You might specialize in specific types of buildings, residential, medical, or hotels, even precise rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Corporate designers create interior designs for professional workplaces. Healthcare designers plan and renovate healthcare centers, clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and residential care facilities. Kitchen and bath designers focus on kitchens and bathrooms and have expert understanding of cabinet, fixture, appliance, plumbing, and electrical needs. Sustainable designers are keen on devising ways to improve energy and water efficiencies and indoor air quality, as well as using environmentally sustainable products.
Certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council indicates expertise in designing buildings and spaces with sustainable practices in mind. Finally, universal designers revamp spaces to make them more accessible for an aging population or those with disabilities. Possible employers include home furnishings stores, architectural firms, and commercial and residential real estate development firms.
You may, of course, find yourself sketching the old-fashioned way with pad and pen as an inspired idea takes shape. You must be able to translate your concept into words, too. An underlying ability to perceive what appeals to your clients is essential.
This is a collaborative process. Tweaking and redesigns come with the territory. Be prepared for hours at the computer and last-minute crushes for deadlines. A designer might be employed with a variety of industry firms to develop publicity or advertising materials for the organization, or you might find a job with a media company or an advertising or design agency and work with a smorgasbord of clients and projects. Many graphic designers are independent contractors who work from home on a per-project basis.
JournalismJobs.com provides a range of postings for part-time writing and editing jobs. Freelance writers can find postings on Freelancer.com or Upwork.com. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can flag recruiters on the site to send along periodic contract or freelance openings from employers' job postings that suit your experience. You can also set up your own shop to provide these résumé- and essay-tuning services.
For more general writing gigs, you might reach out to local associations and organizations, community newsletters, and other regional publications. Ask if they need an extra hand on an assignment basis for online and print articles, brochures, and press releases. Freelance writers and editors typically set their own schedules based on deadlines.
One possible perk: comped trips of your own to appraise hotels, resorts, and restaurants for prospective clients.
The Travel Institute (thetravelinstitute.com) offers training and professional certifications. The International Air Transport Association (iata.org) has a program for “travel and tourism professional” as well as “consultant.” The Cruise Lines International Association (cruising.org), meanwhile, offers its own certifications.
In some cases, architects provide predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design requirements. Architects may also help clients get construction bids, select contractors, and negotiate construction contracts. Employment of architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs for the construction and renovation of homes, offices, retail stores, and other structures. Many school districts and universities are expected to build new facilities or renovate existing ones. In addition, demand is expected for more healthcare facilities as the Baby Boomer population ages and as more people use healthcare services.
Demand for architects with a knowledge of “green design,” also called sustainable design, is expected to continue. Architects should be needed to design buildings and structures that efficiently use resources, such as energy and water conservation; reduce waste and pollution; and apply environmentally friendly design, specifications, and materials.
About two-thirds of states require that architects hold a degree in architecture from one of more than 120 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB.org). State licensing requirements can be found at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB.org).
All states and the District of Columbia require architects to be licensed. Licensing requirements typically include completing a degree program in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.
Interpreters and translators must be fluent in at least two languages. A subject area of expertise helps. No official certifications are required, although several are offered through trade organizations, such as the American Translators Association (atanet.org), which provides certification in 24 language combinations involving English for its members. Federal courts have certification for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole interpreters, and many state and municipal courts offer their own forms of certification. The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (najit.org) also offers certification for court interpreting. The U.S. Department of State has a three-test series for prospective interpreters. The International Association of Conference Interpreters offers certification for conference interpreters.
If you have solid language skills, you can get translation training at community colleges and universities to prepare you for a translator certification. The American Translators Association has a list of programs it approves, along with a job bank when you're ready. The All Language Alliance (languagealliance.com) also connects job seekers and positions. Internships, apprenticeships, and volunteering via community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events that involve international competitors will build your résumé. The ATA also offers formal mentoring programs and has chapters in many states. Examples of remote translation job titles: Business Translator, Document Proofreader, and Bilingual Writer. After you pass the skills test on Rev.com, you can make between $24 and $39 for each audio hour of transcription.
This job demands a focused, structured approach. Tracking down delinquent accounts can be stressful. Conveying bad financial news to a client entails a steady pragmatic demeanor.
Financial managers work in many industries, including banks and insurance companies. Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Several core functions of financial managers, including risk management and cash management, are expected to be in high demand over the next decade,” according to the researchers.
Other key skills to have in your kit: data entry and being adept with financial and accounting computer software such as QuickBooks (quickbooksonline.com).
Expect to book copious hours between January and the April tax deadline, particularly if you sign up with a tax preparation firm.
What's more, a planner advises on how to draw down funds from accounts when needed and handle estate-planning and tax matters. It's a trust relationship, so it can take some building and slow steps. There are also money management jobs that aren't as full-blown as a planner. Consider starting a home-based job-paying or budgeting service that helps people track their monthly inflow and outflow and make sure payments are timely.
