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Online Jobs that Don’t Require Being on the Phone

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With Rona not going away any time soon, people have been looking at online alternatives to make a living. Work from home is more in demand than ever. However, there are many online jobs available in the market, and you might be confused about where to start.

 

What you need to do first is to narrow down what you want to do. If you like to shift from offline to online work but don’t like doing phone calls, this post will help you.

 

Check the list of online jobs below and see where your skill set fits:

 

Chat and Email Support

If you are looking for an online job that requires minimum equipment, this is it. You will only need a working computer on top of your existing customer support skills to thrive in this setting.

 

What is the difference between chat support and email support?

 

Chat Support is where you support your company’s services or products by answering customers’ questions via customer service software like Help Scout, Zendesk, Freshdesk and Hubspot, to name a few. You may also be supporting a live chat app built-in on your company’s website so that customers can communicate with you in real-time.

 

Email support, on the other hand, is managing your employer’s emails and answering them on their behalf. You’ll need to know how to prioritize emails by their urgency level and filter the ‘noise’ (spam, newsletters that are not relevant, etc.), so you can see and respond to all critical emails immediately. 

 

In hindsight, there is no major difference between the two roles. However, both will require attention to detail and an excellent English grasp if this is not your native language. Spelling and grammar checkers like Grammarly can help you be more confident with your writing or email compositions.

 

Social Media Specialist  

Another online job that is quite popular is social media specialist/manager. If you are tech-savvy and know your ways in the social media world, then you should check this out. 

 

This job will require you to handle your company’s social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. The main task is to produce content for marketing purposes, so your writing skills should be above average. A good eye for design might also be handy in maintaining the theme/brand of the company when doing visual posts. 

 

Another likely task is to respond to questions or inquiries on your assigned social platforms, and you might have to learn search engine optimization.

 

Once you have mastered the skills needed for this job, it will be easy peasy moving forward, and it will be no different to you posting on your own social media accounts.

 

Translator 

If you know another language such as Mandarin, French, Spanish, or any other foreign language, you can start a translator career. This type of online work is often project-based or per job basis. The tasks given are mostly documents that need translating like, subtitles for videos or books.

 

Although there are many translator websites or apps on the Internet, it is not always as accurate as listening and translating it in person. Hence, businesses/employers will still hire a person than rely heavily on apps.

 

Which job above do you think suits you best? Or, if you are already doing one of the jobs above, we’d love to hear what your experiences are. Please drop us a comment below, and let’s exchange insights!

 

You can send us your application using this form.

 

Tips for Online Job Hunting

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Job search significantly changed over the past few years. In this digital age, searching for a job is simple and faster with the use of technology. Here are some tips you can follow when applying for jobs online.

 

Have separate resumes for your recruiter and the employer 

 

You need to have a generic resume that you send out to your recruiter and another resume for your possible employer; this is one practice that we highly recommend as it serves different purposes. 

The generic resume has basic information about you as the other resume would include an in-depth focus on you wherein you highlight your skills and experiences. A great example would be instead of saying, “I have experience with Graphic Design”, you would say “I have a 6-year experience with graphic design using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, with projects dealing with advertisements, posters, and posts on social media”. You can also bridge the interest of your employer into reading your full resume by adding more details about your skills and experience to your cover letter.

Another great thing to follow is to tailor your in-depth resume to the job that you are applying for. Adding a personal touch, explaining your skills and why you would be fit for the job will make a big difference in how your application would go. For example, the details about your graphic design experience might not be a good highlight if you are applying for a writing job. You should highlight the parts of your resume that are best suitable for the job application. You can include personal experiences about the job itself and how you go about fulfilling your role.

 

Search and study information about the companies that you aim for 

 

Sending resumes to multiple recruiters and employers will give you more opportunities and indeed give you more chances of getting hired. But, instead of sending it out to just about everyone you can think of can also waste a lot of time. Why not just choose companies that interest you? Choose companies that target the skills and experience that you have. You have the power of the internet at your fingertips, best to utilize it to your advantage. Search about the companies that would most likely hire you. In this way, the chances of getting hired are high and, you do not have to wait for several companies to respond to your application. It also gives you fewer but good quality applications at hand. 

Another thing we recommend is to research the company you are aiming for. Researching the company is an extra step but, it can go a long way. A good way to start building your resume for a company’s job application is knowing their history, social media presence and, maybe understanding their mission and vision. It will give the company the impression that you are committed to your application. It is always a good way to market yourself to your possible employer by customizing your resume to help them see that you are a good fit for their company. 

 

There are a lot of jobs out there. The power of the internet is at your fingertips. Make sure to use the information wisely and to your advantage. Use these tips so you can land the job you are aiming for. 

 

We can help you land your new online job here.

