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Working from home may seem ideal, especially if you're a mom or soon-to-be-mom. But figuring out how to find the right job to fit your needs can be a real challenge.
Plus, being able to separate home and work life, learning how to prioritize tasks, and figuring out how to focus on your job (while doing something like cradling a newborn) takes time.
Tips to help you with the job search process
Whether it's been 10 years or 10 months since your last job, there are a few things to consider before you jump in. Carefully consider the following questions.
How much time do you have?
Before you hit “send” on your resume, make sure you identify how much time you can devote to paid work.
Are you looking for a job that only requires you to produce a few hours per week or do you need something that allows you to work every day?
Do you have the emotional availability to devote to a job?
It’s also a good idea to assess your emotional availability. In other words, if you’re mentally drained by 9 AM from being up all night with a baby, you’re going to struggle to make money in certain positions.
That’s why it’s okay to start with a job that’s easier on your nerves (and your brain) until you get your work-from-home mojo in shape.
What skills do you have?
Another helpful tip is to look for jobs that you have prior skills or experience doing. There’s nothing worse than responding to job postings only to have the hiring manager reply with “Sorry, but you’re not even close to being qualified for this job.”
However, if you are interested in exploring a new career, make sure you build time into the job search process to take a course or attend trainings that will boost your skill-set and make you more employable.
Some jobs to consider
1. Freelance writer
If you enjoy writing, doing research, and meeting deadlines, freelancing or content writing might be right for you. You can write for a variety of outlets including trade publications, magazines, newspapers, or businesses.
Experience needed: Some jobs will require prior writing experience or a degree in English, marketing, or journalism. However, prior experience and/or a degree is not required to start off with entry-level positions.
How to find work: Craigslist, Indeed, FlexJobs, Facebook groups, online job postings for publications, and cold pitching businesses
Salary ranges: Rates range from .05 cents/word to $2.00 per word, depending on experience and area of expertise. The upper end ($1.00 + per word is for very experienced writers).
2. Transcription
If you have sharp listening skills and can type fast, general transcription is a legit job for stay-at-home moms. Transcribing requires you to listen to audio recordings and convert them into a text document.
Experience needed: None, but you can take courses in areas such as medical transcription.
How to find work: Craigslist, Indeed, FlexJobs, online job boards, Facebook groups, or cold pitch businesses. There is always a need for people to transcribe interviews and meetings.
Salary: $12 to $15 per hour to start.
3. Tutor
Tutoring college students and middle and high school students in areas such as math, writing, and science will keep you busy working from home.
Experience needed: Teaching degree preferred, but experience in the subject area is the only requirement.
How to find work: Online job postings, local schools and colleges, and word-of-mouth.
Salary ranges: Salary ranges from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on the difficulty of the topic. Tutors who are willing to work with two or more students on the same subject (at the same time) can make even more money.
4. Interpreter
Do you have a second language you’re fluent in? Why not put those skills to work as an interpreter. Duties include interpreting written documents, handling phone calls, and facilitating online meetings.
Experience needed: Written and verbal fluency in a language other than English.
How to find work: Craigslist, Indeed, FlexJobs, online job postings, and cold pitch businesses that deal with international relations.
Salary ranges: Depends on experience, but the average is around $20 to $25 per hour.
5. Online teacher
Teach specific content/subject areas for online K-12 schools or colleges.
Experience needed: Teaching certification and experience.
How to find work: HigherEdJobs, FlexJobs, K-12 online schools, and individual colleges.
Salary ranges: Depends on experience, public or private system, and the state you're working in, but can range from $1000 to $5000 per month (part-time work at the lower end).
6. Childcare provider
If you’re already at home with your own child, why not take care of a few more? Providing in-home child care allows you to stay home and earn money at the same time.
Experience needed: If you’re going to be a legit business, you will need a business license and meet state licensing laws.
How to find work: Online job postings on sites such as care.com, allow you to search for people looking for daycare.
Salary: Can be per hour or month, but typically ranges from $12 to $25 per hour.
7. Business or life coach
If you have a background in psychology, counseling, human resources, or business and enjoy working with people, you might like coaching. Coaches (which includes life, business, health, executive, etc.) help people move forward and set personal and professional goals. The work is typically done one-on-one over the phone, online, and in-person.
Experience needed: Background in psychology or business is helpful but not necessary. You will need to become certified in order to be considered legit.
How to find work: Online job boards, cold pitching businesses, and word-of-mouth. You need to be willing to market yourself to make money in this job.
Salary ranges: Hourly rates are based on experience and training, but can range anywhere from $75 to $350/hour. Executive or business coaches tend to make more than life coaches.
8. Direct sales
There’s a good chance you know a mom who has made plenty of money and created a successful business through direct sales. Selling products online or hosting in-home parties to sell clothing, cooking products, or books are all examples of direct sales.
Experience needed: None, but you better love selling yourself (and your product) and have a ton of enthusiasm.
How to find work: The quickest way is to go with a company that gets you started with the sales. Examples include health supplement companies like AdvoCare, cooking products like Pampered Chef, or clothing and accessory sales such as Thirty-One Gifts or Cabi.
Salary ranges: Direct sales are typically commission-only jobs. So the more you sell, the more you make.
9. Travel consultant
Who wouldn’t love a job helping people plan their vacations? Plan on booking airline tickets, making hotel reservations, car rentals, vacation excursions, etc., for individuals, families, or businesses.
Experience needed: None, but prior work in the hospitality field or customer service skills are a bonus.
How to find work: Online job postings, businesses that handle travel (AAA, Costco, Expedia, etc.), private travel agencies, or strike out on your own as a home-based business.
Salary ranges: Pay may be hourly or hourly plus commission.
10. Blogger
Being paid to write about products you use, brands you love, or even parenting topics, can pay decent money if you're willing to start a blog and have an active presence on social media.
Experience needed: None
How to find work: You can start a blog with a specific focus (cooking, fashion parenting, health, etc.) and then contact companies to partner with. Or you can write blog posts for an established site, which typically pays per post.
Salary ranges: There is a wide range and depends on social media following and paid advertisers. Some moms make enough each month to pay a few bills, while others have made a fortune.
Curious about what it takes to have financial freedom? Check out Is Financial Freedom Really Attainable for Millennials?