That said, take the time to prepare properly. To learn more about the training necessary, visit the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards at cfp.net. The CFP designation is a professional certification mark for financial planners conferred by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Substantial coursework and a comprehensive, 10-hour exam are required to achieve this title. In general, you'll need a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in any discipline, from an accredited college or university. If you already have an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or Certified Public Accountants (CPA) credential, for example, you can register for and take the exam without having to complete the education requirements.
You must keep current with the annual certification fee and complete the continuing education (CE) requirement every two years. You can also do a search on the websites of the Financial Planning Association (onefpa.org), the Garrett Planning Network (garrettplanningnetwork.com), and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org). Another excellent source is the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE.org) website.
One popular job title: Front-End Developer. Front-end developers code the front end of a website by converting design files into HTML, JavaScript, or CSS. The online nature of this role makes it one of the best remote jobs to do from any location.
Some of the fun of managing an online brand—whether it is a person or a business—is choosing what content to feature on social media channels. Duties may include keeping a site fresh by posting timely blogs, or other news content that you ghostwrite or edit for your client. You'll chime in with online discussions and industry news as your boss's alter ego, retweet other people's posts that reflect positively on your client, and swat back spam when necessary. Tracking metrics and engagement are also tasks that fall under your jurisdiction.
The job can involve sitting for long periods, so take precautions to prevent eyestrain, stress, and repetitive motion ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Look for openings and information at the International Virtual Assistants Association (ivaa.org) and Upwork.com. You can also canvas virtual assistant roles via online job boards. Search for “virtual assistant.”
An online employer like Tutor.com, which offers one-on-one help to students, is set up so that when a student needs assistance with homework, he or she enters a grade level and subject (such as algebra or AP Chemistry) into the computer log-on screen. The appropriate tutor (the firm has more than 3,000, including certified teachers, college professors, graduate students, and professionals with master's degrees, PhDs, and Ivy League credentials) connects to the student inside the secure online classroom. The student and tutor can chat using instant messaging, draw problems on an interactive whiteboard, share a file to review essays and papers, and browse resources on the web together. With individual accounts, sessions are saved so that students and parents can review them at any time. Course levels range from elementary school through twelfth grade and the first year of college, but tutors also can help adults returning to school or searching for a job.
Other online tutoring firms include Wyzant (wyzant.com), which tutors people in more than 300 subjects from accounting to physics to writing. Many of Wyzant's 80,000 tutors are, or have been, teachers or have advanced degrees. Outschool (outschool.com), which offers 10,000 video-assisted classes from preschool through high school, hires instructors who don't need teaching certification, but rather based an individual's work expertise; it pays up to $40 an hour.
But if you have a skill you can pass along, you may be in demand. Prospective tutors complete a proficiency exam for certain subjects, or provide written qualifications. Kaplan and Pearson Education are two more firms to consider.
For general information about tutoring, visit the American Tutoring Association (americantutoringassociation.org/) or National Tutoring Association (ntatutor.com) websites. Or you might opt to tutor on your own. You'll probably forgo the bells and whistles of the interactive whiteboard, but you can easily set up chat sessions and send files back and forth with your students. And you can develop an ongoing relationship that provides steady work. Some firms ask you to plan on at least five hours a week.
In general, with a tutoring company, you take an online exam in the subject you wish to teach. If you pass, you will be given a mock session with an online tutor. Then you must pass a third-party background check and final exam. Knowledge of more than one subject is encouraged. Your computer must have high-speed internet access and be able to run the classroom software provided.
There is no certification to be a private tutor. Experts in a range of fields from nursing to finance to law and business may find opportunities, as can those with foreign language skills. If you're interested in becoming a college admissions counselor, you can learn more about how to prepare from the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECAonline.com) and Higher Educational Consultants Association (HECAonline.com). You can get paid $20 an hour to be a tutor at Chegg (chegg.com/tutors/become-a-tutor) or teach a class on Skillshare (skillshare.com) for a price you set.
Duties can include updating and writing syllabi, creating online course content, and using feedback to update course materials. You'll connect with subject matter experts to provide course content and training curriculum. The aim is to work with your clients to create custom training programs to meet their needs. You may also track employee performance and measure training aftermaths.
Virtual teachers may meet one on one with students via Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts, or in a group setting via a remote connection. Grading student work, keeping attendance sheets, and creating curriculum are commonly part of the duties. You may also help students to understand day-to-day living challenges and customs in the U.S. culture. Your job may cover coursework in other subjects (such as math and science) or even teaching those subjects directly.
The list of possible employers runs the scope from consumer products firms to university research centers to financial services organizations, government agencies, healthcare institutions, and advertising firms. You'll need to be a nitpicker for details, since this kind of work tends to rely on exact data reviews. For information about careers and salaries in market and survey research, contact the Insights Association (insightsassociation.org).
