Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Sometimes, you just need a job.
Maybe you need extra cash. Maybe you’re making a career transition and need some time to sort things out but still have cash flow. Or maybe you’re reentering the workforce after some time away to be a caretaker.
Whatever the case may be, you need a way to make money that doesn’t require lots of experience or an expensive education. And if you’re coming back from a break, you might enjoy easing into the workforce with a work-from-home job.
Fortunately, there are quite a few entry-level jobs out there that you can do from home. These may not be dream jobs or long-term career options for you, but they will offer some financial stability.
If you’re looking for a job where you can work from home with little or no experience, we’ve done some of the legwork for you.
1. Virtual Assistant
These types of jobs have become much more common over the last decade. A virtual assistant is basically an administrative or executive assistant who works remotely.
Your job will involve scheduling meetings and travel arrangements, answering calls, taking meeting notes and other administrative tasks.
Communication and organizational skills will be incredibly important as a virtual assistant. Some companies, like BELAY, hire VAs exclusively for their clients. You can also find plenty of VA opportunities through sites like Time etc and Upwork.
Average pay: $24.80 per hour, according to Indeed.
2. Customer Service Representative
Why should a company pay for real estate to bring everyone into the same place where they take calls all day — when they can do that just as easily from home?
More companies are outsourcing their call center representative positions, or at least sending everyone remote, making a rewarding customer service position quite viable for someone who wants to work from home.
You’ll take calls and complaints via phone, email, and chat — so communication and typing skills are helpful. Here at The Penny Hoarder we routinely post customer service positions in our Work From Home portal.
Median pay: $17.75 per hour, according to BLS.
3. Sales Representative
If you have the persuasive skills and confidence to be a salesperson, then you’ll find plenty of remote opportunities. As a WFH sales rep, you’ll typically take or make calls trying to sell a product or service.
It’s similar to a customer service position, but you’ll need to actively convince a customer to buy. Although insurance and real estate sales roles typically require special licensing, retail sales are usually entry-level positions.
This type of online job is perfect in a remote environment because all you really need is a phone. You can text, call, email, or zoom from anywhere. Simply Hired and Indeed are great options to consider when looking for a virtual sales job.
Average pay: $47,306 base pay per year, according to Glassdoor.
4. Transcriptionist
If you’re efficient as a typist, consider a transcriptionist position. These workers essentially turn audio into text — transcribing things like TV shows, speeches, interviews and podcasts.
The jobs can easily be done from home, and many companies like Rev, Upwork, and Scribie hire transcriptionists all the time.
Average pay: $20 per hour, according to Indeed.
5. Tutor
As a tutor you’ll often need expertise in a certain area, and you’ll need at least a high school degree. But it’s also a job you can jump into fairly quickly as you help students of all ages build their education.
Tutors develop lesson plans and help students complete homework assignments and prepare for tests. Care.com is a great place to start looking for tutoring jobs in your area.
Median pay: $20.09 per hour, according to BLS.
6. Data Entry Clerk
Here’s another position perfect for someone with good typing skills. Data entry clerks input information into databases, documents, spreadsheets and other files, while also checking for accuracy. They may also transcribe audio and video files into text.
As a data entry clerk, you’ll need to have excellent attention to detail, stay organized and be efficient. Check out The Penny Hoarder’s Work From Home portal to see some of the most recently posted data entry jobs. Other good sites to check for data entry jobs are ZipRecruiter and FlexJobs.
Median pay: $17.13 per hour, according to BLS.
7. Mock Juror
Yes, being a mock juror is actually a job. Mock jurors meet live or online and help provide feedback to attorneys who are developing their cases.
Websites like eJury and Online Verdict allow you to sign up and fill out details about yourself. The companies will contact you when you’re the right fit for a certain mock trial. Many companies select anywhere from 25 to 50 jurors per trial.
Average pay: $5 to $10 per case, according to eJury.
8. Pet Sitter
If you love our furry little friends, why not take a go at being a pet sitter? Depending on the pet, you’ll get to do everything from taking them on walks, going to the dog park and relaxing on the couch while they sleep.
The pay isn’t amazing, but it’s a relatively easy job and a great way to make extra cash. Check out Rover and Wag! for many pet-sitting opportunities.
Average pay: Typically around $10 to $20 per walk, with more income coming from overnight stays, house sitting, and so on, according to Rover search results.
9. Phone Mystery Shopper
Large companies with customer service departments hire mystery shoppers to evaluate their own services.
They’ll give you an assignment to place a call, perhaps with a background story or problem, with some kind of goal in mind. When the call is finished, you’ll file a report about your experiences and customer satisfaction, which ultimately is the feedback they are looking for.
This is a very flexible job that allows you to take on assignments as you have the time. Sinclair Customer Metrics and Market Force are great tools to find mystery shopping positions.
Average pay: $21 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
10. Brand Ambassador
If you’re online savvy and active on social media, you could become a brand ambassador for your favorite brand.
With this job, you’ll chat online with visitors to the company’s website, offer advice and recommendations, promote customer satisfaction, write product reviews and answer questions about products.
Sites frequently update brands with available ambassador positions. You can also check on your favorite brand’s website directly for opportunities to become an ambassador. Some brands may offer merchandise as a form of payment, or a combination of merchandise and cash.
Average pay: $20.14 per hour, according to Indeed.
11. Search Engine Evaluator
Search engine evaluators examine internet search results to determine the accuracy of web search results, how useful the results pages are, and the relevance of the search results to the topic requested. They then provide that feedback to the search engine company.
To get the job, you’ll likely be asked to take an online test to determine how familiar you are with search engines.
Average pay: $47,829 annually, according to Glassdoor.