 

5 Basic Apps for Virtual Assistants

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As we all know by now, a Virtual Assistant’s tasks can vary depending on what their client needs. There are a lot of digital tools out there that can help a Virtual Assistant do their jobs and more efficiently. These tools will depend on the kind of job they need to perform for their clients. There are tools for web development, social media, content creation and management, email, among others. 

 

Here are some of the tools a Virtual Assistant should understand and be familiar with before they start with the job. 

 

Slack 

Effective communication is vital to increase productivity and build good relationships in a working environment. A company needs to have a way to communicate constructively and also be able to protect information and files within their workspace; that is where Slack comes in. Slack is one of the most commonly used messaging platform tools used by Virtual Assistants for communication. 

One good characteristic of Slack is better organization of projects, tasks, and files; this helps users avoid getting lost in conversations on messengers or emails. You can also connect Slack to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox when sharing files and data. 

 

Zoom 

Holding video meetings are also frequent with people working online. Skype was the most widely used video conferencing app before, but today most people use Zoom. The significant difference between the two is the number of participants it can accommodate for each video conference call.

The key features of Zoom that make it innovative are its screen sharing and recording options. Screen sharing allows a presenter to share their computer’s screen on the video conference call for better visualizations. It also allows users to record the Zoom meeting for easier documentation. 

Explaining your work and making your participants understand your presentation by just using words is sometimes challenging. The screen sharing option on Zoom can make it easier to grasp what you want to convey as they can see your notes and visuals. You also have the choice to record the Zoom meeting so that participants have an option to go back and watch the presentation again. It is valuable for someone who has a hard time taking down notes as they can focus more on the presentation itself.

 

Google Apps 

Google Apps, formerly known as G Suite, is the most popular business app available right now. Aside from Google Apps being incredibly easy to use, it also offers a wide range of collaboration and productivity tools. It includes emailing, organizing schedules and tasks, having enough Cloud storage space for files like photos, spreadsheets, presentations, and even doing video meetings. Another good thing about Google Apps is that it’s available on mobile devices.

 

Buffer 

Buffer is a social media management tool. It allows users to access multiple social media profiles in just one place. It helps manage social media accounts and save time posting on different platforms. 

Another great feature of Buffer is being able to plan and schedule posts. Buffer gathers data and gives information on when is the best time to publish posts. With this information, organizing the time of each post will make it more effective in reaching the intended audience.

 

Canva 

Canva is very popular now specifically for people who are not Photoshop savvy. Canva is a simple graphic design platform that has a wide range of templates for all kinds of content. There are options to create Facebook posts, Instagram posts, make art for marketing images, flyers or posters, and even illustrations that are very much customizable depending on what you need. It will also allow you to create presentations and present it, create video and video thumbnail arts, even logos and gifs. 

These tools are just some of the basic online tools needed when you start to work as a Virtual Assistant. You may need to learn a few more tools as you go that will help you kick start your VA career. 

And when you have gained enough confidence to be a full-time Virtual Assistant, you can get help from us HERE.

Easy Online Jobs That Can Be Flexible And Fun

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Now more than ever is the right time to check on jobs that you can easily do at home. Whether you are a mom, a college student or someone who want to work from home indefinitely, these online jobs can be your way to earn extra, or it can be a career you can pursue. 

 

We have listed a few easy work-from-home jobs that might work for you:

 

  • Data Entry 

 

Data Entry is simply entering data into a system. Typically, you will need to deal with Google Apps or Microsoft Office, or other tools depending on the tasks. For example, a keyboard with a number pad will be significant for when you deal with number-related tasks. If you can easily follow instructions, can type efficiently, have good attention to detail, and you dig routine work, then you are perfect for this job. 

There is not much of a challenge with Data Entry as you would probably be doing the same thing every time. To give you a better grasp of what the job entails, below is a list of tasks you would likely be doing: 

    • Organizing files
    • Data input into a database 
    • Checking if the information on the database are correct 

 

  • Transcription

 

If you are a great listener and have fast typing skills, then you have checked the major requirements for a transcriptionist. 

Transcriptionists listen to audio recordings then convert them into written documents. The documents are usually legal, medical, and educational materials. Typically, a transcriptionist needs to type at least 50 wpm (words per minute), but at times they are required to type 60-70 words per minute. 

You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started working as a transcriptionist. You only need a good computer that can play audio files and a working headset. Companies will sometimes provide you with transcription software. 

 

Here is a more detailed job description for transcriptionist: 

    • Creating accurately written documents of either audio or video recordings.
    • Review and check transcriptions to ensure accuracy. 
    • Excellent typing speed with attention to details such as grammar and punctuations. 

 

  • Writing 

 

If you have a knack for writing, then you are going to love this online job. There are different types of writing you can choose from, depending on the style you prefer.

For example, you can write letters or documents, legal documents, and sales copies for product and marketing purposes. You can also write content for blogs and social media, ghostwriting, or even script writing. 