There's rising demand for special diets to tackle obesity, aging, allergies, and ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. And staying fit and eating healthy are typical life goals, particularly for those over age 50.
Duties range from meal designing to providing expert advice on, for instance, weight loss and lowering cholesterol levels. Potential employers include operators of wellness programs, supermarkets, schools, restaurants, hospitals, clinics, and nursing care facilities. You might opt to open your own practice as a nutrition or health coach. Appointments can be held via telephone or Zoom, Skype, or other video conferencing platform, so you and your client can work together quietly without interruption.
Massage therapists use a variety of treatments and techniques, and you may choose to specialize in one. My 90-year-old mother's therapist is known for her work with older adults and a gentle massage aimed at circulation, relaxation, and delivering the human touch. Your core work consists of assessing the client's medical past and delivering what the client seeks, whether that is a gentle or a more aggressive workout.
Coursework covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements and standards, clinical classification and coding systems, healthcare reimbursement methods, and database security.
Passing a certifying examination is not always obligatory, but employers prefer it. This certification is awarded by the American Health Information Management Association (ahima.org). Visit its website for complete information, including accredited schools and certification details.
At times, you might offer advice in making medical decisions, help locate a specialist or hospital, go with patients to doctor appointments, manage multiple-doctor care, and pick up prescriptions.
Knowing how to fill out insurance forms and even consult with doctors for better rates might fall under your service. Job openings range from working privately and remotely for one person or a couple to working on staff as an advocate at a local hospital, nursing home, rehab center, or insurance company. Some office time might be required.
It's a hot field thanks to the relentless innovation in medicine and healthcare. The necessity to communicate about research findings, products, devices, and services is rising. And there's a pressing need to convey new information to healthcare specialists, such as doctors and nurses, as well as patients and the general public. You might find work in traditional print publications, electronic publications, videos, podcasts, website content, and work with doctors and scientists.
Other job titles include Scientific Writer, Technical Writer, Regulatory Writer, HealthCare Marketer, HealthCare Journalist, or Communication Specialist. Remote jobs can be found at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device companies, government agencies, medical communication agencies, medical education companies, healthcare professionals associations, academic institutions, medical and healthcare book publishers, trade publications, and more.
Statisticians known as biostatisticians or biometricians typically work in pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, or hospitals. You may design studies to test whether drugs successfully treat diseases or medical conditions. They may also help identify the sources of outbreaks of illnesses in humans and animals. Other job titles: Quantitative Analysts, Market Research Analysts, Data Analysts, or Data Scientists.
You might be the gracious host for events that draw attention and presumably donations to your cause. You might be in charge of shepherding grant proposal requests to the proper foundations (see grant-writing jobs, p. XX), or of launching phone and direct mail appeals. If you're in search of a sizeable gift, you'll be out of your home office, building rapport over long lunches and get-togethers with potential donors in their offices and at their homes. If you delight in event planning, arranging parties with purpose, so to speak, that can be an energizing part of this job.
Customer service is the fifth most common remote job category on the job board FlexJobs (Flexjobs.com). Each of the companies below hired for the most work-from-home customer service jobs over other companies in the job board's database. These companies are a great place to start when looking for a work-from-home customer service job: Amazon, American Express, Apple, BCD Travel, Concentrix, Direct Interactions, The Hartford, Liveops, Sutherland, SYKES, Transcom, TTEC, U-Haul, Vivint Smart Home, and Working Solutions.
Sample job titles for these firms are Customer Service Team Manager, Customer Service Associate, Customer Care Professional, Corporate Travel Consultant, Sales and Service Representative, Retail Sales and Customer Service Advocate, Licensed Life and Health Insurance Sales Specialist, Tech Support and Sales Consultant, Bilingual Healthcare Insurance Agent, Bilingual Customer Service Representative, Roadside Assistance Agent, Event Ticketing, and Sales Associate.
Contact the Direct Selling Association (dsa.org) for information on any particular direct selling firm. Visit business.ftc.gov for Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, or state attorney general's office to see if there have been complaints about a company in the past.
These jobs are not only for retired lawyers, mind you. An expertise in certain fields of business can be your calling card. Experience settling workplace discrimination issues, marriage counseling, and even a mental health capability can land you a seat at the table to guide a delicate negotiation. In general, you work out of your home office, but you may have to go to another location for the official meeting. You've got to be “all ears.” Your task: Neutrally hear both sides of an argument, cut through the occasional emotional drama, and focus on the critical details. It's up to you to patiently direct and encourage both sides to keep talking in a civil fashion until a satisfactory resolution, or settlement, is landed.
You'll work with companies to help them to become more environmentally hip. On one hand, they may want to do good, so they're admired in their community, or perhaps you can help them save money by wise management of resources that's good for the bottom line and for the environment.
A sustainability consultant will offer solutions for greener work supplies, ways to apply temperature control, or lighting systems within factories and offices that save energy. You may even be able to help the company qualify for tax credit incentives.