Working from Home Jobs: A Comprehensive Career Guide

13th Jun 2022

Summary

If you’re looking for more freedom and greater flexibility in your work hours, have you ever considered working from home? This article will provide everything you need to find popular work from home jobs, write a winning CV and develop your career. Read more.

Introduction

Working from home is a dream for many. The freedom and flexibility, the benefits and convenience are just a few reasons why it’s such an attractive prospect, not to mention the cost savings on commuting and childcare. That said, as great as it may sound, finding a good work from home job can be difficult – if you don’t know where to look or what to look for.

The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated what would have been a gradual move to more hybrid and remote working arrangements. Businesses are realising the advantages of offering remote positions and they have experienced how successful it can be. This significant change has opened up more remote working opportunities than ever before. There are hundreds, if not thousands of work from home job vacancies available.

Work from home jobs are those that you can do remotely from your own home. They may be on a freelance, contract or employed basis and the working arrangements will be organised between you and your employer upon appointment. Some of these jobs may require you to commute to the office weekly, monthly or quarterly or attend client meetings, but the bulk of your work is undertaken from home.

Main Section

Many remote jobs are in the digital marketing and online business space as companies are realising the importance of building an online presence. Some of the most in demand work from home jobs include:

Social Media Manager: A social media manager helps businesses grow and engage their audience through social media.

Virtual Assistant: A virtual assistant provides administrative support to businesses and individuals from a remote location.

Writer: Writers can work from home to create content for businesses, blogs, and other publications.

Graphic Designer or Website Designer: Graphic designers create visual content for businesses, including logos, infographics, and website design. Website designers create and design websites for businesses.

Digital Marketer: A digital marketer helps businesses promote their products and services online.

Social Media Manager

With billions of social media users, social platforms present unique opportunities for business growth. As more companies look to establish and grow their online presence, platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok are being used to increase brand awareness, provide customer service and promote products and services. While it is an effective marketing channel, social media marketing is time consuming. Business owners therefore want to outsource their social media management to either experienced freelancers or agencies. A social media manager will have several duties and responsibilities including:

· Creating social media content such as posts, images, and videos

Engaging with followers and potential customers
Monitoring comments and messages
Analysing social media analytics to identify trends
Undertaking a SWOT analysis to maximise performance

If you work for an agency on a remote basis, you will likely work on multiple accounts and with specific benchmarks and targets for your clients. Freelancers have much more freedom and flexibility in terms of who they work with and how they work than those who work for one company.

Entry social media roles include social media assistant, social media coordinator and social media executive.

Intermediate social media job opportunities are those such as social media specialist, social media lead and social media manager.

Advanced senior-level positions in social media include social media director and head of social media.

Recruiters/Employers

Finding work in social media marketing is typically through agencies, recruiters and businesses directly. In terms of recruiters, your search should focus on those in the digital marketing sector or those who are in the social media marketing space.

Social media agencies, particularly the larger ones may have hundreds if not thousands of clients and will need a regular intake of social media specialists.

Alternatively, if you prefer to go down the freelance route and work for multiple clients, you could reach out to business owners directly.

Requirements

To be a successful employee or freelancer in social media you should possess the following attributes:

An interest in and understanding of online marketing and social media platforms

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

· Creativity and an eye for detail

· Strategic thinking

· Good time management and organisational skills

· A complete social media portfolio that showcases your work

· A strong personal brand on at least two social platforms

Typical Interview Questions

When applying for jobs in social media, you should be prepared to answer questions such as:

· What are your favourite social media platforms and why?

· How would you go about increasing engagement on a Facebook page?

· What strategies have you used in the past to increase brand awareness?

· What do you think is the most important metric to measure when it comes to social media marketing?

· What do you think sets your work apart from others in the industry?

If you were to start working on a new social media campaign tomorrow, what would be the first steps you would take?

What to Highlight in Your CV

For any type of social media marketing job, the most important elements to highlight in your CV include any results that you have achieved such as increasing follower growth, boosting conversions, driving more traffic to a website or delivering organic strategies with associated results. Many people can say they work in social media, but you can showcase your skills by demonstrating a result and a timeframe.

Developing Your Career in Social Media Marketing

If you want to develop your career in social media marketing, consider the following:

· Build your personal brand on social media. This will make you more attractive to potential employers and clients. Talk about your experiences, your journey and your results.

· Engage with others in the industry. Connect with other social media professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter, attend meetups and webinars, and read articles and blog posts.

· Stay up to date with the latest trends. Social media is constantly evolving, so make sure you are always up to date with the latest changes and developments.

· Gain additional qualifications. There are many social media marketing courses available online that can help you develop your skills and knowledge.

· Create a portfolio. A strong portfolio will showcase your skills and experience and make you more attractive to potential employers and clients.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants provide business support in lots of ways. They could offer finance and bookkeeping support, traditional administrative assistance such as meeting and diary management or help with digital marketing, content creation, systems and processes or tech which involves setting up and maintaining the businesses technology such as email lists, CRM systems, course platforms and more. The role of a virtual assistant will be varied depending on the tasks that you undertake and the clients you work for.

