Top Online Jobs: How to Work Part-Time from Home
With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), there are a lot of people who are finding themselves spending more time at home. In fact, many businesses are hiring and managing their employees remotely to cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Several studies are actually predicting that by 2025, remote work will be neck and neck with traditional office locations. Since remote work is becoming the norm, now is a great time to join the telecommuting workforce, especially if you’re someone who relies on gig economy jobs like Uber and Instacart and has taken an income hit recently. We’ve gathered up the top online part-time jobs that might help you make up some of that lost income.
Stride Tip → Check out our freelancer’s guide to working from home. It has some great tips on how to stay focused and positive while you adjust to part-time work at home.
Spare5 - $12+ per hour
What: Spare5 is a simple way to earn money in your spare time. The app connects you with small web tasks—like listening to audio files, describing images, or providing keywords— tasks that you can do on your iPhone or computer. Each of these tasks only take a few seconds to complete, and the data you provide is used to help companies develop programs and algorithms. You’re paid weekly for your tasks via PayPal. Registration is 100% free.
Perks:
Flexible scheduling
Simple tasks
Refer friends for cash
Get started: Sign up for Spare5 here.
Fancy Hands - $3 to $7+ per task
What: FancyHands is an online assistant service. People can submit 20-minute requests via the platform (things like scheduling a haircut or canceling a cable subscription), and an assistant will complete it within 24 hours. With good internet connection and basic tech skills, you can apply to be an assistant. Payment amounts depend on the request’s complexity and are sent every other week via Dwolla.
Perks:
Work any time, day or night
Opportunities for managerial positions
Work from home
Get started: Submit your application here. Keep in mind that Fancy Hands is not always hiring.
Online Freelance Jobs
What: Freelancer is an online marketplace for freelance, web developer, and design jobs. Millions of businesses use the site to post job listings. You bid on these jobs and, if hired, share a percentage of your earnings with Freelancer. Freelancer is a crowded platform, so it may be difficult to find high-earning gigs, but you can secure smaller jobs that help you build your portfolio, find clients, and enter the world of freelancing.
Perks:
Find new and repeat clientele
Set bid values
Time-tracking app
Get started: Sign up to find freelance jobs here.
What: Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services. If you have a unique skill, like voiceovers, sound editing, or translation, Fiverr is the place to market it. You set your pricing and offer three versions of your service at three different prices. Fiverr is free to use, but they take 20 percent of each transaction.
Perks:
Earn exclusive benefits as your business grows
Flexibility – work as much (or as little) as you want
Opportunity to market unique trades
Get started: Start selling on Fiverr here.
What: Hubstaff Talent is a 100% free database that businesses can use to find freelancers. Unlike other job search sites, Hubstaff does not charge markups or fees, so you take home exactly what the client pays you.
Perks:
No fees or cuts
Access to Hubstaff time tracking tool
More refined network than other freelance sites
Get started: Build your profile and find jobs here.
What: Etsy is an online creative marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft goods. Etsy charges its Sellers a $0.20 listing fee, as well as transaction fees per purchase. If you have vintage or handmade goods to sell, Etsy can help you launch your business by allowing Sellers to purchase a custom website that leads to their Etsy shop, earn credits for better listings, get discounts on shopping costs, and set up automated marketing communications with customers.
Perks:
Access to millions of shoppers
Business management tools
Discounted postage and shipping materials
Get started: Learn how to set up your shop here.
What: Upwork is a freelancer site that people can use to post project requests and hire freelancers in a variety of fields like design, sales, and software development. You can work on recurring projects, full-time contract work, or short-term tasks. Upwork charges freelancers fees based on how often you’ve worked with a particular client, so the more often you and a client work together, the more earnings you’ll keep.
Perks:
Wide variety of work
Higher visibility for top-rated freelancers
Opportunities to find repeat customers
Get started: Learn more and apply as a freelancer here.
What: PeoplePerHour is another job marketplace where freelancers can partner with small businesses who need help with tasks in print design, photo retouching, consulting, and more. PeoplePerHour effectively helps you find, communicate with, and receive feedback from clients. When you create your portfolio, you’ll also create “houries,” which are jobs you offer at a fixed price. It’s free to create an account, but you’ll pay a service fee whenever you’re paid by a client.
Perks:
Ranking and feedback system helps promote new talent
Embedded media for dynamic portfolios
Free to register and promote services
Get started: Register here.
Toptal - $60 to $180+ per hour (average)
What: Toptal is a network of experienced software, design, and finance freelancers. The marketplace touts itself as an elite, exclusive network. Toptal famously only accepts the top 3 percent of applicants, and it lets clients have two-week trial periods to find the best fit for their project. If you are accepted into the network, you can set your own rates.
Perks:
Exclusive access to elite clientele
Complex and interesting projects
Networking events
Get started: Toptal has a strict screening process that reviews your personality, portfolio, and know-how. Apply to join the network here.
What: Behance is an Adobe site that lets artists and designers showcase their creative work. It also has a job list that freelancers can search for new project opportunities. Behance profiles make it easier to display your portfolio and communicate with clients. If your work is featured on any of Behance’s galleries, your work will be viewed by thousands (even millions!) of other artists and potential clients.
Perks:
Free to use
Featured galleries offer serious visibility
Page statistics help you better promote your work
Get started: Sign up for an account here.
