Author: Niharika Sondhi

  • What is freelancing and how does it work?

    Freelancing jobs are growing rapidly, all because of the ever-increasing needs of the companies to outsource or contract the core or non-core activities at a really low cost. Even the individuals freelance the non-substantive activities. Many websites have given a platform to companies to search for remote workers online and freelancers to respond to more than one client simultaneously. 

    Freelancing is emerging as the most suitable option both for the clients and workers. For the clients, it is easy to freelance the non-core activities and focus on the major areas to discover new opportunities. Freelancing can be a great start for those who want to begin or restart their career and gain work experience. 

    Here you will get to know all about Freelancing, its pros and cons, types of freelance jobs, and the websites that offer freelancing services

    What is freelancing?

    Freelancing is contracting out the core and non-core activities of the business with the help of remote workers, who are experts in their fields. These workers are generally self-employed and are therefore contracted by the company. The jobs that can be freelanced depend upon their nature, such as graphic designing, blogging, web development, etc. 

    Who is a freelancer?

    freelancer is a self-employed person who takes on multiple client orders at the same time. While freelancers perform significant activities for the companies or organizations, they are called contractors and not employees. Freelancer is an expert in his field and hence executes the important and non-core tasks for the company.

    What are the pros and cons of Freelancing?

    As every coin has two sides, Freelancing also has its own merits and demerits, which should be considered before opting for freelancing to earn money and get services done at a relatively cheaper cost.

    Pros of Freelancing

    Freelancing offers many benefits for both freelancers and clients. 

    1. The work is completed at a relatively lower cost through Freelancing. Usually, the freelancers charge depending on the nature of work and the number of pending orders. But it is much less than hiring an employee. 
    1. Freelancers get a higher degree of flexibility than employees. There are comparatively fewer time boundations or deadlines for the freelancers. 
    1. Freelancers get to work in their comfort. They are not bound to work in offices or attend conferences and meetings. Instead, they work in comfortable night suits with a coffee mug.
    1. Freelancing does not involve a supervisor and does not require reporting to a senior. In Freelancing, you are your own boss. 

    Cons of Freelancing

    Some demerits of Freelancing are as below:

    1. The nature of freelancing jobs is irregular. At one point, you are busy with numerous orders, and the other time you will not get a single order. 
    1. Freelancers don’t enjoy the benefits that an office employee gets, such as normal salary, medical, retirement, disability benefits, etc.
    1. Freelancers don’t get to work in a dynamic office environment with colleagues and employers. They are clueless about coping up with the challenges in the offices. 
    1. Freelancers don’t have a stable income. Moreover, unlike an employee, they have to fund their equipment.

    The above mentioned are the advantages and disadvantages of opting for freelancing as a career.

    What are the skills that a freelancer should possess?

    Freelancing is not easy-peasy. It demands some skills and dexterity that need to be possessed by freelance workers. Here are some skills that will land you to the high-valued gigs and establish you in this expanding industry. 

    1. Communication skills– An excellent communication skill will land you the best client orders. You have to communicate with the clients and understand their requirements. Hence it should be done efficiently.
    1. Marketing skills– Digital Marketers are required by the clients to handle their social media accounts and improve their SEO ranking. Those who can communicate with the prospects and retain the current customers by their effective communication skills and induce creativity to attract new customers have their career set in this field.
    1. Writing skills– Those who are willing to work as freelance writers must possess the writing skills to engage more people and receive more client invitations.
    1. Strong Portfolio– Designing your portfolio is the foremost step of kickstarting your career in Freelancing. A strong portfolio base attracts the attention of big businesses and companies.
    1. Consistency and accuracy– A freelancer, should be consistent and has a rational approach towards the problems.

    What types of freelance jobs can I do?

    There are numerous high-paying jobs in India suitable for freelancers. Many of these jobs do not even demand any qualification or degree. 

