of the business start and end with you.
- No boundaries – you can work from anywhere. All you need, most of the time is a good computer and a strong internet connection. You choose your office for the day whether that’s a Starbucks or under the stars.
- No limit – there’s no limit to how much money you can make. You can work for multiple clients and get paid well for online jobs well done.
- No commute – unless you want to drive or take a train to your favorite spot, you can get your job done right in your pajamas! I especially don’t miss the long commute during the cold rainy mornings.
- No alarms – whether you are working 15 hours a week or 30 hours a week, you decide which 25 or 30 hours those are. If you are not a morning person and do your best work late in the night, you have the freedom to choose your hours and plan accordingly. You might have to put in extra hours when the workload is heavy but you also get to sleep in when things cool down a little.
Is there training for online jobs?
There are opportunities to increase your knowledge by taking available online certification courses. Display your certification proudly on your profile to let potential employers what you are good at. Some of the reputable places you can get great courses are:
- Udemy – This one I have personally used to get certified in Transcription, Social Media Marketing and also Podcasting Management. Their payment plan is on a pay-per-course model. They cover a vast majority of categories. As you browse through you see how the courses are rated, how many people have taken the courses etc. They have great deals with huge discounts from time and when you have an account with them you get notified when such deals take place. The resources from the courses are yours forever and you can refer back to them when you need to.
- Alison – An Alison certificate will provide a boost to an already glowing CV. With over 1000 courses, you will definitely find something that is in line with your career path. Their courses are free to study. You can opt for a premium membership which unlocks more features like ad-free learning, resume builder features, monthly discounts that can be accumulated and redeemed to purchase certificates and diplomas.
- LinkedInLearning – A subsidiary of LinkedIn, it is free to try for the first month. It offers certificates of completion to subscribers on completing the courses. As a member, you do not need to buy courses, rather you have access to go over as many learning materials as you wish. This makes the premium investment worth it.
- Skillshare – has a membership system at $15 monthly and or a discounted annual rate of $99 per month (translating to $8.25 per month). It has an attractive incentive of two free months to start. It has great reviews and a huge following and the courses are definitely worth giving a try. You can do so much with two months of free access to courses. Once the two months are over, you have a chance to either cancel your membership or pay to get membership status.
I hope that helps you see that it really is possible to get started on online jobs TODAY. Start where you are and with what you have. Most things can be implemented as you go. At the very least, create a profile today. Yes, right now.