Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business?  Being your own boss?  Working from home?  What's stopping you?  Every one of us has skills of some sort. The key is figuring out how those skills can transfer to a job you can do from home... and get paid for.  This article discusses how to match your current skills with home-based employment opportunities and start working today.

 

In a previous article, I discussed taking inventory of your personal skills (Starting Your Own Virtual Assistant Business - Part 1 available in the newsletter archives).  Now we are going to take that one step further and see how you can make those skills work for you in a home-based business.

 

There is only one trait required in order to be successful working a home-based business.  You must have the self-discipline to be absolutely, positively, 100-percent determined to succeed.  There will be no one looking over your shoulder or walking by to cut short your water cooler conversations.  You possess all of the power - the power to succeed or the power to fail. 

 

Here are some common skills and related home-based job opportunities. Skills are listed first, with potential job titles following.

 

Skills: Accounting, bookkeeping, record keeping, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, financial reporting, data entry, budgeting, knowledge of QuickBooks and/or Excel, attention to detail.

 

Possible Jobs: Accountant, accounting manager, bookkeeper, payroll clerk.

 

Skills: Blogging, social media.

 

Possible Jobs: Paid blogger, guest blogger, content creator, website contributor, freelance writer, social media.

 

Skills: Computer proficiency, programming, html, web development, hardware and/or software expertise.

 

Possible Jobs: Website developer, programmer, troubleshooting/help desk, online instructor.

 

Skills: Creative arts, PowerPoint and/or Adobe expertise.

 

Possible Jobs: Online media or advertising consultant, newsletter creator.

 

Skills: Expertise in a particular subject (business, graphic design, programming, gaming, etc.).

 

Possible Jobs: Freelance writer or consultant.

 

Skills: Fluency in a second language.

 

Possible Jobs: Translator, interpreter, customer service representative, help desk.

 

Skills: Grammar, spelling, punctuation, command of the English language, detail oriented.

 

Possible Jobs: Freelance writer, ghost writer, newsletter.

 

Skills: Organizational skills, space planning.

 

Possible Jobs: Design consultant, space planning expert.

 

Skills: Organizational skills, time management, verbal/written skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize, travel arrangements, computer and Internet, MS Word.

 

Possible Jobs: Virtual assistant, researcher.

 

Skills: Parent/consumer.

 

Possible Jobs: Product reviewer, blogger, writer.

 

Skills: Real estate experience or license.

 

Possible Jobs: Online listing agent.

 

Skills: Relationship building and people skills, cold calling.

 

Possible Jobs: Sales representative, lead generation, customer service representative, fundraiser.

 

Skills: Travel experience.

 

Possible Jobs: Travel agent, travel guide writer, travel website contributor.
 
Skills: Telephone, data entry and people skills.

 

Possible Jobs: Customer service representative, data entry clerk, appointment setter, lead generation, telephone interviewer.

 

Skills: Transcription skills (medical, legal, audio, general).

 

Possible Jobs: Transcriptionist (specialized or general).

 

Skills: Typing (fast and accurate), English, grammar and spelling.

 

Possible Jobs: Transcriptionist (medical or non-), typist, data entry, virtual assistant, virtual secretary, freelance writer.

 

Skills: Writing, attention to detail, creativity, knowledge of SEO and LSI.

 

Possible Jobs: Creative writer, content creator, newsletter writer, fiction writer, freelance writer, grant writer, proposal writer.

 

Skills: Writing, editing, proofreading.

 

Possible Jobs: Proofreader, fact checker, content editor.

 

This list is by no means all-inclusive, but it will give you an idea of how skills you currently possess can lead to work-from-home opportunities in a variety of disciplines.

 

Working from home requires the ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, prioritize, solve problems, and work in a solitary environment.

 

If you have a college degree, consider opportunities in your field that may be conducive to telecommuting.  As companies continue to downsize and/or maintain small in-house staffs, telecommuting is a viable solution for both employers and job seekers.

 

In the next newsletter, we will examine finding a market for the skills you have to offer.