If you're a senior who wants to continue to earn a little extra income, remote jobs are a great opportunity. Best of all, the pandemic has made working from home the norm in many industries. If you are looking for jobs for seniors at home, we have an extensive list of possible opportunities, as well as how to get started once you find a position that sounds appealing.
Simple Work-From-Home Jobs for Seniors
Working from home is a lot easier than it sounds. Many of these positions use the same skills that you had in previous roles and even use abilities that you have gained while enjoying current hobbies. Depending on the role that you are hoping to land, keep in mind that employers may require certain computer skills and there could be potential start-up costs.
However, there is also the option to work for yourself! We break down some of the top ways to rake in some extra bucks without having to leave the comfort of your home!
Become a Seller on eBay, Etsy, Amazon, or Your Own E-commerce Website
Do you have a lot of clutter around your home? Or are you an expert crafter? Everybody loves something, which means that a simple way to make extra cash is by selling items online. Sites like Mercari, Poshmark, eBay, and Facebook can be great platforms to use if you have various nicknacks, clothing pieces, or even antiques lying around the house that you would like to sell. You can even go one step further and visit estate sales and garage sales to look for items to sell on eBay that can make you a potential profit.
Conversely, if you are looking to sell your own creations, sites like Amazon and Etsy are fantastic platforms for showcasing your products. You can also build your own e-commerce website.
Be a Freelance Writer or Blogger
Everyone is an expert in something! What was your job in years past? What hobbies do you currently enjoy? What are you passionate about? If you have a flair for writing, you can easily become a freelance writer or blogger. Sites like ProBlogger, FlexJobs, and Upwork are spectacular spaces for beginners to find work. You can also find part-time work from home jobs on sites like Indeed.
Many people don't realize that companies hire proofreaders to review their work. This is another easy position to take on at home. Those with English and law backgrounds may find a lot of success in these types of positions.
Be a Seamstress or Quilt Maker
Are you a whiz with a needle and thread? If so, you can work from home as a seamstress. Depending on your experience level, you can mend or alter garments or even create custom pieces. If you are a talented quilt maker, you can also sell your quilts for $100 to $500 or more. These are great gifts for new parents, which means there is quite a marketplace for these types of items.
Offer Childcare Services
Little ones will keep you young and active. If you have the patience and energy, childcare can be a perfect work-at-home job for seniors that allows you to pick your own hours and set your own rates.
Start a Photographer Business or Be a Freelance Photographer
If you have a way with a camera and know how to use editing equipment, or you are willing to learn, photographers can make great money and you can even set up a studio in your home or backyard! People are always in the market for holiday and senior photos, family portraits, and newborn shots.
If you don't mind driving to other locations, you can also photograph children's birthday parties, weddings, and other big life events.
Maintain Websites or Do Graphic Design
If you have a background in I.T. or working with computers, there are an array of opportunities that you can take on from home. Best of all, you are likely already equipped with the knowledge you need to work remotely, with little to no need for training!
Be a Translator
Many websites need help with translating existing content into other languages. For those folks who know a multitude of languages, becoming a translator is an easy work-from-home job that can actually pay quite well!
Work as a Business Consultant
Were you an expert in your field? Did you get promoted to a key position within a company? Then you may want to consider becoming a consultant. This is a great opportunity to impart your expertise and help a company improve.
Try Customer Care
Companies like Apple, AMEX, and Southwest Airlines offer remote customer service opportunities to help callers with online support. If you have a friendly voice, you can make good money by spending the day on the telephone! Some companies will even pay for your tools and internet.
Find Side Work as a Tax Accountant or Bookkeeper
If you are a retired C.P.A. or bookkeeper, you can start your own work from home business doing income tax returns or books for small businesses.
Start a Business as a Cook, Baker, or Caterer
If you love to cook, start a side business selling catered meals for parties or selling homemade individual meals to customers. If you bake, you can make cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more for parties or you can sell your products to small local restaurants or neighborhood shops. Keep your business small or go big with your baking. Just make sure that you have enough help in the kitchen to fill your orders.