 

Here are the necessary skills you need before you jump into writing:

    • It would help if you had a good understanding of grammar and constructing clear sentences. 
    • Attention to detail like flow and readability. 

 

We have categorized the jobs above as easy because they do not need a lot of requirements or vast experience to get started. You only need a computer, internet connection, and basic skills.

 

If you want to begin your online career and want to start with easy tasks, look for jobs similar to what we’ve listed above. There are plenty of online platforms that cater to single-task jobs.

 

And when you have gained enough confidence to be a full-time Virtual Assistant, you can get help from us HERE.

 

4 Proven Steps to Become a VA

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With our previous article, we shared all about what a Virtual Assistant does, and why online jobs are the way to go.

Now that you understand what a Virtual Assistant is, and have decided to become one, what is the next step?

Let us go through the checklist of the things you need before embarking on being a Virtual Assistant.

 

1. Make Sure You Are Work-From-Home Ready 

Just like when you prepare for regular office work, you have to make sure you have the right attire, are not late, and are familiar with the tools needed for the job. With work from home, it’s the same. You need to make sure that you are all set before starting your online career.

Here are the things you need to prepare to be work-from-home ready. 

  • A computer/laptop. 

We recommend getting a computer rather than a laptop if you are a first-timer. With desktops, you can update your system unit if a higher specification is needed or if you need to add peripherals to your computer set-up. They are also cheaper than laptops. If there is any downside, that is, it won’t be portable. However, you can easily upgrade to a laptop once you have stable employment.

  • A stable internet connection.

If you are to spend money on your new work-from-home set-up, we highly advise that you invest more in your internet connection (if at all possible). A fast and stable internet connection is a must if you plan to work from home. It helps with your productivity and saves you from the nightmare of a buffering internet when you need to attend online meetings or interviews.

Another tip is to get a reliable backup connection like a pocket-wifi – this is a lifesaver when your primary internet connection suddenly becomes unstable. 

  • Noise-canceling headphones

There is hardly a zero-noise environment unless you are in a soundproof room. And most times, you need a quiet space to have a peaceful and focused conversation with your client or even when you are just working on your tasks. Investing in affordable but decent noise-canceling headphones will help you greatly when working.

 

2. Make Sure You Are Interview Ready 

In one of our articles, we shared Five Ways To Impress Your Recruiter Even Before The Interview. Here is a summary of that article: 

  • Have an organized resume that showcases your skills, talents, and employment history. 
  • Have a prominent online presence and ensure that your social media accounts or online profiles have professional content (if public).
  • Research your prospective employer’s business. It is always a plus if you put a lot of effort into knowing the company you are applying for because this shows your future employer that you are interested in working with them.
  • Go through some possible questions and practice answering them. 
  • Make sure your computer, headset, and video cam are working, and the internet is stable before the interview. If your internet is unstable, tell your interviewer or client and advise on how long it would take you to get back online or to reschedule it all together. Sometimes technical difficulties are unavoidable even if you made sure that everything is ready. With the right response to your interviewer or client, you might get a second interview or meeting. 

 

3. Make Sure You Are Training Ready 

It makes a good impression and shows commitment to being a Virtual Assistant if you have undergone Virtual Assistant training/courses. 

There is a lot of free and paid training for Virtual Assistants that you can go through. However, if you can’t afford to buy training yet, you can probably use your existing skillset and leverage it. 

In our article, “How To Make Money From What You Know,” we explained how your previous office-based experience could help you land a work-from-home job without an online course.

 

4. Make Sure You Are Payment Ready 

With PhilTeamFinder, once we have placed our candidate with an employer, their trial period is already paid. It is in your best interest to set up a PayPal account, the most popular online payment platform used by overseas employers, to get paid without hassles.

 

Starting from scratch may be difficult, but remember that anything worth having will require some work. Do what’s needed, work smart, and stay focused on your end goal.

Now that you have more information about the steps to being a Virtual Assistant, are you ready to become one? Our team can help you get started here. 

 

What does a Virtual Assistant actually do?

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Ever dreamt of working anywhere you want? Like your living room while in front of the TV in your PJs? Or, using your laptop at your dining room table while having breakfast with your kids? Or maybe you just don’t like working in an office? 

Is this even possible? 

You may have seen posts on social media and on various job posting sites about a job called “Virtual Assistant.” This may be new to you, but, Virtual Assistants or VAs have been a real thing for quite a while. It became highlighted with job hunters when the pandemic started because people are opting for a safer option.

 

What is a Virtual Assistant?

In case you are wondering, a virtual assistant is a self-employed worker who provides support or administrative services to businesses and entrepreneurs remotely (as in, not in the same physical location).

Virtual assistants are in HOT demand. This applies to small businesses and for big companies. Virtual Assistants can do many different tasks without the need to be in an office.

