Work from Home: Career Exploration Tips

Career Exploration Tips

Work from home jobs appeal to many people, including to those with disabilities. Not only does it eliminate transportation barriers and a commute, but it also saves money in gas, vehicle maintenance, and clothing.

Opportunities to work from home increased dramatically during the pandemic. When able to, companies moved swiftly to ensure their staff could work remotely if the job allowed for it. Once employees demonstrated they could deliver the same work product remotely, some companies ceased their leases of large office spaces, opting for a fully remote workforce.

It Seems Remote Work is Here to Stay

While some companies are now requiring employees to return to the office, it’s evident that many people appreciate the flexibility to work remotely and aren’t keen to return to the office full-time. According to BetterUp, employees in hybrid or remote work settings at the onset of the pandemic in 2020 felt more supported, more cared for, and had a greater sense of belonging as compared to those who reported for work in person. It seems remote work (and hybrid) setups are here to stay.

A common question asked of ERI’s employment specialists is “How can I get a job that I can do at home?”

1. Find a reliable source for work from home jobs.

There are many online resources available to help people find work from home jobs. We found a few that appear to be reliable.

Pro Tip: Search by remote location when looking for a job on a career or company website.

National Labor Shortage
LinkedIn Jobs
Indeed.com
ZipRecruiter
FlexJobs
- ERI has partnered with FlexJobs to make it easy to find and apply for legitimate work from home opportunities with reputable companies. This is a paid resource.

FlexJobs recently compiled a list of the largest work from home employers in the world. Check out the Top 100 Companies with Remote Jobs.

2. Be vigilant – avoid scams.

Be aware that there are many scams on the internet for work from home jobs. Here are some red flags:

You have to pay a fee before you can earn.
The job promises a lot of money for little work. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The company asks for personal or financial information over email, text messages or over the phone.
There is little available information about the company.

Watch How to Avoid Scams, created by FlexJobs. If you feel you’ve been scammed, contact your local or state consumer affairs agency or your state attorney general’s office to learn what your options are.

3. Know what an employer’s minimum requirements are for a job.

An employer may require all applicants to meet certain basic requirements before looking at their application. Some requirements could include:

High School Diploma/GED.
Ability to work a set schedule which often includes weekends and full-time training hours.
PC with minimum processing requirements.
Proficient computer skills.
High Speed Internet service.
Quiet, noise free home office space, free of distractions.

Minimum requirements may vary by employer. Get to know the company you’re applying to, and make sure you meet their minimum requirements before applying.

4. Keep an open mind.

Work from home opportunities are moving way beyond the traditional fields of technology and customer service. Keep an open mind to jobs that you may have never considered before. Laura Spawn, President and CEO of Virtual Vocations, says,

“Over the years, we have screened over a million jobs and definitely come across some unusual work from home positions including a Remote Mattress Reviewer, Awesomeness Phone Reminder, and Virtual Dandruff Control Product Reviewer.”

With work-from-home opportunities continuing to grow, this is an exciting time to explore what’s available. Your dream job no longer has to include a corner office in a fancy high rise with a view. Although that continues to appeal to some, there are a variety of options out there to fit the skills and lifestyle that best define you.