Are you curious about working online as a college student? Remote work comes with many benefits, and getting an online job is easier than ever now, and working from home has become more common.
While many used to see working online as unconventional, today, it’s a fulfilling way to get into the career you want and can be a long-term option for many college students.
So if you want to avoid commuting to the office between classes, follow our guide to find the best online job for you!
Related: How to Work From Home: Guide for Teens
What Kind of Work Can You Do Online?
Online or virtual jobs offer the benefit of working from anywhere, but is this type of work right for you?
You might find it surprising that you can do a wide variety of jobs completely online, from teaching and tutoring to sales to technical and creative work.
More companies than ever are beginning to hire college students completely remotely, making it much easier to find an online job in your field than just a few years ago.
Almost any job you would typically be at an in-office desk for can be done remotely; when looking for an online job with Impressive Teens, check the “virtual option available” box. Or choose the remote option when searching on your favorite job boards!
Looking for virtual gap year programs, internships, or long-term positions? Your search starts here!
Which Online Jobs Are Best for College Students?
Some of the top online jobs for college students that pay well, are accessible, and fit into their lifestyle include:
- Content writer
- Web developer
- Data entry
- Customer service rep
- Medical transcription
- Virtual Assistant
- Computer programmer
- Bookkeeper
- Translator
- Social media manager
- Graphic designer
- Video Editor
- Teaching and tutoring
- Academic Coaching
- Virtual travel agent
- And many more!
Finding an online job used to be challenging, and even landing a role in a senior-level position wasn’t easy. Luckily, it’s much easier now! No matter what field you are in (or plan to go into), you’ll likely find an online position to help you further your career.
How to Find an Online Job
There are various ways to find an online job as a college student. Some options include:
- Doing freelance work: If you don’t want to be tied up by a set schedule, you can try freelance or consulting work; however, the money you make will be much more inconsistent than working in a part- or full-time position. Assess the skills you have and the kind of work you’d like to do, and start by trying some of the free freelance platforms (Fiverr, Upwork, etc.) to find your first jobs.
- Searching job boards: You can also search popular job boards like Indeed, browse through hiring companies on LinkedIn, or use specific sites like Impressive Teens that focus on helping teens and college students find the best opportunities. Don’t forget that you can also check your school’s local job boards!
- Networking: Another way to find the best online jobs is to reach out to your personal and professional network. Whether it’s past employers, professors, family friends, or anyone else, you can ask them if their companies have any virtual job openings in your area of expertise.
- Transitioning: If you have an in-office job, you might have some luck by starting a conversation with your manager about going remote in your position or switching to a more work-from-home-friendly role in the company.
Related: Fastest Growing Remote Jobs for Teens
Skills to Apply for an Online Job
For the most part, online employers want to see similar skills they look for when hiring for an in-office position—skills relevant to the specific role for which you want to apply. However, work-from-home positions also require some skills regardless of the industry you’re in, including time management, organization, and the ability to work with minimal micromanagement.
If you can show your potential employers that you have the skills needed to stay on task and on time when working online, you’ll be a step ahead of other candidates.
Employers also want to see that you’re passionate about their company and that your skills can translate to the role you apply for if it’s a position in which you have less experience.
How to Create a Resume for Online Jobs
Many college students want to work online—you’re looking right now, aren’t you? That means competition is fierce. Employers and companies hiring online want to see specific soft skills on your resume; here’s what to include to stand out:
- Quick learner: When applying for an online job, employers don’t want to spend more time than necessary on onboarding and training. Show them you can learn their systems quickly and with minimal time investment.
- Organized: Working online requires more organization than in-office jobs. There isn’t a supervisor or manager checking in with you at your desk to ensure you’re working on what’s needed right now!
- Detail-oriented: While attention to detail is crucial in any job, it’s even more important when working online. Catching mistakes often takes longer, so if you can make fewer by being a stickler for detail, you’re in a good spot to get the role over someone else.
- Collaborative: Communication and collaboration skills are essential for anyone who wants to work online. Collaborating with your colleagues is no longer as simple as taking a stroll to their desks—you have to proactively reach out to them!
- Accountable: You must accept responsibility for the things you do when working remotely, even more so than in traditional jobs. You’ll likely have more responsibilities, and you’ll have to stay on track while working from anywhere, which isn’t always easy.
You’ll also want to talk about your technical skills from past jobs, experiences, classes, etc. For example, if you have industry-specific skills, experience with managing people or projects, or experience with leading teams, list them on your resume!
Related: Best Summer Internships for College Students
Find the Best Online Jobs With Impressive Teens!
At Impressive Teens, we’re committed to bringing you the best activities, resources, and more! Whether it’s looking for the best online job, searching for scholarships, exploring internships, finding test prep advice, or anything else you might need help with, we’re here for you!
