On January 21, 2020, the first novel coronavirus infection was recorded in the United States. The pandemic has reached our country.
When news of a flu-like virus outbreak started in December 2019 in China, no one expected it to be a large threat on a global scale. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic by the end of January.
Countries responded to the battle by closing offices, stores, schools, and borders. Everything was put on hold. Everyone had to stay inside their homes–both to keep yourself and others safe.
Many people filed for unemployment because businesses are finding ways to save money or shutting down completely. In April 2020, the unemployment rate in the U.S. jumped to 14.7%. About 20.5 million people lost their jobs, according to the Labor Department.
Now more than ever, people are turning to home-based jobs to support their family and their daily needs.
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What is a home-based job?
A home-based job is a work that you can do remotely, usually from your home. With technological advances, such as the internet, laptops, and web programs, work that is normally done in an office can be done anywhere there’s an internet connection.
It’s the perfect solution for when there are unexpected situations such as business failures, sudden lay-offs, and now, a pandemic.
What kind of home-based job can I do?
One thing the pandemic has proven is that there is a lot of work that can be done at home. (despite some notions that there are little opportunities for home-based work).
The number of home-based jobs has been increasing. More than that, there are a lot of recruitment companies dedicated to remote work. Notably, there’s Upwork, Fiverr, and Remote Employment. You can even find listings for work on Craigslist and Indeed.com.
Here’s a round-up of home-based work that you can do that’s pandemic-proof!
1. Transcription Work
The first type of home-based work requires keen ears and eye for details. Transcription work is a job that transcribes audio recordings, videos, or documents.
Transcriptionists may be sent recordings of conference calls, interviews, or meetings. In return, a transcriptionist would need to transcribe the conversation into a document.
What You Need: Headset, Laptop or Tablet, Document Program, Quiet Room, and Internet Connection
2. Data Entry Jobs
Another type of job that requires transcribing work is data entry jobs. The difference between a transcription job from a data entry job is the source of data.
Most data entry jobs require research on the internet. For example, you need to create a list of available restaurants in a specific area. Aside from the name of the restaurant, you’ll be asked to fill in details such as an address, telephone number, email address, and menu specialty.
Other data entry jobs provide scanned copies of documents that you need to digitize or re-type into a document. Some documents are handwritten, so you also need to be adept in recognizing words that may not be obvious immediately.
What You Need: Laptop or Tablet, Document Program, and Internet Connection
3. Tax Preparer
A true pandemic-proof job is to become a tax preparer. Whatever happens, everyone needs to prepare their taxes. What’s great is that it is work that you can do in the comfort of your home.
A tax preparer is a professional that can calculate, file, and sign income tax returns on behalf of their clients. Contrary to common belief, you don’t have to be an accountant to become a tax preparer. Becoming a tax preparer can become a career and business in one.
Start your career with tax preparation training. The IRS also provides an Annual Filing Season Program for any tax professional that wants to better themselves. Next, you need to file for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If you would like to start your own practice, you also need an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN).
Worried about handling taxes and numbers? Nowadays, professional tax preparation software has drastically made tax preparation easier. All you need to do is input your client’s data and apply the knowledge you learned from your training.
The Ultimate Guide for New Tax Preparers is the best guide that can help you learn how to become a tax preparer.
What You Need: Professional Tax Software, Laptop or PC, Communication Apps (Email or Video Calling), Internet Connection, PTIN, EFIN, EIN
4. Online Tutoring
When schools are out, parents are tasked with homeschooling their children while working at the same time. If you have skills in teaching math, science, or literature, you can apply as a tutor for students.
At this time, your teaching skills would be applied virtually. Aside from teaching concepts, you also need to ensure you can engage your students even without being physically present. Teaching aids like bright colored toys or interesting web-based games can help!
What You Need: Communication App (Skype, Zoom, or Google Meet), Web-based Games, Teaching Curriculum, Laptop or Tablet, Internet Connection
5. English as Second Language (ESL) Online Tutoring
If you’re not confident in teaching school subjects, why not teach your native language instead? Foreigners are looking for native English speakers that can help them practice their English speaking skills.
There are companies that offer these services to foreigners and employ native speakers (only). For a specified time, you can have a conversation with your student. During the conversation, you can correct your student’s mistakes or explain how he can improve his speaking skills better.
Companies may need you to go through an assessment and interview first before becoming an ESL online tutor. You may also need to follow a specific schedule for the classes.
What You Need: Headset, Laptop or Tablet, Company Web-based App, Internet Connection
6. Translation Jobs
Know more than one language? You can become a translator! Get paid for translating words from English to another language or vice versa.
Most often, translators are given a document that they need to translate within a given period of time. It could vary to fiction books, manuals, or publicity materials.
Instructions are sent to make sure the output meets the standards set. For example, if you’re working on a manual, you may need to use formal or jargon words in your translation. So, if your foreign language level is low, you can work on informal materials like essays or publicity materials.
What You Need: Foreign Language Expertise, Document Program, Laptop or Tablet, Internet Connection
7. Customer Service Jobs
Everyone needs help from time-to-time. Everyone calls customer service centers at least once. With the recent pandemic situation, customer service centers are shifting their operations to home-based.
There are two types of customer service jobs: voice and non-voice. Voice customer service jobs involve talking to customers on the phone or through VoIP. Non-voice customer service jobs answer customer concerns using emails or chat.
If you do not have a quiet room, it’s better to work on non-voice accounts. However, if writing is not your forte, voice accounts may be up your alley. Using tools such as VPN and VoIP, the customer service center can forward calls or concern tickets and provide you with a system while you’re at home.
Just remember, when you apply for a customer service job, you have to check that they have home-based or remote work positions. Do not confuse this with the office-based customer service jobs. Since office-based jobs are the norm, you have to be careful in applying and clarify first.
What You Need: VoIP, Web-based App, Headset, Laptop, Internet Connection
Why should I consider a Home-based Job?
With home-based jobs, you can afford to work at the comfort and safety of your home. If there’s a pandemic, the best place to be in is your home. You can lessen possible instances of infection when you don’t need to go outside to work.
If you have a home-based job, you won’t have to worry about losing your job. What’s great with home-based jobs is that it’s project-based at times. You can finish a project and then look for another one. So if a business goes bankrupt, you won’t be too scared because you won’t be dependent on that business alone.
Speaking of being dependent, these home-based jobs don’t have to be your full-time job as well. You can keep these as side gigs in order to earn more money during your free time.
If you’re serious about having a home-based career, then becoming a tax preparer is the best choice for you. The tax preparation season is only from January to April. That’s the only time when you’ll be busy. If you choose to expand your business in the future, you can work as a professional tax software reseller during the off-peak season.
The world of business has changed alongside technological advances. Through the use of the internet, you can earn a living without risking your life during a pandemic.
About Carson Derrow