Recruiters/Employers

If being a virtual assistant sounds like it would be a good fit for you, there are several recruiters/employers that you could approach. These include:

· PA Recruitment

· Office Angels

· Baxter Personnel

· Tate

· Reed

There is also the opportunity to work with businesses directly on a freelance basis, but usually you will need some experience to venture into the freelance world.

Virtual Assistant Requirements

To be a successful virtual assistant you should possess the following attributes:

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

· Excellent organisation and time management

· The skills required for a virtual assistant will depend on the type of tasks you undertake but some common skills include:

· The ability to work independently

· An aptitude for research

· Social media marketing

· Bookkeeping and finance

· Website development or design

· Customer service

· Project management

The qualities required for the virtual assistant role will very much depend on the type of support you provide. If you are a Tech VA for example, it wouldn’t be necessary to have skills in finance or bookkeeping.

VA Interview Questions

· What do you think the role of a virtual assistant entails?

· What qualities do you think are important for a successful virtual assistant?

· What do you think are the key skills required for a virtual assistant?

· Can you give me an example of a task that you think would be suitable for a virtual assistant?

· Do you have any experience working as a virtual assistant? If so, please tell me about it.

· What do you think are the main challenges faced by a virtual assistant?

· How do you think you could overcome these challenges?

Developing a Career as a Virtual Assistant

If you want to develop your career as a virtual assistant, consider the following:

Networking – Get involved with relevant online communities and attend events where you can meet other virtual assistants and learn from their experiences.

Skills development – Constantly improve your skills by taking courses and attending webinars. There are many free resources available online that can help you to develop your skills.

Specialisation – Consider specialising in a particular area such as social media marketing or bookkeeping. This will make you more attractive to potential clients and employers.

Professional membership – Join a professional organisation such as the International Association of Virtual Assistants (IAVA) or the Association of Professional Virtual Assistants (APVA). This will give you access to resources and networking opportunities.

Writer

The demand for writers in recent years has grown exponentially. However, it is becoming an increasingly competitive marketplace. There are many types of writers in the online space, but the most common include copywriting, content writing and UX writing. Depending on your area of specialism, you will focus on writing articles and informational content (content writer), sales pages (copywriter) or content for apps (UX writer).

Types of Writing Positions

Copywriter – A copywriter is responsible for creating compelling and persuasive marketing materials such as website content, brochures, email campaigns and sales pages.

Content writer – A content writer creates engaging and informative content for websites, blogs, articles, ebooks, slide decks and educational pieces.

UX writer – A UX writer creates user-friendly and easy-to-use content for websites and apps.

Entry, Middle and Senior Writing Roles

As an entry level writer, you will be responsible for creating basic content such as blog posts, social media posts and short articles.

As a middle level writer, you will be expected to produce more complex content such as long-form articles, ebooks and white papers.

As a senior level writer, you will be required to create high-level content such as thought leadership pieces, case studies and research reports.

Skills Required for a Writing Position

In order to be successful in a writing role, you should possess the following skills:

Excellent written communication skills in English

· The ability to produce clear and concise content

· Good research skills to understand the market, the audience and the client

· Creativity and imagination

· The ability to work to deadlines

· Flexibility and adaptability

Interview Questions for a Writing Role

· What do you think the role of a writer entails?

· What qualities do you think are important for a successful writer?

· Tell me about your writing experience.

· What is your experience in content management systems?

· What are some of the ways in which you could optimise content for SEO?

What to Highlight in CV

Potential employers want to know the types of content you have written and the clients you have worked for. If you are a copywriter who specialises in conversion copy, the recruiter may want to see the conversion rate you achieved for clients. Alternatively, if you are an SEO writer, the employer may want to see examples of content you have worked on and where they appear in the search engines. Tailor your CV to the job and highlight relevant skills and experience that you have based on the job you are applying for and the type of writing you specialise in.

How to develop your career as a writer

The best way to develop your career as a writer is to produce high-quality content on a regular basis. Choose one topic and write about it every day. The more you write, the better you will become at crafting compelling and persuasive copy. It is also important to read as much as possible and to stay up to date with the latest trends in your field. You can do this by following industry leaders on social media, subscribing to newsletters and attending conferences and events. Lastly, it is also beneficial to get involved in the community by joining writing groups and forums.

Graphic Designer or Website Designer

A graphic designer is responsible for developing unique and engaging designs that are user friendly and reflect brand colours and guidelines. The role of the graphic designer is to use digital technologies and software to plan and design digital and printed material such as brochures, magazines, logos and marketing material.

A website designer is responsible for the design and layout of a website. They work with clients to understand their needs and create a website that meets their objectives. Website designers also contribute to the overall user experience of a website, which includes the look, feel and navigation of the site.

Types of Positions

Graphic Designer – There are two main types of graphic designer positions: junior graphic designer and senior graphic designer.

Junior Graphic Designer – A junior graphic designer will assist with the entire project management lifecycle from the initial ideas phase through to completion. They will create design drafts, gather client feedback and then implement any changes to designs. The work of a junior will be to learn from senior designers, developing core skills as they gain more skills and expertise.

