Online Careers

Online Careers for Those Wanting to Work from Home

Are online careers impossible? Not at all. But it can take planning and education if you don’t already have the skills, certifications or degree needed to easily telecommute. Many times those that have web design, graphics and programming training can carve out an online career because all the work they do can be done online.

But what about those of us wanting to shift our jobs into online careers in order to be home with our kids and save on commuting costs? Though I have a 4-year degree in Radio-TV-Film, back in 2002 online careers weren’t filled with options. But now the opportunities have really expanded. If I were starting over I would aim for creating and hosting my own online web show or create my own online talk radio show. It’s so easy. Just need a webcam and some editing software or a podcasting service. Voila! There are two online careers right there!

But if you’re not the super outgoing type and you’re really looking for something stable that you can truly turn into an online career – then
lets start with the basics.

Your Education and/or Experience

1. Do you have a degree? Any type of degree, certifications or training?
2. If you don’t have a degree, do you have years of experience in the field you’re interested in?
3. Can you get referrals from previous employers or clients?
4. Do you have a portfolio of any type that can be shared with potential employers?

This give you a starting point and helps you find which direction you need to go in. If you have a lot of experience, referrals and samples of your work – than a degree may not be a total necessity. Showing the potential employer doing the hiring that not only do you have experience, but you can show them work you’ve done – say for example graphic arts or template design, then your work and experience can speak for itself.

Even having a degree though doesn’t mean you’re a shoe-in for the job. I haven’t been on air in radio since 2002 – 9 years. So I’m not exactly a catch for a station, I am rusty. BUT – a degree shows follow through and ambition. It also means you have a “well-rounded” education. With that degree and my experience in blogging and writing – I probably could very easily get a job writing or editing for a
company. I tell you this to give you examples so that you can better map your online career journey.

Getting training and education can go a long way even if it’s not in the precise field you’re attempting to work online in. Getting education in the career field you’re hoping for is no longer a challenge in many cases. There are scholarships for moms – heck, a $50,000 scholarship could be yours! Tuition aside, there are many online courses and classes. An accredited degree can be realistically obtained by going to an online university or college. The flexibility and ease of going to school “at home” can help you obtain the education you want while working around your current job.

1. Career Step – Offers a nice variety of online training courses and certifications. Transcription, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Billing and Coding and even Medical Administrative Assistant.

2. BenchPrep – Offers courses and classes to help you in your online careers preparation. They offer online and mobile courses for everything from getting your GED to the BAR exam. All geared toward helping you score better on tests that you’re pursuing.

There are many online colleges and universities to choose from. Finding the one that best fits your online career goals and needs is a step toward job success. It’s easy to search the top online schools, and it can be done totally free. No obligations.

Online Careers and the Application Process

So, what about actually applying for an online job? Many employers now offer online applications. If not an application, then online resume submission is very typical these days. Many job search sites offer free online resume submission. Simply input your resume one time and submit to the jobs you’re trying to get hired for. The sites below all have online resume submission.

1. Monster.com – One of the original job search sites on the internet. Many tools for jobseekers. Free resume posting.
2. Beyond.com – I’ve used this site to submit my own resume and set up searches where results can be emailed to me daily.
3. Job.com – Though I haven’t used much – still worthwhile. They have 1,000′s of jobs and free resume posting too.
4. Workopolis.com – Canadian job search site. Actually the #1 and biggest Canadian job search site. Free resume posting.

I also post jobs here at MoneyMakingMommy.com every day. Be sure to check out the Daily Dozen Online Jobs Round Up.

If you need help writing your resume and finding someone local isn’t an option – there are many online resume writing services. Be sure to note that you have the at home equipment and office space to perform the telecommuting position you are trying to get hired for. Having a home office and current equipment not only helps you perform the job, but lets them know you CAN perform the job and have already prepared for it. You’ll want to include a sincere cover letter that shows enthusiasm and genuine interest in the company and the position.

Online Careers for Moms and At-Home Job Seekers

Ultimately what brings together the online careers with the at home job seekers are persistence. Those that don’t seek, don’t get the jobs.
In order to work online, you have to throw your hat in the ring by hunting jobs online. But the internet has opened up this process so much in the last 5 years. I would venture to guess that almost half, if not more of those looking for online careers or jobs in general find them through the online job search process or an online recruiter.

If you currently work outside the home, never leave that position because you think the door of online careers “might” open for you. The old adage of not leaving one job without having another has never been truer in this economy and high unemployment statistics. A JOB is better than NO job. Maybe it’s my mid-western upbringing by an Irish mother – but I was always told to be GLAD you have a job and don’t ever take it for granted. Even if my venture into online careers had not ended so well – I would still be working somewhere. Guaranteed. I don’t turn my nose up at work if I need the paycheck. Slinging burgers, stocking shelves, janitorial work – if it puts food on the table and a roof over me and my family’s heads – I will not only show up, I’ll be there 15 minutes early.

What About Online Careers Right Now? I Need a Job

Of course, if you aren’t currently employed and need to work online now or find a way to make money now, there are options in that direction too. There are a few jobs I was hired for in the past that allowed me to earn a paycheck and I had little if no experience. I don’t feel I was lucky, I feel I was extremely persistent with my searching. I made sure my online careers search never went a day without looking and applying. It paid off. In very lean times for me and my family I was able to bring in at least $100 a week with photography, writing and chat moderating positions. Though my website MoneyMakingMommy.com is now my “job” and allows me stay home, I know I can fall back on my old search routines and persistent nature to get back into the employment search arena.

Below are jobs that hire people to work at home. Some can even be considered online careers, as they are full time employment and offer benefits etc. It will vary from job to job.  I urge you to search through them and apply for the ones that you qualify for. This is exactly how I did it when I was searching. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in the spotlight. Be confident and let that confidence carry you through the hiring process.

Online careers in this day and age have never been more practical or available. By staying positive and highlighting your skills and experience when you go after a job will go a long way toward setting yourself apart from other job applicants. The flexibility of online education and ultimately landing the career you’ve decided to pursue will allow you the best of both worlds. Online careers are not just for the highly educated and super certified. They are for regular people just like you and I.