(WXYZ) — Convenience, flexibility and child care are some of the reasons people say they like the idea of working from home.
Catherine Alford, a Royal Oak mom and financial blogger, tracks the stay-at-home jobs that allow employees to enjoy those benefits. She says one of the hottest ones out there is called VIPkid. It's a company that wants it's workers to teach children in China how to speak English.
You get to set your own hours, there’s no lesson planning involved, and tutors typically earn between $14 and $22 an hour.
But if online teaching isn’t your thing, experts say to try virtual assisting. It includes managing calendars and social media or entering data for a company, all from your home. Use sites like Upwork and FlexJobs.com to find legit gigs that could pay as much as $35 to $50 an hour.
If you’ve got tech or business development experience, set your sights on Amazon, the company now offering hundreds of virtual positions ranging from customer service agents to supply chain managers. It could pay anywhere from $10 an hour to $50K a year.
Alford says another option is to consider starting your own business through blogging, that way you don’t have to rely on another company, worry about the company hiring too many contractors or not paying you on time.
Some bloggers have boasted six or seven-figure salaries from freelance writing, affiliate marketing or paid advertising. There’s no doubt, in today’s tech world there’s more to choose from than ever before. But above all, Alford says beware of the scams.
"No employer should ever promise you a specific dollar amount every single week or day - it should be based on your performance," she said.
More red flags include high pressure tactics to lure you in, being asked to send money immediately and unclear details on what you’re expected to do.
When in doubt, read the reviews. Check out the company on sites like the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org.