 

A Typical Virtual Assistant Job Description

 

Some tasks that a Virtual Assistant does might be:

 

  • Support Services, like customer support, email support, and chat support. They can handle simple customer inquiries through email or chat. 
  • Bookkeeping, orders, and refunds. 
  • Administrative Services like managing appointments, bookings, calendars, and contacts. 
  • Content Creation Services are content creation, ghostwriting, editing, proofreading, transcription, content research. 
  • Other services specific to your skill sets include website design, WordPress website maintenance, graphic design and layout, editing videos, digital marketing tasks, social media management, and lead generation. 

 

As we shared in our previous article, How To Make Money From What You Know, these skills might be something you already know or have vast experience working in an office. 

 

Why Become a Virtual Assistant? 

So the next question is, why become a Virtual Assistant? It was covered in our article:  Why Working from Home is Here to Stay, and to give you a summary, it is just more flexible and rewarding to work from home. 

 

Work anywhere. This is a luxury most people dream of. Working anywhere you want might be working from a different zip code every week. Some would look at this as spending the whole day working at the comfort of their bed. Being a Virtual Assistant allows you to have the freedom to do things to make a living but still feel like you’re living. 

A study showed that people with a comfortable working environment had increased work productivity.  ² Experimental research conducted over the last 30 years has found anywhere between a 2.7% to an 8.6% increase in productivity.  

Without the toxic commute and the pressure of office-settings, you can focus on working and performing. 

 

Rewarding. Rewarding is getting satisfaction or gratification. If you ever feel dissatisfied or unhappy with your work because of pressure and not being appreciated enough for your work, being a Virtual Assistant might be for you. VA’s have the freedom to work and get satisfaction because they are not motivated by the pressures of an office-based environment. They are driven by comfort and convenience. 

³ Another research by Flexjobs in 2019 found that 65% of professionals think they would be more productive working remotely than in a traditional office, with 49% saying they go to their home or home office when they really need to buckle down and get work done.  

 

If you want a type of career that can rid yourself of safety concerns, the pressures of office-based work and the convenience of working from the comfort of your home, going for a VA job is possibly the best fit for you. 

 

PhilTeamFinder can help you be the next Virtual Assistant HERE. 

 

² The Comfy Team. “The Comfort Productivity Connection”
³ Emily Courtney. “The Benefits of Working From Home: Why The Pandemic Isn’t the Only Reason to Work Remotely”

The Secret To Landing Your Dream Online Job

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The Secret to landing your dream online job

 

The internet is an excellent place for job hunters and has massively changed the job-hunting game.  In the old days, you would need to check the newspaper for job ads or directly walk-in to the company to check for job vacancies. The power of technology has made it easier and faster to check for job availability. But the competition is tight, so you need to have a gameplan to get a job online successfully. 

 

Here are a few things to prepare to successfully get that online job: 

1. Identify Your Career Goals 

There are over a million job postings online, and going through them without any clue what kind of job you are looking for is going to be overwhelming. So before you start searching, find out what career path you want to pursue. 

 

It helps to list down all your skills and credentials and then narrow down the possible career you can search for job listings online. It also helps to go through the categories on the job listing sites to have an idea of what kind of jobs are available online. Be sure to match the skill requirements for the job categories. This will help you leverage your resume once you build it. 

 

2. Build Your Resume 

Before you start searching for a job online, you also need to update your resume. Make sure to showcase your skills and experience to make your resume stand out so you can impress your recruiter even before the interview. 

 

Have a cover letter ready and customized for each job application. You should always include a cover letter when applying for a job online. 

 

 

It would also be best to create a LinkedIn profile. You can attach the link to your profile whenever you reach out to possible employers or see posts of job vacancies online. 

 

3. Search Job Using Job Keywords or Hashtags 

A keyword or hashtag is a word or phrase related to the type of job you are searching for. You can use this on Facebook or Instagram. Nowadays, companies and recruitment companies use social media to find possible employees.

 

For example, when you go to Facebook and are looking for a work-from-home job, you search for the phrase “Work From Home,” and all posts with this phrase will come up. Same goes for Instagram, just search using a hashtag like “#workfromhome” and all posts using that hashtag will come up.  

 

Using keywords and hashtags will help you to find that online job that you specifically want effectively quickly. 

 

4. Build a Network 

Get connected to recruiters and headhunters online. Most of the time, headhunters and recruiters are related to not just one but several employers. Besides helping you prepare for the interview and a bit of the company background, they can get you connected to several job opportunities that cater to your skills. 

 

Finding a successful job online will be easier with these pointers, but always remember that perseverance is the key to success. If you can’t find a successful career online in the first try, then keep on trying. 

 

 

When you are ready to start your online career, Philteamfinder can help you get started.