Become a Local Tutor
Whether you were a teacher in a past life or you just have a degree and experience in a specific subject, parents are always looking for tutors to help their kids succeed! You can also work at a community college if you have enough secondary education! Many offer virtual classes that would allow you to teach right from your living room.
Offer Your Skills as Music Teacher
Whether you play the guitar, piano, the saxophone, or the ukelele, people will pay big bucks for private lessons! Best of all, the only equipment required is your instrument and some music books!
Be a Gardener
If you have that proverbial green thumb, gardening for profit might be the job for you! Sell items like fresh and dried herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Farmer's markets are always a wonderful spot to sell your produce or you can work with stores in your region who are looking for locally grown merchandise.
Give Auto Repair a Try
Whether you're retired from the auto industry or just have a love for cars, repairing and maintaining vehicles can be the ideal work at home job for you.
Do Side Work as a Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
For true animal lovers, becoming a pet sitter or dog walker can be an excellent option.
Best Spots to Search for Work at Home Jobs for Seniors
To find more information about jobs for seniors at home, try the following resources:
- Small Business Association - This association will help plan, launch, manage, and grow your business.
- The Work at Home Wife - This website lists great work at home jobs and career websites for retirees as well.
- Indeed - Simply type "remote" in the location slot and find work from home jobs for businesses all over the country.
- ZipRecruiter - Answer a few questions about your skills, your job preferences, and your experience, and then start searching for available positions.
- AARP Job Board - This website not only has a work from home job site, but they also offer AARP members a free course on Mastering Remote Work.
Find the Perfect Work-At-Home Jobs for Seniors
The best kind of job for anyone, whether young or old, is one that you enjoy, can do well, and produces your desired income. This means that finding the right employment is a highly individualized process.
Determine What Kind of Job You Want
Before diving into any entrepreneurial endeavors, ask yourself the following questions:
- How many hours a week do I want to work?
- Why do I want a job? For social interactions, self-fulfillment, extra money, etc.
- How much money do I want or need to make?
- How much money do I want to put into start-up costs? Do I have any money to put into a business?
- What are my best skills or strongest interests?
- What supplies do I already have?
That last question is important. Obviously, it will be easier to sell antiques if you have some on hand. In order to work on website design, you will need a computer. If you want to start cranking out some quilts, a sewing machine is a must. All these things cost money so consider what you can afford to invest in and if that initial cost will pay off.
Assess Your Skills
In order to get any job, you need the right background. The best way to assess your skills is to consider what kind of employment you've held outside of the home and the experience you have gained from different activities you have taken part in throughout the years. For instance:
- If you were a kindergarten teacher for years and loved it, consider starting an at home daycare for two or three children.
- If you were a restaurant chef, you could prepare homemade meals and deliver them to families lacking the time to cook.
- If you were a secretary with fast typing skills, you could transcribe interviews or work as a closed captioning writer for a media company.
Think about how the skills you have can apply to other positions and get creative with your search! For those individuals who have never worked outside of the home, make a list of all the skills you gained while being a homemaker. Painting, antique collecting, scrapbooking, landscaping - all of these skills can translate into work-at-home jobs for seniors.
Create a Resume
For the seniors who plan to apply for a remote position, you will need to update your resume. Make sure that this document is tailormade to highlight the skills you possess that are required for the job that you desire. Don't forget to include a references page, a portfolio of your work (if you are applying for writing or business consultation gigs), and gather a few letters of recommendation. Once these tasks are done, you can start applying!
Look Out for Scams
Paying out of pocket for start-up costs like a computer or sewing supplies is one thing. But, if someone is advertising at-home work and requests money up front, that should be a red flag. Real businesses will never ask you for money - they pay you. Be diligent to watch for work-at-home scams im your search.
Enjoy Your New Job
Some seniors may need to work from home to make extra money while others just want to find a more engaging way to pass the time. Whatever your situation may be, just make sure your work from home job does not become stressful or overwhelming. Find something that you're passionate about and that you truly enjoy!
