8 of the Most Popular Ways to Work From Home

This post is a general overview of several ways to work from home. However, these are not the only options, they are just some of the most common people do right now.

If you’re looking for other ideas outside of what is listed here, be sure to check the work at home job leads page.

I also send out free emails every week with remote jobs if you’re afraid you’ll forget to check the site. You can subscribe to that here.

I list eight new work at home leads on that page almost every day of the month!

8 Legit Ways to Work From Home

1 – Search Engine Evaluation / AI Training

Search engine evaluation and AI training are non-phone ways to work from home. The exact work varies, but you may be rating search results, reviewing content, comparing AI responses, or completing other tasks used to improve search engines and AI systems.

Pay varies quite a bit now depending on the company, project, location, and the level of expertise required. Traditional search-rating projects may pay in the mid-teens per hour, while some specialized AI training and rating projects pay more.

Hours can also fluctuate based on project availability.

You do not always need a college degree or prior experience for general search-rating work, but most companies require you to pass an assessment and follow detailed project guidelines.

More specialized AI projects may require subject-matter expertise or specific professional experience.

If you need a better understanding of the search-rating side of this work, this post explains search engine evaluation pretty thoroughly.

Want to go ahead and start applying? Here are a few popular companies and platforms that offer search evaluation and/or AI training work:

• TELUS Digital
• Appen / CrowdGen
• Outlier
• Welo Data (Welocalize)

2 – Phone Jobs

One of the most popular ways to work from home is phone-based customer support. These jobs commonly fall into customer service, technical support, reservations, sales, and related categories.

Phone work is not always as flexible as independent contractor work, and a quiet background is usually required.

Equipment requirements vary by employer, but reliable high-speed internet, an up-to-date computer, and a wired or USB headset are common.

Most employers route calls through computer software now, so a traditional landline is no longer a standard requirement for every job.

Some phone employers require a background check before you can start, so that is good to know going in. Most employee jobs explain any screening requirements during the hiring process.

Want to start applying? Here are some popular companies with phone support at-home jobs:

• U-Haul
• Aspira
• Liveops
• Alorica
• Check out 75 more work at home phone jobs!

3 – Freelance Writing

You can make money writing from home, and you do not necessarily have to start out as a professional writer.

Some freelance writing platforms are open to newer writers, while others want published clips, subject-matter expertise, or a strong portfolio. The opportunities and requirements vary a lot from site to site.

Freelance writing is a field you can grow in. Lower-paying assignments can help you build clips and experience that may eventually lead to better-paying work.

You will usually have the most control over your rates if you work for yourself and seek out your own clients. But content platforms and publishers can still be useful for gaining experience or earning supplemental income.

If you want to start applying for freelance writing work, here are some places to check:

• Textbroker
• GameRant
• Compose.ly
• ScreenRant
• Stellar Content
• See 60 more freelance writing companies.

4 – Transcription

Transcription involves listening to audio and typing what you hear, although some companies now use automated transcripts that workers review and correct.

It’s not as easy as it sounds — you need a good ear, strong grammar skills, and close attention to detail.

The work typically falls into three categories — medical transcription (details here), legal transcription, and general transcription (details here).

Medical and legal transcription often require training or prior experience because of the terminology involved.

General transcription can be more accessible to beginners, although requirements vary by company.

Some companies that offer transcription or closely related captioning work include:

• Research Transcriptions – currently seeks U.S.-based experienced transcriptionists.
• Daily Transcription – accepts applications and asks about prior transcription experience.
• 3Play Media – offers remote contract captioning/voice-writing work.
• Acorn Transcripts – legal transcription work with experience or certification requirements.
• Ditto Transcripts – primarily geared toward experienced U.S. transcriptionists.

5 – Virtual Assisting

Virtual assisting is one of the more versatile ways to work from home because the work can vary so much from one client to another. You can put your individual talents and skills to good use and focus on the types of tasks you do best.

The work may include data entry, writing, scheduling, making calls, answering messages, research, bookkeeping, or managing social media.

Some companies hire newer assistants, while others specifically want people with several years of administrative or executive-assistant experience.

A handful of the companies that hire for virtual assisting include:

• Fancy Hands
• BELAY
• Boldly – currently asks for at least seven years of cumulative relevant experience.
• Equivity
• Time etc – currently asks for at least five to eight years of relevant experience.

6 – Tutoring & Scoring

If you have a college degree, teaching background, or strong knowledge in a particular subject, online tutoring may be an option. Requirements vary widely by company, and some tutoring platforms accept people without a teaching license.

You may also be able to find work at home test scoring (described here). These jobs are often seasonal and may require a bachelor’s degree or teaching experience.

I made a list of many work at home educational opportunities here. I also have online tutoring jobs here listed if you’re looking specifically for that.

To get you started, some companies that offer remote scoring work include:

• ETS
• Pearson
• Measurement, Inc. – its Reader/Evaluator positions are remote and generally require a bachelor’s degree.
• Marco Learning

7 – Data Entry, Administrative & Operations Work

Data entry and administrative work are some of the most searched-for types of remote jobs. These positions can include entering or updating records, processing documents, scheduling, handling email, reviewing information, or supporting a team with day-to-day administrative tasks.

Remote operations jobs are another category to keep an occasional eye on. Titles vary a lot, but you may see jobs such as operations assistant, operations coordinator, scheduling coordinator, records specialist, or administrative coordinator.

The experience requirements are all over the map. Some companies want several years of office experience, while others hire for entry-level roles and provide training.

Data entry jobs are also commonly used in work-from-home scams, so always apply through the employer’s official website and be suspicious of anyone who sends you a check to buy equipment or asks you to move money for them.

I have some data entry openings listed here. Keep in mind these go quickly so if something you see isn’t open right now, keep tabs on the company hiring page in case it comes back.

8 – Extra Cash Ideas

For extra money, I recommend little side jobs like website usability testing gigs like these and short task sites.

You could also answer surveys for cash. Paid Viewpoint is my favorite panel (I’ve been a member since they started). It’s easy to do for a little extra money here and there.

For more extra cash ideas, definitely check out this list of 80 ways to earn extra cash.

As always, good luck if you try anything listed above!

Looking For Even More Legit Remote Jobs?

FlexJobs is one of my favorite sites to use for finding remote jobs and learning about new companies that hire remotely.

Most of what I see there when I check the listings pays well above minimum wage and comes from known companies.

The great thing about FlexJobs is that they guarantee ALL listings are scam-free. They list hundreds of jobs — all of which are either remote or flexible in nature — five days per week.

There are also no ads on the site!