My Data Entry and Computer Skills are Weak -
Can I Work From Home?
by Barb Niehaus
Every week I receive dozens of emails from my readers posing these very questions. Generally they're from moms that have dropped out of the workforce for varying lengths of time to raise their family. Their data entry skills are rusty and they use their computer mainly for email transmission. They are eager for a weekly paycheck again but fear there is nothing available to them without these skills.
I assure them that work-at-home opportunities abound! For those seeking non-clerical employment, here's a sampling of jobs that I run across daily in my search for telecommuting listings to post in my WAH newsletter.
1) Web Guides - the need for these are dramatically rising. Specialized sites require knowledgeable personnel to constantly update and maintain information for site visitors. Example: About.com will pay you to to write articles, respond to email inquiries and post links to your specialized topic.Be it small business to cooking to crafting, if you have a passion or consider yourself an expert on a subject, this may be right up your alley. Parenting and child sites are good avenues to explore for Guide positions.
2) Proofing and Editing positions - with the influx of online newsletters, the demand for this service will increase. If grammar, punctuation and writing are your strengths, this is certainly an area to investigate.
3) Translation - the ever-increasing mobile society has created a huge need for those of you who are bi-lingual. Put your language skills to work for you. Any search engine will provide you with a list of potential employers when you type in the keywords 'translation services'.
4) Crafty? Locate an online craft boutique. Some offer the craft consignor 80% of the selling price.
5) Tutoring -like to help others? Have a degree? Online tutoring is a win-win situation for both parties - those in need of assistance and those willing to share their knowledge and time.
6) Writing- feel strongly about a subject? Get paid for putting your words on paper. Generally the pay is low for amateur writers but with some exposure and experience, who knows?
7) Newsletters- offer your expertise in an area with online readers who share your interests.
8) Sales- yes, sales. No cold calling on the Web. Start an online boutique or mall. There are plenty of no-cost online malls that you can create. Free website and assistance is provided in many instances.
Granted, the majority of WAH jobs listed on the Internet are for those with polished data entry and computer skills but for those of us who skipped Typing 101 in high school, our options are many, also. With time and patience, your work-at- home job search will prove to be successful!
