What are the Different Types of Jobs for Working From Home?

By Tracie Chancellor

If spending hours in a daily commute has you feeling like there must be more to life, it may be time to explore the different types of jobs which allow you to work from home. In years past, work from home opportunities were few and far between, but with the technology boom in recent years, working from home opportunities abound in today’s economy.

What are the different types of jobs for working at home?

Whether working in an office or in the comfort of your own home, choosing a job that meets your specific needs and showcases your unique skill set is essential. With so many work from home opportunities available, it is crucial to know the different types of jobs for working from home and which type will best suit your specific situation.

Some of the most common work from home jobs include:

• Inside Sales or Virtual Lead Generation Specialist: An individual who excels at sales and marketing, may receive inbound calls or make outbound calls or a combination of inbound and outbound. The person may follow up on inbound leads to close sales or make cold calls to support others.
• Sales Representative: Someone with a background in business who is working with a predetermined audience to close a sale. The sales representative may generate their own leads or be supported by others who keep their calendar and set appointments.
• Tele-prospector or Telemarketer: Technically, anyone who uses the telephone in the sales process, however generally, refers to cold calling. Telemarketing positions could be either business to consumer or business to business.
• Virtual Assistant: An individual who offers administrative support in a wide variety of tasks such as appointment setting.
• Transcriptionist: A highly skilled typist that can quickly convert audio to a written format.
• Graphic Designer: A visual communicator who creates professional art design for multiple mediums.
• Web Designer: An individual that is typically skilled at web-based tasks such as web page layout and design.
• Data Entry Specialist: Someone with an eye for detail that is skilled at typing and entering large quantities of numbers or other types of data.

How To Apply For a Work From Home Job

While working from home has some advantages over an office atmosphere, the job application process is typically the same. As it is with a traditional in-person interview, it is best to treat the resume and interview process of a virtual interview with the same levels of quality and professionalism that have long been expected and honored in the workplace.

Three key steps for job application success often include:

• Fine tuning your resume. This requires ensuring that the document is up to date and grammatically correct.
• Review interviewing tips. Consult a trusted source about job interview preparation. Learning what questions to expect in an interview and practicing answering them can aid in the level of confidence an individual projects during an official interview.
• Know how to prep for virtual interviews. Depending on the specific work from home job opportunity, many employers may opt to conduct a virtual interview. In this case, potential employees should still be prepared to dress in professional business attire like they would for an in-person interview—not too formal and not too informal—and be strategic in creating a businesslike atmosphere in a corner of their home for this virtual meeting.

The Top 5 Advantages of Working From Home

Working from home can require both motivation and concentration, but the rewards of working from home can be well worth the effort. The top five advantages of working from home generally include:

1. No commute. Once you’ve secured a job that allows you to work from home, the only commute in your future is likely to be the trek from your bedroom to your desk.
2. Informal office attire. If your new position does not require virtual interactions with management or clients, office attire can typically be substituted for more casual clothes.
3. Saving money. With no commute, telecommuters should save money by eliminating the work-related need to buy bus passes or gasoline for their vehicle. A reduction of the need for professional office attire, mentioned above, can also save a decent amount of cash.
4. Customized work environment. Depending on the specific requirements of your new job, it may be possible to take your office on the road, which would allow the flexibility of working in a coffee shop, while traveling, or even outside.
5. Increased freedom. Whether it is the freedom from co-workers poking their heads in your office while you’re trying to work or just to take a bathroom break when you want to, working from home provides a much desired increase in independence and privacy.

Establishing a Career as a Work From Home Lead Generation Specialist

One of the titles that sounds most attractive to job seekers looking for work from home opportunities is that of a Lead Generation Specialist. This type of position nicely blends together the best of the worlds of business, marketing and sales . .. all within your own home.

Prerequisites for becoming a Lead Generation Specialist typically include a solid background in business and basic computer skills, with a year or more of experience preferred.  Some experience in sales, or some knowledge of the sales process, is also a big plus.

Work hours are generally between eight in the morning and five in the evening during weekdays.  During that time, telecommuters usually have flexibility in which hours they work with a required weekly minimum of twenty or so hours a week.

The pay scale for this position is often near the highest in the industry, but can go even higher depending on a number of variables that are directly under the control of the individual working from home. These include, but are not limited to, the amount of hours put in on the job, the success with which the work is completed, and the availability of special incentives.  Lead Generation Specialists are typically paid twice a month.

Home office requirements typically require a computer outfitted with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe PDF Reader, email, and Skype or Zoom. In addition, telecommuters will need access to high speed internet, a USB headset with a microphone, and a printer.

For most job seekers looking at the different types of jobs for working from home, their primary question ends up being, “When would you like me to start?”

FAQs:

Q:  What are some of the most common work from home job opportunities?

A:  Some of the most popular jobs for working at home are Virtual Lead Generation Specialist, Sales Representative, Telemarketer, Virtual Assistant, Transcriptionist, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, and Data Entry Specialist.

Q:  What do I need to do to apply for a work from home position?

A:  To prepare for the hiring process, job seekers should fine tune their resumes, brush up on interview tips, and practice for virtual interviews.

Q:  What are the benefits of working at home?

A:  Some of the advantages to working from home are no commute, casual office attire, saving money, working in a customized environment, and increased workplace freedom.

Q:  What is a Lead Generation Specialist?

A:  A Lead Generation Specialist is a person who performs basic business skills in sales and marketing in a virtual environment.  This can involve selling over the phone or setting appointments for others to make the sale.