    The below mentioned are the types of freelance jobs:

    1. Designing– Graphic Designing such as Logo Designing, Brochure Designing, etc., and Web Designing is a perfect job to kickstart your freelancing career. Many companies, organizations and even individuals such as online content creators freelance the designing work. 
    1. Copywriting– Article Writing, Blog Writing, Feature Writing and writing Press Releases have become an important domain for a company’s marketing. As content is the king, a content writer is highly demanded these days.
    1. Marketing– Digital Marketing or Online Marketing that comprises Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing etc. has gained popularity in the gig economy over the past few years. This includes managing the social media handles of the companies, producing SEO content, searching prospective customers and maintaining current customers.
    1. Developer– Web Development, Computer Programming and Coding has an exciting career base in today’s world. Various client requests are received for programming and coding, and it is still growing in the gig economy. Most companies prefer freelancers with a strong portfolio and complete knowledge of JAVA, JAVASCRIPT, and other coding languages.
    1. Videography– If making videos and creating attractive and engaging content interests you, then this one’s for you. Individuals and businesses significantly demand videographers for creating and editing appealing videos and presentations. 
    1. Translation– With the evolution of big MNCs, many companies are looking for excellent translators. This type of freelance job involves fluency in English and any foreign language.
    1. Accounting– Accounting and Bookkeeping are the jobs that are freelanced by the businesses. These freelancing jobs require freelance workers who are qualified with a bachelor’s degree in the related field. 

    What are the websites that provide a freelance marketplace?

    The freelance marketplace offers a common platform for both freelancers and companies. Companies lookout for freelancers through these websites called a freelance marketplace. Many websites offer freelance services in India, such as Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, Toptal, Guru, 99designs, WorknHire etc. 

    What is the scope of freelancing in India?

    Freelancing is a flourishing career in India. It is said to give much better returns than the regular nine-to-five job. It is expected to grow manifold within the coming years. Freelancing is an excellent career choice. Except that, in the beginning, it becomes difficult to search for clients, but as soon as you establish yourself in the freelance domain, you will be paid for your skills. Freelancers are paid based on their skills and the nature of work performed by them. In India, an average freelancer earns INR 400 to INR 500 on an hourly basis. 

    Conclusion

    Freelancing can be a perfect career option if all the pros and cons are considered. The aspiring freelancer has communication skills, organizational skills, and an analytical approach towards the problems. India is witnessing a flourishing career in Freelancing.

    Questions

    1. What type of jobs are contracted out or freelancing?

    The freelanced jobs involve Digital Marketing, Copywriting, Accounting and Bookkeeping, Graphic Designing, Web Designing, Computer Programming, Web Development, Coding, Online Support, Videography, Translation and varied jobs are freelance.

    2. What are the functions of freelance websites?

    Freelance websites provide a common platform to companies and freelancers and help design attractive portfolios for aspiring freelancers. These websites enable companies to get the best freelancers for their work.

  • Jobs for people who don’t like people

    The idea of communicating or being around people at the workplace may not be feasible to many. Some people prefer to work in solitude. For many people, working around others lowers their productivity to a great extent. To interact or work with others can be daunting and grueling for them.

    If you are antisocial, introverted, or someone who doesn’t love to be around people and crave jobs that don’t involve interaction with colleagues, customers, or seniors, you are at the right place. Here you will get to know why there is a need for remote and solitude jobs, some of the jobs for socially anxious people with a handsome amount in return, qualifications necessary for such jobsentry-level jobswork from home jobs and non-customer jobs, along with the salary offered for such jobs. 

    Why is it necessary to get a job that involves the least collaboration with others?

    For many people, the idea of a job that involves dealing with seniors, clients or colleagues can be crippling and debilitating. People who don’t like other people may not necessarily be introverted. Just the fact that dealing or collaborating with others may reduce their efficiency and may not provide them a rich working experience. Many are introverted, misanthrope, socially anxious, and not a people person. For them, there is a need to search for jobs that can give them excellent career opportunities without upsetting their bank balance.

    What are some jobs for people who don’t like people?

