Career Planning Finding a Job How To Find Online Employment Opportunities By Alison Doyle Alison Doyle Facebook Twitter Website Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts. learn about our editorial policies Updated on August 31, 2022 Are you looking for a job you can do online? There are more opportunities than ever before for both freelance and permanent remote workers. Finding work-at-home employment isn't always easy because there are scams that you'll need to avoid, but if you dedicate the time to check out potential employers, you'll find many online employment opportunities in a variety of occupations and career fields. Here's how to find work-at-home employment, the best jobs to work online, full-time and part-time remote work, side jobs to earn extra income, and how to research work-at-home jobs to make sure they are legitimate and avoid scams. Key Takeaways Reviewing jobs and companies can help narrow your search to the best work-from-home jobs.You shouldn't pay a fee to get hired—if you do, it might be a scam.The interview process is a little different for online jobs, but it's just as crucial for applicants to be adequately prepared. Tips for Finding the Best Online Jobs Eva-Katalin / E+ / Getty Images Are you ready to start a search for an online position? Here's how to find your first work-from-home job, and how to get started looking for jobs you can work online. These insider tips will help you find the best online job opportunities and show you where and how to look for well-paid remote jobs. Ideally, these are jobs you can do on your own schedule and while working from wherever you want. How To Find a Real Work at Home Job Ken Wramton / Stone / Getty Images Review how to find work-at-home jobs, including the top companies that hire employees to work from home, work-at-home job search advice and tips, and the best ways to look for online employment. Should You Pay a Fee to Get Hired? Hero Images / Getty Images There's a very simple rule when it comes to looking for work-at-home jobs: don't pay a fee—for anything. In most cases, you shouldn't pay for job listings, you shouldn't pay to apply for jobs, and you shouldn't pay a fee to get on the payroll. Companies pay you a salary. You don't pay them to hire you. Find Legitimate Work From Home Jobs Tetra Images / Getty Images Are you concerned about getting scammed? There are legitimate work-from-home jobs available. However, before you apply, it's important to carefully research the company to make sure the job is legitimate and not a scam designed to take your money or your personal information. Start a Work From Home Job Search Hero Images / Getty Images Keep in mind that the skills needed for home employment are similar to those needed for working in a traditional workplace. You need both the experience and the skills necessary to do the job. You may also need a home office or access to a shared workspace with a phone, fax, computer, printer, software, and other basic office equipment. Avoid Getting Scammed Tom Grill / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate job and a scam. There are even scams that involve recruiters contacting candidates by email or instant message. The person who tells you they have the perfect job for you could instead be a scammer. Carefully review all the job listings that come across your computer screen. Prepare for an Interview for an Online Job PeopleImages / Digital Vision / Getty Images It's as important to prepare for a work-at-home job interview as it is to prepare for an interview for a job where you will be working on-site. Before your interview, review work-at-home interview tips, the types of job interviews you may participate in, what to wear to an in-person job interview (if you need to attend one), and examples of interview questions and answers. Top 10 Jobs to Work Remotely Caiaimage/Paul Viant / Getty Images Do you need inspiration? Not sure what you could be doing? From social media promotion to ghostwriting, from editing to customer service, and a myriad of other options—you might be surprised how many different types of jobs are available on a remote basis. Many jobs that were traditionally done in an office are increasingly being done by remote employees or contractors working off-site. More Flexible Ways to Make Extra Money d3sign / Moment / Getty Images Besides working online, there are other opportunities to earn extra cash. Some of these are online jobs; others involve working on-site all or some of the time. They all provide a way to increase your earning potential and a way to have more flexibility while you work. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How can students get an online job to work from home? Students can get an online job the same way as anyone else. The only difference for students is that they may have to be aware of age restrictions. Young students may not qualify to hold jobs with many organizations, or they may not be allowed to work during the hours required for the job. How do you get an online job at home without making an investment? Employers shouldn't ask you for money in exchange for a job. When you get a new job, the employer is investing in you as a new employee. If you need to pay a fee to get hired, then the job may be a scam. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Department of Labor. "Selected State Child Labor Standards Affecting Minors Under 18 in Non-Farm Employment."