Quick Highlights:
- More jobs are moving online, especially in tech and telehealth, and this trend is expected to keep growing.
- The top fields for remote work include technology, digital marketing, finance, education, healthcare, and creative industries.
- Working from home offers a better balance between work and life, saves on commuting costs, and lets you live where it’s cheaper.
- To prepare for remote work, build relevant skills and complete any necessary degrees or certifications.
Table of contents
As you decide on the education and career you want, it is important to consider the type of work environment you want to have. Certain industries are better for remote work than others. For example, telehealth and the technology industry are known for having a lot of work-from-home positions.
Remote work industries are appealing to modern professionals because they provide a better work-life balance. Your paycheck can also stretch farther because you can live in an area with a lower cost of living and avoid commuting costs. By learning about the best industries for remote work, you can discover new opportunities and a rewarding career path.
Related:
The Shift to Remote Work
Prior to the pandemic, there was already a shift to remote work. In 2019, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration found that 51 million Americans reported that they had used the internet to work remotely at least some of the time. This reflected at least a third of the active workforce in 2019. However, only 6% of people worked from home on a regular basis before the pandemic began.
By May 2020, 48.7 million people worked from home. One McKinsey study indicated that up to 29.7% of workers could do their jobs at home with the same level of productivity, and 10% of workers could switch to remote work if they had to.
Currently, 22 million adults work from home all the time according to the Pew Research Center. This represents about 14% of the workforce. However, many of the people who can work remotely only do it part of the time. Only one-third of workers who can work remotely do it all the time.
Thanks to global events and technological advancements, the number of work-from-home employees is only going to increase in the future. According to Upwork, by 2025 32.6 million workers are forecasted to work from home.
By working remotely, employees can enjoy a number of different benefits.
- Lower commuting costs
- Better work-life balance
- More flexible work hours
- Ability to work in a less expensive neighborhood
- Less stress
- Better job satisfaction
- Improved physical and mental health
Technology and IT
The best industries for remote work tend to involve a lot of technology. For example, the technology industry has remote opportunities in web design, IT support, and software development. This industry is particularly well-suited for remote work because the majority of the average employee’s work is already done on a computer.
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Other than the technology industry, you can find many remote jobs in digital marketing and social media. Because these types of jobs are also done through computers and mobile devices, you don’t have to be in a specific location to get your job done. Instead, you can work remotely and collaborate online.
In this field, you can work as a digital marketer, social media manager, or video creator. Other types of content creation, like copywriting, are also available in this field. There are 4.59 billion social media users in the world, which means there are plenty of opportunities for online marketing jobs.
Finance and Accounting
If you have the right degree, finance and accounting are excellent fields for remote work. The rise of fintech means that more people are working in online finance jobs than ever before. Apps, like Robinhood and Acorns, are used by average people to invest and save money. Because these apps need financial minds to run them, there are many remote jobs available.
To work from home in finance and accounting, you will typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher. You may also need to get a license or certification from your state. For instance, accountants, bookkeepers, and financial advisors must get specific certifications to do their jobs. Once you have the right degree and certification, you can get hired in the best industries for remote work.
Education and E-learning
If you’re searching for the top remote work industries, consider working in education and e-learning. There are many jobs available for online tutors and teachers. In addition, you can find positions with e-learning companies as a course creator or an educational consultant. Because so many students are turning to online programs for their education, there are many remote jobs available in education.
Healthcare
Today, there are many remote job opportunities in healthcare. While telehealth is the most popular option, you don’t have to work as a telehealth doctor to get a remote healthcare job. Instead, many telehealth jobs are available in medical coding and healthcare administration.
Telehealth also offers job opportunities for people who work in mental health care. Counseling sites, like Better Help and Talkspace, provide people with a safe environment where they can find a counselor and work through their problems. If you have a degree in counseling and the appropriate certificate, this type of job can pay incredibly well.
Creative Industries
The creative industries are another location where you can find remote work. You can get hired as a graphic designer, writer, or musician. For example, some people are paid to write the theme music for television shows. Additionally, you can work in other aspects of video production.
Thanks to digital platforms, there are more online opportunities for creative people than ever before. If you want to work as an independent contractor, you can find jobs through platforms like Upwork. Over time, you can also build a professional network that leads to more job opportunities. Because you can work for anyone when you work online, your employer could be located in any country in the world.
Tips for Entering a Remote-Friendly Industry
Remote work industries are thriving, but it can be difficult to land a job in them. Many people want to get remote jobs, so there are often more applicants for remote jobs than there are for in-person positions. If you want to stand out from the crowd and get hired in remote work industries, make sure to use the following tips.
Focus on Skill Development
The first step in getting hired for a remote job is developing the right skills. You must be able to collaborate in a digital environment. More importantly, you must be excellent at time management and being responsible for your own tasks. In addition, you should learn how to take initiative and be proactive because it is easy for things to fall through the cracks when you don’t have a lot of in-person time with your managers each day.
Get a College Degree
Many remote jobs require a college degree. For instance, you will need a degree to work as an accountant. Other jobs, like jobs in digital marketing and human resources, don’t always require a degree. Even if a bachelor’s degree isn’t a job requirement, you’ll have an easier time getting hired if you have a college education.
Find the Right Certification
Once you know the type of industry you want to work in, you need to get the right certification. Telehealth jobs, like working as a counselor or telehealth doctor, typically require a certification from your state or the profession’s governing body. Meanwhile, many jobs in the technology industry will accept certifications if you don’t have a college degree.
Build a Strong Resume
Because remote work industries are extremely competitive, you need to build a strong resume. You will have to compete with dozens or hundreds of other applicants for each position, so your resume has to stand out. Remove any job-hopping positions from your resume and make sure you have previous experience in the industry.
Work on Your References
Well-paid positions will often call your references to research your background. Pick references that demonstrate your professional abilities. Before you apply, notify your references that you will be using them so that they are prepared for a potential phone call.
Network in Your Industry
To learn about potential jobs in your industry, it is important to network with other professionals. For example, you can go to job fairs or sign up for an internship to meet other people in your industry. You can also sign up for conferences and professional organizations for your specific industry.
Start by Working at an In-person Job First
If you don’t have a lot of experience in your industry, you need to spend more time building your resume and portfolio. This may mean that you have to start by working at an in-person job for a while before you can move up to a remote position. The good news is that you may be able to remain at the same organization when you make this transition.
Once you have worked at a company for a while, you can start applying for remote positions at the same business. Your organization already knows what a great employee you are, so this gives you an advantage over any other applicants for the position.
Start Preparing for a Remote Position Today
If you are searching for the best remote work industries, there are a number of options available. Initially, you should determine which remote work industries you want to get hired in. For example, you may want to work in telehealth or the technology industry. Afterward, you can start building your resume and portfolio so that you can get remote jobs.
While remote work is a fairly recent trend, it isn’t a fad. This type of employment is only going to become more common as technology improves. Once you have the right background, you can enjoy a viable, long-term position in a growing field.