    Some of the job options for people who don’t like people are given below:

    1. Software Development Engineer– A Software Engineer job involves research and evaluation of the software system, developing existing software, identifying and analyzing the deviations. A perfect job for those who want to earn a handsome amount and don’t want to be near people. A necessary qualification for becoming a lead software development engineer is a master’s degree in information technology and complete knowledge of programming languages( C++, JAVA, etc. The average salary of a Software Development Engineer in India ranges from INR 11 lakh per annum to INR 14 lakh per annum.
    1. Auditor– An Auditor’s job involves reviewing the company’s accounts, checking whether the company’s financial statements are not manipulated, and advising companies on effective financial management and risk reduction. This job involves some degree of interaction, but most of the time will be spent alone. The qualifications necessary to land an auditor’s job are a master’s degree in accountancy, a certificate of association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or any other relevant institute that qualifies the person as an auditor or preferably an MBA in finance. The average salary in India ranges from INR 5 lakh per annum to INR 7 lakh per annum.
    1. Research Analyst– Research Analysis is a growing job in India and is among the most demanded professions these days. A Research Analyst analyses and interprets the data related to finance, accounting, taxation and economics. Except for some formal interaction with the seniors or clients, the research analysts enjoy their own company most of the time. A master’s degree is preferred for being a qualified research analyst, along with a stronghold of market research skills. The salary of a research analyst in India ranges from INR 4 lakh per annum to INR 6 lakh per annum. 
    1. Online Support Person– There is an upsurge in Online Support jobs after the advent of work from home culture. The primary job of this kind revolves around resolving customer issues and problems. An Online Support Person is entrusted with the task of solving customer queries and complaints regarding the products via calls or emails and is responsible for ensuring that the customer is satisfied with the product or service. Some communication skills should be present in a customer representative in order to deal effectively with the customers, but it is mostly an online job which does not require much interaction. Besides, there are no educational qualifications in this field, and the salary in India ranges from INR 2.5 lakh per annum to INR 4.5 lakh per annum.
    1. Technical Writer– A Technical Writer maintains documents relating to software, systems operation, revises them and prepare the documents after gathering details from different sources. This is the most suitable job for the people who don’t like people, and those who are fascinated by computer science, web designing and have a bachelor’s degree in this field. The average salary of a technical writer in India is INR 5 lakh per annum. 
    1. Actuary– Actuarial Accounting is a field that does not require much communication and also offers a high salary. Actuarial Accountants are responsible for cost reduction and risk management by way of actuarial analysis that involves statistical and financial information. An actuary is concerned with economics and statistics. To become a certified actuarial accountant, a bachelor’s degree in statistics or any other related field is preferred, along with an actuarial examination. The average salary of an actuarial accountant in India ranges from INR 9 lakh per annum to INR 10 lakh per annum. 
    1. Surveyor– A Land Surveyor performs estimations relating to the measurement of land and marks the boundaries belonging to the public and government bodies. They are responsible for computing the sizes and proportions of the sites. A Surveyor spends most of the time measuring and defining the land area meant for various purposes such as developmental work by public and private bodies. The prominent characteristic of a surveyor is accuracy or giving attention to details. Surveyors need a bachelor’s degree and work experience of at least four years to gain a survey license. The average salary of a land surveyor in India is INR 4 lakh per annum. 

    What are the entry-level jobs for introverted or socially anxious people?

    Entry-level jobs are necessary to gain work experience, improving the chances of getting better work positions. These jobs pay a little less than permanent full-time work positions. For those who don’t like to work with others, finding these jobs is not difficult. Some entry-level jobs are Data Entry, Social Media Marketing, Graphic Designing, Internal Auditor, Digital Marketing, Content Writing. Many entry-level jobs don’t require any degree or qualification, such as Gardening, Night Security, Dog Walking, Baby Sitting, Car Detailing, Photography, Sanitation, Janitoring, Delivery Driving/Cab Driving, etc.

    How can work from home help solitude lovers?

    Work from home jobs is increasing at a fast pace, especially after the advent of COVID. The year 2020 recorded an all-time high in the number of work from home job positions. As it does not require communicating or interacting directly with the authorities, colleagues, and clients, work from home is a viable alternative for solitude or remote job lovers. Some examples of work from home jobs are Social Media Management, Graphic Designing, Content Writing, Freelance Accounting, Digital Marketing, Medical Transcription etc.

    What are non-customer jobs?

    Non-customer service or non-client jobs are those where the interaction with the customers is little or nothing at all. For people who don’t like to deal directly with the customers, these are the most suitable jobs. Some examples are Medical Transcription, Data Entry, Laboratory Technician, Copywriting, Blogging, Technical Writing etc. 

    What are some other examples of the job positions meant for people who don’t like people?

