Stay at home moms and dads who need some extra cash for their family's budgets often look into getting a job working at home. But with all the scams out there, they may have trouble finding which jobs are legitimate. Most people don't even know the types of at home positions there are. Here are some good choices for parents who need extra income but a flexible schedule.Virtual Call Center
One of the most popular job opportunities for work at home parents is the virtual call center. Working for a call center from your home office is similar to working for a real one, but the hours tend to be flexible and you may get paid by the minutes you are on the phone talking instead of getting a flat hourly rate.
There are many different kinds of companies that contract at-home workers. You can find a position taking orders for infomercials, getting pledges for charities, or providing customer service for a large national company.
The requirements to get a position in a virtual call center are pretty simple. You'll need a computer with high speed internet access, a second phone line, and a phone headset. You will need a quiet environment to do this job, so plan on working at naptime, after bedtime, and while your kids are in school. Some companies are looking for people with experience, but there are many that welcome anyone.
Freelance Writing
If English was your favorite subject in school, you may have a future as a freelance writer. There are many websites out there that need content and if you have decent writing skills, a little bit of knowledge, and the willingness to research new subjects you may get a job working for them.
The web allows you to publish content even if you aren't a professional writer. A lot of blogs want to hire writers who are knowledgeable about a subject but able to write in a conversational tone. While you should use proper grammar and spelling, you don't have to worry about formal writing like you would for a school paper.
If you are interested in becoming a freelance writer, look into writing for companies that sell content to website owners, freelance bidding sites where you can work directly with the site owner, or contact people directly to start writing for them.
Virtual Assistant
For any work at home parent that excels at organization, there is no better position than a virtual assistant. It is hard to say exactly what a virtual assistant does, because one can provide technical or administrative support to a business. As a VA, you may be answering customer emails, providing internet research, maintaining a website, or contacting clients.
Starting a career as a virtual assistant can be tough. Companies like oDesk list several jobs and can be a good way to gain experience. The best jobs often come when you become an expert in a niche and network with other virtual assistants and prospective companies.
Start a Website
The other jobs listed are ideal for parents who want a steady paycheck when working from home. Starting your own website or blog can be a great way to make money, but it isn't stable or guaranteed and should not be used if you need to pay the bills. If you are looking for extra money to get out of debt, put towards your retirement, or splurge on fun things like vacations, starting your own website is a good choice. Other than $10 a year for a domain name and $10 a month for hosting, there are no costs to getting started.
If you are starting a website, you can monetize it with advertising such as the Google AdSense program or an affiliate program such as Amazon Associates. To get started, pick a topic that you are interested in and begin writing. Talking with other website owners can help you learn.
Get Crafty
If you are creative, you can put your talents to work and get paid. Few people will be able to make a full-time living by selling handmade goods, but it is possible for a work at home parent to make some extra income doing this.
To get started, take a look around Etsy. This is a site that lets people sell handmade or vintage products. If you are able to supply in-demand products to a buying niche, you'll be able to have a successful store on Etsy. Of course, you don't have to be limited to selling on this specific platform, but it is a good place to start.
For a lot of parents, one income isn't enough to pay all of the bills. At the same time, daycare costs can be prohibitive. By working as an independent contractor for your own home office, you'll be able to help support your family while still being there if the kids need you.
Michael Chesterton enjoys sharing his experience of working from home with others on his blog, SelfEmployedEssentials.com. In addition to work at home advice, he also reviews products that can help the home office, such as the Fellowes MS-450CS shredder review.
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