This article by Brie Weiler Reynolds originally appeared on FlexJobs. It is reprinted with permission.
Side jobs have been popular for quite some time.
Prior to the pandemic, side jobs were a popular option for workers wanting to earn extra money with flexible hours that accommodated a full-time job or daily responsibilities. Indeed, before COVID-19 hit, nearly one-third of Americans reported needing supplemental income to pay for their regular living expenses. And 48% of millennials (along with 38% of Gen Xers and 28% of Baby Boomers) participated in the gig economy.
Now, side gigs are more important than ever. With unemployment rates expected to remain high through 2021, many job seekers are looking for freelance jobs that will allow them to earn income while also leaving time to search for more permanent, full-time employment.
Note: FlexJobs is a subscription service for job seekers that features flexible and remote jobs. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the monthly subscription costs allow them to fully vet and verify all of the jobs on our site—ensuring that customers have a safe and positive job searching experience. FlexJobs is an affiliate partner of Career Contessa, which means if you sign up we earn a small referral fee at no cost to you. And you know we only work with partners we know, love, and trust!
A Freelance State of Mind
Freelance positions can be lifesavers, bridging the gap between full-time jobs and providing critical supplemental income during uncertain economic times. Fortunately, companies benefit from freelance gigs, too. Businesses struggling financially to bring on regular, long-term employees can turn to freelancers to fill in their staffing gaps until the economy rebounds.
Freelance roles can have various schedules, including part-time, flexible schedule, alternative schedule, long-term, short-term, seasonal, and occasional basis. Although freelance side jobs are often part-time, keep in mind that you can combine two or more smaller side gigs to create full-time employment—often with more flexibility than a traditional role may offer.
Top Freelance Side Jobs for Professionals
To highlight the variety of side jobs available, we’ve identified 25 freelance jobs that are perfect for supplemental income, along with their average hourly wage. Bonus: Most of them also offer remote options!
Bookkeepers record and maintain an organization’s financial transactions, including expenses, purchases, invoices, payments, and sales revenue. Typical duties include updating the general ledger and account reconciliation.
Career coaches help clients identify career goals, develop skills, and plan for career changes. Services provided include resume and cover letter review, interview coaching, and helping job seekers identify career opportunities.
The primary duties of a curriculum writer include developing educational lessons, instructional materials, and activities for teachers. Curriculum writers may also research academic trends and review current materials.
Consultants conduct research and analyze information to provide advice and expertise that helps businesses improve performance, efficiency, and profitability. Consultants work across a variety of industries and departments.
Copy editors review written materials to ensure proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They may also verify facts, edit for style, and arrange page layouts for both online and print publications.
Third-party services and individual companies hire customer service representatives to assist customers with product and service usage, adding or reducing services, resolving issues, and more.
Editors work with print and online publications, companies, and organizations to ensure their content is well-written and compelling. Responsibilities can include preparing, rewriting, and editing copy.
8. Executive Assistant
An executive assistant provides administrative support to senior-level managers, including coordinating executive communications, preparing expense reports, managing calendars, and making travel arrangements.
Working with various brands, companies, government agencies, or nonprofits, graphic designers create visual concepts and design branding, web pages, print publications, marketing collateral, and other communication materials.
Health coaches assess their clients’ lifestyles and make recommendations for nutritional and behavioral changes that support health and wellness. Health coaches may also create and deliver written materials and seminars.
People with outstanding language skills in two or more languages can interpret, translate, and re-communicate written and verbal messages to facilitate communication between parties. Interpreters can work in a variety of industries.
Lead generation specialists coordinate with marketing teams to reach out to and engage potential clients in order to grow new business. They may also handle inbound phone and email inquiries from clients.
Health insurance companies and medical providers hire medical coders to assist with medical billing by ensuring accurate and fast coding of patient visits, procedures, and related information.
People with excellent speaking and writing skills can work as online ESL teachers to help non-native English speakers learn to speak, read, understand, and write English. Teachers may also design lessons and prepare course materials.
Photographers use creative solutions to capture and edit photos of events, people, objects, and places for various clients, including small businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Project managers plan and oversee projects to ensure timely completion within budget. Duties include planning project resources, preparing budgets, monitoring progress, and keeping project teams updated on progress.
Proofreaders help educational publications, news outlets, book publishers, online companies, and other content producers create high-quality content by proofreading for spelling, consistency, grammar, usage, punctuation, and syntax.
A quantitative market researcher uses polls, surveys, and questionnaires to research markets and gather information from target audiences. Responsibilities may also include analyzing responses and creating detailed research reports.
Companies often hire recruiters to search out qualified job candidates and to recruit and evaluate applicants. They may also attend job fairs, conduct screening and skills assessments, and negotiate wage rates.
Resume writers prepare resumes for job applicants by evaluating their qualifications, job history, and experience. They also incorporate words and formatting that will be most favorable for the intended industry and employer.
Social media managers design and implement social media strategies by performing research, generating content, monitoring web traffic, communicating with followers, and helping to develop brand awareness.
Transcribers use speedy and precise typing skills to create written records of a variety of content, including meetings, conversations, and audio and video recordings. Transcribers also review drafts for completeness and accuracy.
In a small group or one-on-one setting, tutors help clients learn subjects like math, science, and languages, or help prepare them for specific standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, GMAT, or LSAT. They may also create instructional materials.
Using a combination of skills, virtual assistants act as administrative and personal assistants for clients while working remotely. Duties may include answering emails, scheduling meetings, and arranging travel.
Writers create content in the form of manuscripts, articles, blog posts, marketing materials, website copy, and more for various companies and clients, including online media outlets and print publications.
Popular Industries for Freelance Jobs
Some career fields are more likely to hire for freelance jobs than others, especially during tumultuous economic times. These industries often have the most available freelance positions:
- Computer & IT
- Accounting & Finance
- HR & Recruiting
- Editing, Proofreading, and Writing
- Administrative
- Project Management
Find Your Freelance Side Gig
If you’re like most Americans, you can always use some extra cash in your pocket, even in a healthy economy. But when the job market is struggling and your freelance side hustle becomes your main source of income, it can be a true lifeline.
If you’re just starting your freelance journey, check out the FlexJobs blog for information on how to find freelance work during the pandemic, how to land your first freelance client, and which companies post the most remote freelance jobs.
Not a member yet? Take the tour today and learn how FlexJobs can help you find a professional, freelance side job. Also, FlexJobs is an affiliate partner of Career Contessa, which means if you sign up we earn a small referral fee at no cost to you. We only work with partners we know, love, and trust!
This article by Brie Weiler Reynolds originally appeared on FlexJobs and is reprinted with permission. Photo credit: #WOCinTech
