Remote Jobs You Can Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Stop panicking, and start being proactive.
If there were ever a time to start “hustling” and “making moves,” it’s right now. While the government is doing what it can to assist the public, there’s not much that can be done about the ever-dropping unemployment rate. Epidemiologists are predicting that the situation is most certainly going to worsen before it gets better, and social distancing means that work availability will be incredibly nigh for those of us without formal education.
Sure, we can sit around and wait for the storm to pass, but the reality is that no one is coming to save you. Things may be fine right now, but those checks from Big Brother are going to get slimmer and slimmer as long as the need for financial and medical assistance continues.
It’s been a pretty shitty 2020, but there’s still hope. Instead of wasting this precious downtime surfing through Facebook and obsessing over coronavirus statistics, start applying for remote jobs that you can do from home.
If you’re working in the hospitality industry, rest assured that there may not be a job to go back to by the time we start seeing a decline in Covid-19 cases. The coming months may be difficult, but there is always something you can do to keep food on the table.
Call Centers
The great thing about call center work is that the environment at home is not much different than the one in your office. You likely already have a phone, a pair of earbuds with a built-in mic, and some type of laptop or PC. If hired for one of these remote positions, you’ll likely be required to download an app or customer service software.
Generally, the app will include…
- Time punches to keep track of your hours and pay
- A secondary phone number, so that you aren’t calling from your personal phone line
- Any administrative requirements that your call center has
The hours for this occupation are actually quite flexible, and you can select the shift that works best for you. Since school is basically canceled indefinitely, you have the ability to work around your kid’s educational and health requirements.
Pay can vary, but the average call center offers between $10 and $14 per hour. Full-time hours and benefits depend on your experience and the company you work for, but they are available, so do a little research on the places you’re applying for.
Administrative and Personal Assistant
These jobs are a little harder to come by, but if you can find a personal assistant opportunity, they can be quite rewarding. The duties generally involve tasks like scheduling, returning and sending out phone calls, placing orders, running errands, and so on.
Your rate really depends on what you demand, as well as what the client is willing to pay. You’re looking at an hourly wage of anywhere from $10 an hour to $17. The hours are usually very close to a typical 9 to 5, which means you’re likely to get the weekends off!
Trust me, working at home isn’t always as fun and simple as it seems, so you’ll appreciate that 48 hour period to yourself. Since you’re not necessarily working for a “company,” don’t expect too many of these jobs to offer any long-term benefits.
The main thing to focus on here is that it’s an option that’ll keep you on your feet during tough times. You can continue searching for something with more security in the meantime.
Data Entry
To be honest, this is one of the easiest, and one of my favorite ways to earn money from home. Data entry doesn’t require the same level of customer service that personal assistant and call center work does. More often than not, the tasks involve plugging numbers into a spreadsheet, transcribing audio, or creating email chains.
While this can be an entry-level opportunity, there are companies out there who will prefer, and hire more experienced candidates. So, no matter what job you had prior, highlight the skills you had and let the employer know how they apply to the position.
Data entry rates can range from $12 to $20 an hour, and schedules are often dependent on due dates. Essentially, as long as you get the work done and get it done right, you put in the hours on your own time. Keep in mind, the scheduling is unique to the place you’re working for, so ask if you aren’t sure what to expect.
If you’re bilingual, you have a unique advantage here. Clients seeking someone capable of audio transcription might also be looking for someone who can translate documents. Speaking more than one language is both a gift and a talent, so use it to your benefit!
E-Commerce Management
If you have a background in retail management, you can easily find remote work beyond companies like Amazon or other major online retailers. Startup E-commerce business owners need someone who can help them with the leg work. You’ll be expected to do regular price updates, order fulfillment, customer care responses, and general administrative work.
None of these tasks are terribly difficult, but in order to complete them, it’s necessary to have an eye for detail.
Expect to receive $12 to $20 per hour depending on how much task delegation is actually required. There are occasions where owners will choose to take care of certain things on their own and pass the rest off. So, keep in mind that hours may be minimal or inconsistent from time to time.
Where Can I Find These Jobs?
I get it, you’ve been on Craigslist and these magical unicorn jobs are basically nowhere to be found…but that’s because you’re looking for work on Craigslist, my dude. My suggestion would be to stay far, far away from that anti-opportunity of a site.
Instead, write up two or three different resumes based on the industry you’re applying for. I am a fairly multifaceted individual; for example, in addition to writing, I’ve been a baker, a waitress, a stock manager, and a kennel technician. I’m not going to use one single resume to apply for any of those jobs.
I’m going to have one tailored to each industry and the position that I’m applying for.
…don't make excuses here, okay? You’re stuck at home and you’re not making any money, otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this. Now is not the time to get lazy with your credentials, so sit down and take two hours to write them up, read them, and decide if you would want to hire you.
Then, take those resumes and put them on reliable, helpful hiring agencies such as…
- Indeed
- Snag-A-Job
- Upwork
Don’t forget, you have skills! There is something that you can do better than your peers. What can you offer to the world? You have a “side-hustle” because it’s something outside of your typical job experience, and you enjoy it.
Strive to make it your main hustle.
Don’t forget to file for your benefits and take advantage of food and water drives in your area. Keep your chin up and push onward, we’ve already overcome so much this year.
You can get through this.
