Help me find a job where I can work from home.

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I’ve posted before about my aim to get back to work after a break to have children and us being in various places and postings (DH in the forces)

I now have my NI number posted through, brushed up on a bit of CV/application form practise and am looking to start applying.

Not to repeat too much or what was in my PP, we are rural and I don’t drive and I also have become quite agoraphobic (a subject for another post and one that I’m dealing with) so really looking for a role where I can work from home and we are at a point financially where it could literally be anything as long as I bring a bit extra money in at the end of the month.

I was in a fairly hands on job pre DC so no office based skills or qualifications apart from an excellent telephone manner. I am absolutely awful at number but very good at English and though can’t touch type, I would say I’m quite quick! I’m also quite savvy with all social media platforms.

What could I do and where should I start looking for jobs that would fit, I definitely don’t have any high expectations or want anything fast paced, just to be able to help out financially every month.

If anyone works from home and has managed to do with with minimum training/qualifications in the field, what do you do?

Virtual assistant? Social media manager, copywriting? Sounds like it might fit your skills

Have a look at sites like Fiverr and People Per Hour. You may find something that works for you or it may get you a better idea of what you would want/be able to do.

Realistically, will you be able to sell yourself?

If you can, options like being a virtual assistant might work, or copywriting, or social media. But competition is HIGH; so you'll need to be able to constantly sell yourself and promote your services.

If that isn't something you'd be able to/comfortable doing, you might be better looking for a role where you are an employee, rather than running a business - which means that type of role is likely going to want experience. Most of the junior roles in those positions will be in-person, at least for the first year or so, so that you can learn from more experienced people and develop.

Things like Lionbridge might work, where you're allocated tasks? Or there are some freelance writing platforms where you claim jobs, and then write the articles within the allocated time period - but they tend to be pretty low paid, and work isn't guaranteed.

Is there any way you could do a few days a week in an office/shop/etc? That would open up roles, and also might help with the agoraphobia, and with making friends etc?

It's a weird time for working from home. More companies are considering it than ever before; but more people want it than ever before - and it provides opportunities to slim down the workforce, and to offshore, and both of those are especially challenging for people who are "new" to the market and don't have a lot of skills. Combined with the need for people to return to offices, and we're in a bit of an odd time where things are going in both directions - and the Government is expected to be launching some campaigns encouraging people back to commuting and working in-person. Generally, I think we'll hit a middle ground for a bit - with people tending to do a couple of days at home - so if that's an option for you, you'll likely have a lot more opportunities.

Do a search for a company called Sensee. They are completely work from home and had been even before Covid.

@Alliswells thanks I’ve just set up an account with them and part way through the application.

Indeed has loads of remote jobs. Many companies are going fully remote now, so basically most jobs that aren’t face to face will have some sort of vacancies. Just search for job title and remote to find them.

How about customer service? If you’re good on the phone and social media it may be a good choice. You may want to get your typing speed up a little though.

I returned to work a few months ago after 15 years as a SAHM. Job is Admin and only 24 hours, fully WFH and will remain so as there is no need to be in an office now. Job was not advertised as WFH so that was a pleasant surprise.

Job brings in just over £1k a month with no outlay for travel or childcare as mine are at school age and I can pick youngest up. They are also very flexible on hours as long as work is completed.

Mine is in the NHS sector (but not NHS) and I didn’t have any experience in it before. There seems to quite a few similar jobs in my area on Indeed. Maybe look in that sector?

References may be an issue (it was for me!) as they are quite hot on having 3 years recent work history these days (not only this job but others I’d applied for too) but I was able to by pass it by providing several character refs and obviously explaining why I’d been out of the workforce. I had to mention discrimination of women who’d been out of the workplace raising children as well but my manager supported me in that.

Good luck!

@CrabbyAggy thank you, that’s really helpful. 😊

Bumping up for any other suggestions. 😊

excellent telephone manner

contact tracing for NHS, customer service for councils, First Direct, Aviva or other companies that have UK based staff. Native British voices and Dogs & children are normal in the background whenever I phone up about my car insurance.

www.charityjob.co.uk/administration-jobs?workplace=remote&radius=20

remote admin jobs here

Charities tend to offer flexible working. Hybrid jobs probably more common than fully remote but still worth trying.