Senior Graphic Designer – A senior graphic designer will use advanced techniques to create creative content for clients that reflect the brand style. They will oversee all aspects of the design process from planning illustrations and mapping out infographics through to the management of marketing and promotional content.

Website Designer – There are three main types of website designer positions: junior website designer, senior website designer, and lead website designer.

Junior Website Designer – A junior website designer is responsible for the design and layout of a website. They will focus on the basic elements of website design and get to know how a website is designed to maximise user experience.

Senior Website Designer – A senior website designer will have more complex knowledge of design principles. They work with clients to understand their needs and create a website that meets their objectives. They also contribute to the overall user experience of a website, which includes the look, feel and navigation of the site.

Lead Website Designer – They will focus on the project management aspect of the work, ensuring that client projects are delivered to the highest standards, overseeing junior staff and undertaking more advanced web design tasks and functions.

Recruiters/Employers

Finding work as a graphic designer or website designer will depend on whether you wish to work on a freelance basis or in an employed capacity. For employed positions, you could consult job boards, recruiters who specialise in this area, or approach companies directly. For freelance work, you will need to market your services to potential clients.

Graphic designers and website designers can find work in a variety of industries, including advertising, marketing, web design, and publishing.

Requirements for a Graphic Designer or Website Designer

In order to be successful in a graphic design or website design role, you should possess the following skills:

· Creativity and imagination

· Artistic ability

· Technical skills

· Patience and attention to detail

· Communication and presentation skills

· Time management and organisational skills

· Problem-solving skills

An understanding of web technologies such as CSS, JavaScript and PHP to name a few

Interview Questions for a Graphic Designer or Website Designer Role

· What do you think the role of a graphic designer or website designer entails?

· Can you give me an example of a type of design that you are particularly interested in?

· Do you have any experience designing for the web? If so, please tell me about it.

· What are the key elements of good design?

· What programming languages do you have experience with?

What to Highlight in Your CV

As web design and graphic design are quite technical careers, you should highlight the software or technologies you are familiar with such as Adobe, WordPress, Illustrator, HTML, PHP, and CSS. You should also highlight any relevant work experience, whether this is in a paid or voluntary capacity. If you have any design awards or recognition, be sure to include these on your CV as well.

Digital Marketer

Work in this area will be varied and will focus on the main strands of online marketing: Search Engine Optimisation, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Funnel Building and Paid Advertising. A good digital marketer will understand each of these areas as your role will be to develop and implement campaigns for clients.

The types of roles and job titles in the digital marketing space include:

· Digital Marketing Assistant – A digital marketing assistant supports the day-to-day running of digital marketing campaigns. This might involve tasks such as conducting research, writing blog posts, creating email newsletters, and managing social media accounts.

· Digital Marketing Executive – A digital marketing executive is responsible for planning and executing digital marketing campaigns. This might involve developing strategies, writing copy, designing creatives, managing budgets, and reporting on results.

· Digital Marketing Manager – A digital marketing manager is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of digital marketing campaigns. This might involve developing strategies, writing copy, designing creatives, managing budgets, and reporting on results.

· Digital Marketing Director – A digital marketing director is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of digital marketing campaigns. This might involve developing strategies, writing copy, designing creatives, managing budgets, and reporting on results.

There are many other job titles within the digital marketing field, but these are some of the most common.

Requirements for a Digital Marketer

In order to be successful in a digital marketing role, you should possess the following skills:

· An understanding of digital marketing channels

· Creativity and imagination

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

· Good organisation and time management skills

· IT skills

Interview Questions for a Digital Marketer Role

If a company wanted to increase its brand awareness, what campaign would you suggest?

What is SEO and how can it be used in online marketing?

What is the role of content marketing?

If you were measuring performance of a meta description, which of the following metrics would be the most important – CTR, conversion rate or CPC?

Which type of marketing is most effective, inbound or outbound? How would you know when a campaign is not performing as it should?

What to Highlight On CV

The most important information to highlight on your CV for a digital marketing role include the campaigns you have been involved with and the results. These will show potential employers that you have the skills and experience necessary for the role. You should also highlight any relevant work experience, whether this is in a paid or voluntary capacity. If you have any design awards or recognition, be sure to include these on your CV as well. If you don’t have any results, the best way to get them is to build a website yourself and implement digital marketing strategies.

How to Develop a Career in Digital Marketing

If you are interested in pursuing a career in digital marketing, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of success. Firstly, it is important to get as much experience as possible working in the field. You can do this by taking on internships or working in entry-level roles. Secondly, it is also important to develop a strong understanding of the various digital marketing channels. This will allow you to identify which channels are most effective for achieving your desired results. Finally, it is also beneficial to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in digital marketing. This will ensure that you are using the most effective techniques and strategies. Digital Marketing is a rapidly changing field so staying on top of the latest trends, technologies and strategies is essential.

Conclusion

You should now be familiar with:

· The different types of remote working jobs that exist in the UK

· How to find work from home jobs

· Some of the different job types that you can explore

· How to write a winning CV for work from home jobs