How do I find a part-time, remote job now that my child is starting school?

Dear Grace,

I’m a stay-at-home mom; my child starts school next year. My spouse and I have one vehicle that he takes to commute to work and back. I want to work as well with the extra free time I’ll have. Are there any resources for finding legitimate work-at-home jobs? I’ve searched quite a few, and they all seem to come out to be not legit or wanting money up front. How can I know when remote work is real or a scam? It’s hard to tell what is true and what is a dupe.

Can you help me, please? I need to make money from home, but how do I know what is real, especially on social media?

– Wanting to Work, Wadsworth

Dear Wanting to Work,

First of all, congrats on surviving the toddler years! Your child starting school isn’t just new for them, it’s a new chapter for your whole family and your journey as parents. Your question reflects what I hear from loads of readers (both parents and non-parents) every week—that it’s hard to find legitimate opportunities to provide for your family and still show up at home the way you need to. It may seem like an uphill climb, but I have some advice to help you jump-start the job search:  

Working from home has brought more people into the workforce.

Before the pandemic, working from home was the exception, not the rule. One good thing to come out of that very dark time is that there are way more opportunities to work from home, which means way more skills in the workforce. Folks who wouldn’t have been able to go to the office before—parents, caretakers, immunocompromised people, folks with disabilities—are now able to offer their unique and valuable skills to help our economy grow. This change is something our grandparents’ generation could never have dreamed of!

You’re right, there are a lot of scams out there.

I have gotten plenty of messages on Facebook from well-meaning acquaintances or classmates from high school trying to rope me into a multi-level marketing scheme. They are excited about their new sales job and usually don’t realize they are getting taken advantage of. As moms, internet scams and pyramid schemes can look so perfect for us at first, with promises of making your own hours and being your own boss, but anything that requires you to pay money to work is a trap. A good rule of thumb to follow is: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here is a list of common work-from-home scams and how to spot them

Set aside some time to start your remote career.

This is such an exciting chapter! Now that you know how to avoid scams, it’s time to find the perfect job for you. Like any big change, finding the right job for this new era of motherhood will require some work, but as a mom, it’s nothing you can’t handle.

• Reflect on your skills: Childcare, budgeting for the household, and administrative tasks like managing appointments or calendars are all skills that being a mom has given you. Spend some time thinking about what you’re best at or most interested in. Do you love math? Maybe assisting an accountant would be a great fit! Did you love teaching your child how to read? Maybe tutoring or substitute teaching! Check out more remote job types here.
• Put together a LinkedIn profile: Now that you have a list of skills, put together a resume and a LinkedIn profile, and start writing a cover letter that answers the questions “Who are you?” and “What are you looking for in your next job?” Here is a great resource for how to show your work as a stay-at-home mom on a traditional job resume.
• Research before you apply: Now that you have your materials ready, spend time on established, vetted job platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter looking for remote job opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for scams (they can happen anywhere, but are less likely on those platforms) and always learn more about a company before you give them any of your personal information.

You’ve got this, Wanting to Work! The job market is tough, but you’re tougher. For more advice on how to find a new career, revamp your resume, or make a little extra money, check out the “Money & Work” section on the Dear Grace website. And if you’d like to apply for In Focus, we hold paid focus groups on Zoom. Participants are paid $100 to be honest about topics like motherhood, safety, and how to be a good neighbor.

No matter where your job search takes you next, we’re rooting for you!

Love, 

Grace