3 In-Demand Jobs That Let You Work Remotely

3 In-Demand Jobs That Let You Work Remotely

Staying at home for your job has some major advantages, and it's more possible than it ever has been.

For many people, working from home represents the ultimate dream.

An at-home job means no more commuting, no more traffic, and in many cases, the ability to wear your pajamas to work, if that's what you want to do. Of course, there are downsides to having an at-home job, and working from home requires discipline, but the advantages can be big.

Technology has made working from home easier, and a number of major companies have begun hiring remote workers. In fact, as of 2015, stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), show that nearly a quarter of all U.S. jobs (24%) involve working at least some of the time from home. The availability of at-home jobs can vary greatly by state, but the following three fields have become in-demand fields looking for remote workers.

WORKING FROM HOME IS A DREAM FOR MANY PEOPLE. IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

Customer service

For many years, companies sent their customer service operations overseas. In recent years, that trend has reversed with a number of big brands bringing their call centers back to the United States and in some cases using remote workers.

Amazonhas become one of the leaders in telework by adding what it calls "virtual (or "work-from-home") positions in some states. These include permanent and seasonal positions, and the company shows over 200 openings on its hiring page at the time this was written as part of a plan to add 5,000 additional remote eworkers in 2017.

Amazon's customer service jobs vary in pay based on skill level required, but basic customer service positions start at $10 an hour. The company notes that during busy times, specifically the holiday season, overtime can be mandatory, and workers may work as many as 60 hours.

The online retail leader is not the only company hiring virtual customer service people. Demand for at-home workers in this space increases particularly during the holiday season, and higher hourly rates can be found in a field requiring specific expertise (such as software support).

Journalist

As a work-from-home journalist writing this while sitting on my couch wearing the clothes I slept in, I can vouch for an explosion of remote journalism positions. In the past, most at-home writers were either freelancers, cobbling together a living from multiple employers, or high-level writers who could command top dollars for assignments.

In the current market, a new class of jobs has emerged. There are numerous companies, generally online-only media outlets, hiring staff journalists on a work-from-home basis. Job site Indeed.com shows work-from-home positions at websites including INC. Research, which has 22,000 employees, as well as smaller websites like Bustle, a female-focused site. In addition, a number of financial sites like NerdWallet (and The Motley Fool) mix in-house staff with work-from-home writers. 

Unlike the freelance jobs of the past, some of these positions offer salaries, benefits, and the other perks of being employed -- all without having to go into a physical newsroom. In fact, media (along with arts, design, entertainment, and sports) is the field where telecommuting is the third-most likely, according to FlexJobs. Moreover, media workers are two times more likely to work from home than those in other professions. 

Programmer/developer

The demand for people who can code has become so intense that in many cases the programmer/developer holds all the cards. That may not be the case at absolute top-tier tech companies, but in general, there are more available coding/developer/programmers jobs available than there are people to fill them.

"As computer technology becomes more pervasive in our society and companies spend increasing amounts of capital for information technology, the demand for high-skilled computer labor skyrockets," wrote a group of Stanford researchers in their paper "The Programmer Shortage." "The current supply of these essential employees is not capable of meeting the high demand."

If you don't have the needed skills, it's actually possible to get them relatively quickly. There are code boot camps, which are short-term programs designed to teach basic skills, as well as higher-end programs turn experienced amateur programmers into top-level developers.

Programming jobs can run the gamut when it comes to salary. People doing basic front-end coding like HTML and CSS may make hourly wages or more modest salaries. Skilled back-end developer can not only earn six figure salaries -- in many cases, they can also command significant perks.

Programming is also a field where many who make big money don't have degrees. In most cases, if you can pass a test or prove you can write the code, it won't matter if you went to school or what your previous work experience is.

It's not for everyone

While work-from-home jobs have become more available, it's important to remember that there are positives and negatives to taking one. Not having to commute saves money and frees up time, but working from home can be lonely.

It's great to have the flexibility to work wherever you are, and the prospect of not sitting in rush hour traffic is enticing, but working from home requires discipline to actually get your job done. Home can be full of distractions in ways that an office is not, making it harder for some people to get the job done. Before taking a telecommuting job, it's important to consider whether you have the personality to actually perform it well.

Daniel Kline has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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AUTHOR

Daniel B. Kline(TMFDankline)

Daniel B. Kline is an accomplished writer and editor who has worked for Microsoft on its Finance app and The Boston Globe, where he wrote for the paper and ran the Boston.com business desk. His latest book, "Worst Ideas Ever," (Skyhorse) can be purchased at bookstores everywhere.

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How to Cope When a Great Boss Resigns

It's a bummer of a situation. Here's how to get through it.

Maurie BackmanOct 3, 2019 at 6:18AM

Terrific bosses aren't always easy to come by. If your manager falls into that category, you no doubt realize how lucky you are. But what happens when your boss decides to move on? Suddenly, you're left reeling over the loss of a great leader, not to mention the unknowns that come with getting a new manager. It's a tough situation to land in, but here's how to handle it.

1. Embrace the remaining perks of working at your company

Chances are, your soon-to-be former boss isn't the only factor keeping you at your company. Maybe your employer offers excellent health benefits, a generous 401(k) match, and enough flexibility to give you a decent work-life balance. Rather than harp on what you're losing, try focusing on the perks that come with staying with your employer, because at the very least, it'll help soften the blow.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

2. Enlist your teammates' support

You're not the only one losing out on a great manager. Your teammates are in the very same boat, so why not lean on each other as you adjust to the news? Expressing the fact that you're bummed beyond belief could help you better come to terms with your new reality, especially if you can do so in the presence of others who feel similarly.

3. Be open-minded toward your new boss

Just because you're losing a great manager doesn't mean his or her replacement won't also be excellent. Before you resign yourself to being miserable in your boss's absence, ask some questions about your new boss. You may find that he or she comes with a ton of experience and glowing recommendations from former direct reports. In fact, it pays to have a little faith in your company's ability to find a suitable replacement, especially since your employer did such a solid job of hiring your beloved manager in the first place.

4. Pledge to stay in touch

Losing a great boss can sting professionally, but it can also hurt on a personal level. Before your manager leaves for good, make it clear that you're looking to remain in touch. Exchange personal contact information, and, if possible, set up some concrete plans to meet up once your boss is settled in his or her new role, whether it's lunch during the week or a drink after work. Also, you never know what opportunities may be available to you at your manager's new place of work, and staying in touch will keep those options on the table. Plus, if you do encounter some issues while adjusting to your new boss, your former manager may be able to offer advice and support from afar.

There's no question about it: Losing an excellent boss is a tough thing. But remember, the more helpful you are to your new boss as he or she ramps up, the better that relationship is likely to be. It also never hurts to respectfully loop your new boss in on the things that made your former manager so great. With any luck, he or she will be open to that feedback, and will use it to make work life more pleasant for your team on a whole.