~by Kara Masterson~
If you’ve decided that 2016 would be the year you break free from the stressful corporate lifestyle in exchange for working in a comfortable homey setting, then you’ve come to the right place.
Below, you will find the top five picks for home-based work opportunities in 2016. The picks are based on the gap between talent demand and supply, job stability, and pay rate.
1. IT Specialist
One of the first professions to latch onto the work from home mentality was IT specialists, which was likely brought about by the new generation’s preference for abstraction. Breaking free from 9 to 5 day jobs and using their deep-rooted proficiency in computers enabled young professionals to flourish in the relatively nascent telecommuting industry and can help set up things like review platforms such as ACN Reviews. As an IT specialist, your job is to bridge communications with your employer and third-party vendors and contractors of IT software. They are also involved in fixing IT infrastructure inefficiencies that cost the company time and money. An IT specialist with at least one year of experience can expect to earn around $52,000 annually.
2. Website Tester
Another work from home opportunity in 2016 is a website tester. As the role implies, a website tester simply tests websites. Many businesses pay site testers to ensure that the platform is simple, intuitive, and engaging before they release it to the general public. Even after they’ve released it, site testers are needed to gather data regarding website performance and overall user experience. Typically, the job pays $10 to $15 per test, but expect a lower rate if you’re new to this gig. What’s great about this line of work is that it doesn’t take too much of your time to complete tests. Expect to spend 20 to 30 minutes of your time to complete the process. In addition, overhead expenses are minimal since you only need a computer, webcam, and microphone to start.
3. Multi-Level Marketer (MLM)
MLM businesses have gained notoriety for being somewhat of a Ponzi scheme. However, MLM as a business is definitely a viable source of income, and one that can be rewarding should you choose to stick with it over the long haul. In a nutshell, multi-level marketing is a business strategy wherein you are compensated not only for your sales but also for the sales generated by the people you refer to the company. If you enjoy talking to people and come from a sales background, a MLM business is definitely the right fit for you.
4. Ghostwriter
If writing about a certain topic or a diverse set of topics interests you, ghostwriting is your type of job. As a ghostwriter, you write content for a client, then the client buys the intellectual rights of the content from you and publishes it under their name or pseudonym. What’s great about working as a ghostwriter is that you also get to learn about new stuff, like how to build a website from scratch or where to go when you’re in Greenland. The randomness of the topics you write about on a daily basis is both challenging and interesting at the same time.
5. Translator
If you are bilingual or even multilingual, a career in translation can be lucrative and fun at the same time. Translators, or interpreters as other job postings and listings label it, work freelance contracts from home. You can either work for a translation agency or directly for clients. The latter will be much easier if you have the work experience and the references to prove your integrity as a professional translator. What’s great about working as a translator is that you get to meet new people and, at the same time, brush up on your languages.
Work from home opportunities are a great supplemental source of income. Take note that your first few jobs will be odd jobs and that the pay rate won’t be as glamorous as promised by online job listings. With some time and patience, you can earn a decent income from the comfort of your humble abode.
Meet the Author: Kara Masterson
Kara Masterson
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
