When it comes to being an independent writer, generally speaking there are two choices- freelancing or telecommuting. As a freelance writer you work mainly on your own schedule whereas a telecommuter you work for a company at home based on their schedule. Telecommuting jobs for writers are as easy to come by as freelance gigs if you know where to look.
Finding Jobs
The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding telecommuting jobs if you know where to look. There are a number of excellent resources dedicated to posting telecommute jobs on a daily basis. Job boards are really the best place to go because companies almost always list open jobs on the well-known job sites. In addition, job boards are more effective because you spend less time jumping from site to site. Some of the top boards for telecommuting include:
- Indeed.com: This website board pulls listings from numerous job boards. Use the terms "telecommute" and "writer" in your search to find all of the open listings.
- Virtual Vocations: This site is dedicated to the individual wanting to work from home. Simply cruise through the job listings to find available writing positions. There are a wide number of offerings on this site.
- LinkedIn: This professional social networking site is a treasure trove of employment resources for the telecommuting writer. To take full advantage of the job board, join and participate in relevant groups.
- Idealist.org: This website has jobs mainly dedicated to non-profits, but there are enough hidden telecommuting gems to make it worth the effort to peruse.
- Mashable: This site is known for having its finger on all things technology and also has a job board that hosts a number of telecommuting writing jobs.
- Journalism Jobs: The listings here are perfect for individuals with a journalism degree or heavy journalism experience that want a steady writing gig.
Companies Hiring Telecommuters
There are a number of companies that use telecommute writers on a regular basis to meet their marketing, technical writing, social media, and blogging needs. Here are examples of a few of them:
- Aetna- This is a major health insurance company that often hires telecommuters for editing, transcription, and contract writing positions. Most of the jobs listed on their site are full time.
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability In Higher Education- This is an education-based association comprised of colleges in the U.S. and Canada. Per their website, this company is always looking for writers with technical expertise, web research, and web development.
- McAfee - A technology based company that often hires telecommuting writers for technology manuals, marketing materials, and copy.
- Bank of America - Telecommuting needs from this financial institution often include writing marketing materials, presentations, and technical manuals.
If there is a particular company you are interested in writing for, visit their website to view open job listings.
Job Seeking Tips
Improve your chances of landing the telecommute writing position you want by incorporating the following tips:
- Submit an impeccable resume. Go over your resume with a fine tooth comb to make sure there are no errors in grammar, spelling or formatting.
- Read instructions carefully. Sometimes employers will place special steps in the application process to weed out candidates who don't pay close attention.
- Scour job boards daily. The more jobs you apply to, the more you increase your chances of landing one. A good idea is to create an RSS feed of each job board in one page so you can read over them all at one time.
Telecommuting is a fast growing trend thanks to technology and the variety of communication options it offers. In fact, the telecommuting industry grew 173% between the years of 2005-2018 according to Global Workplace Analytics. Working from home is now a common choice for mothers, retirees looking to supplement their income, or individuals living in remote locations. Landing a telecommute writing job requires diligent searching, persistence, and a great resume.