What: TopCoder is an online network of designers, developers, and data scientists. Unlike other freelancing sites, TopCoder runs crowdsourcing contests. This means that multiple people compete for projects by submitting relevant codes or designs where the client chooses the winning submissions, and those freelancers are paid for their work. If you join the TopCoder network, you will only receive payments for work that wins challenges.
Perks:
Community is free to join
Earn awards for winning challenges
Tech recruitment opportunities
Get started: Join the community and start competing here.
Online Jobs for Writers
What: Textbroker is a digital content platform. Clients use the service to hire authors who can help them write blog content, web copy, and more. Writing for Textbroker is 100 percent free. The site recruits clients, and you choose which projects you want to do. As soon as the client accepts your work, you’ll be paid. You’ll also earn different amounts depending on the project type and your quality rating. If clients directly request work from you, you can set your own price.
Perks:
Access to thousands of projects
Opportunities to find repeat clients
Good ratings attract premium assignments
Get started: Sign up to be a Textbroker author here.
What: Scripted is a freelance copywriting marketplace. Writers use the platform to pitch assignments to customers, claim writing topics, and get paid for their work. The amount you earn varies by the type (and length) of content, and Scripted will pay you within five days after the client accepts your work. You are also paid for edits and rejected assignments.
Perks:
Build repeat clientele and get first dibs on their project requests
Real-time messaging and client calls via the site
Find new writing opportunities in a variety of subjects
Get started: To be a Scripted writer, you’ll need to submit unpublished samples that reflect your ability to write for your preferred industries. You can only apply to each speciality once.
Online Jobs for Teachers and Tutors
What: Udemy is an online learning and teaching marketplace. As an instructor, you can share your expertise in a certain field by creating an online video course; you’ll earn money every time someone purchases it. You get to design the course however you like, and Udemy provides tools for messaging, Q&As, course announcements, and quizzes. There is no fee to host on Udemy, but the service does take a cut of your course fee (the revenue share depends on how students find your course).
Perks:
Access to 30 million students worldwide
Free courses and support for your business
Peer-to-peer community group
Get started: Become an instructor here.
What: LinkedIn Learning (previously known as Lynda.com) offers thousands of online courses, classes, and tutorials. The resource’s online teachers, called LinkedIn Learning Instructors, must pass a strict screening process. You’ll need teaching or training experience and a great on-screen personality to be selected. If you are accepted, you’ll record your course at Lynda.com’s studios. As a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, you’ll receive monthly royalties on your course depending on the topic, skill level, and quality of instruction. You’ll have access to a variety of tools, like custom playlists, to develop your course.
Perks:
Get support developing your content
Potentially reach millions of students
Collaborate with producers, directors, and editors
Get started: Begin the application process here.
What: TakeLessons is an online marketplace where people can find local and online teachers in a variety of subjects, from algebra to improv acting. The site handles booking and payments on your behalf, and you don’t have to buy or bid for leads. With options to teach online, TakeLessons gives you flexibility in your scheduling, workload, and teaching methods. You’ll keep 90 percent of your lesson price, paid weekly via direct deposit.
Perks:
Opportunities for cash bonuses
Flexible locations: on-site, at home, or online
Reach international student base
Get started: To become a teaching partner, you’ll fill out a short application and complete a background check. Start the process here.
What: Skillshare (a.k.a. The “Netflix of online learning”) helps people learn new, creative skills via bite-sized lessons. Share your passion by developing a course and publishing it on the Skillshare platform. The site has class upload tools, marketing guidance, and more so you can reach an optimal market of students. Teachers are compensated for the number of minutes watched in their classes every month.
Perks:
Access to 7 million students
Open to all skill types
Premium referral bonuses
Get started: Publish your first course here.
Chegg - Starting at $20 per hour
What: Chegg is a 24/7 online tutoring service. This means that you can log in and work whenever (and wherever!) is most convenient for you. Chegg sends students to you, then handles rates and billing, and tutors are paid weekly. As you build your tutor reputation, you get access to more opportunities. You can also secure repeat, regular students for more consistent income.
Perks:
Bonuses for tutoring high-demand subjects
Choose subjects and student levels
Schedule and location flexibility
Get started: Sign up to tutor here.
Tutor.com - $14 per hour (average)
What: Tutor.com is another 24/7 online tutoring service for students of all ages. You can log in and work when available, and receive payments on a regular schedule. Tutor.com hires professionals (e.g. teachers, professors, and PhD students) in a variety of subjects. Pay rates depend on subject difficulty and tutoring hours. Tutor.com does cap tutoring hours and sets expectations for maintaining high ratings.
Perks:
Schedule and location flexibility
No invoicing
Paid for time spent online waiting for jobs
Get started: To be a Tutor.com member, you’ll need to pass a subject exam, background check, and mock tutoring session. Start the process here.
Skooli - $25 per hour
What: Skooli is an online tutoring service that lets you log in whenever you’re available and accept instant tutoring sessions. Skooli looks for tutors with at least a bachelor’s degree, government issued teaching license, and/or specialized instructor qualifications. Tutors are paid $25 hourly, and are compensated for the time they spend waiting online for requests.
Perks:
Fixed rates, including for wait times
Tech features, including video conferencing and interactive whiteboard
Verified tutors get increased visibility
Get started: Start the application process here.
We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a lot of stress. Hopefully one of these online jobs can help you earn some extra income during these uncertain times. If you’re having trouble affording the basics, you can sign up for some government aid while you get back on your feet. Take a look at these programs here.