    Here are some examples:

    Custodian, Veterinary Technician, Medical Coder, Paralegal, Research Scientist, Computer Programming, Horticulturist, Robotics Engineer, Document Management Specialist, Postal Delivery person, Zoologist, Statistician, Agricultural Equipment Operator, Archivist, Court Reporter and Tax Accountant.

    Conclusion

    If you find yourself uncomfortable around people and the thought of working around people scares you, then the above mentioned jobs are just perfect for you. The right qualification and consistency will also be helpful for you to get a job in your comfort with big paychecks.

    Questions

    What are some examples of people who don’t like people?

    Some of the jobs are Software Engineer, Actuary, Research Analyst, Statistician, Surveyor, Zoologist, Horticulturist, Robotics Engineer, Laboratory Technician, Medical Transcription, Auditor, Tax Accountant, Computer Programmer and Document Management Specialist.

    What are the upcoming work from home jobs?

    Work from home jobs that are most demanded these days are Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Management, Content Writing, Blogging, Graphic Designing, Web Development, Freelance Accounting, etc.

  • Virtual Assistant : What they do?

    Virtual Assistant is emerging as a most demanded profession these days when work from home is dominating the traditional workspace. Virtual jobs have taken a toll over the traditional offices when the whole world is going digital. When the offices were closed during the lockdown, businesses relied on online marketers and content creators to advertise their products and services. The Virtual Assistant jobs in India recorded a significant increase in 2021. Here you can get to know everything about this upcoming profession.

    What is Virtual Assistance?

    Virtual Assistance means supporting and facilitating the work of a client from a remote location.

    It focuses on assisting the client and helping them do the important and priority tasks on an urgent basis.

    Freelancing work such as blog writing, content writing, graphic designing, administrative work and Telecalling are some of the jobs that a virtual assistant helps to perform on a priority basis as they have the expertise in their fields.

    Who is a Virtual Assistant?

    A Virtual Assistant is an independent worker who has an online presence and is specialized to perform the tasks such as digital marketing, Telecalling, maintaining records, graphic designing, and so on.

    Virtual assistants offer freelancing services to clients and help them to prioritize their work. They are specialized to perform particular tasks online.

    What are the necessary qualifications for becoming a Virtual Assistant?

    There are specific qualifications for some jobs online, for instance, web development, administrative work, maintaining bulk records, accounting, personal Assistance, operations and HR-related work require graduates with work experience for high-level jobs. Other jobs such as email marketing, cold – calling, social media marketing, blog writing and graphic designing demand people with necessary expertise and may prefer freshers.

    What are the skills possessed by a Virtual Assistant?

    The necessary skills which are required to offer virtual assistance services are as below:

    1. Communication skills– The candidate should have the necessary skills to communicate with the clients and understand their requirements. Both oral and written communication skills are considered to select a candidate for a virtual assistant job.

    2. Proficiency in English- This is a very important requirement for landing a job as a virtual assistant, such as a blog writer or a content writer. These days everyone is in need of a person who is eloquent and has excellent English proficiency.

    3. Online marketing- These jobs search for people who have an active online presence. Those who can gain prospective customers by offering digital marketing or social media marketing services are preferred.

    4. Creativity- The candidate who can generate ideas for the company’s success and implement them creatively can get hired for major work positions in reputed organizations. Graphic designing and web development jobs require a creative application.

    5. Well-versed in a foreign language- These days, even Indian companies are looking for those who have practiced and adept in a foreign language. Work from home translator jobs is coming up nowadays.

    6. Expert in computer languages- For IT-related jobs, the candidate needs to possess computer skills and should have knowledge of computer and programming languages such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python and many others. A degree in this field will be a plus point.

    7. Critical and objective thinking- This is a must-have quality for every person applying for virtual assistant positions. Someone who can make informed decisions and think keeping all the consequences in mind deserves this post.

    8. Will to learn- As learning is gaining, every other organization looks for someone who is willing to learn and give a shot to new things and gain new experiences.

    Apart from the above-mentioned skills and specializations, the candidate must also be self-disciplined and motivated to take the initiative and can work in a dynamic environment.

    What are the types of Virtual Assistant jobs?

    A Virtual Assistant’s job is home-based and only requires a laptop, an internet connection and some useful tools to provide administrative and support services to the client. They can be hired on different basis such as Internships, Part-time jobs, Full-time jobs, Freelancing and so on.

    Following are the types of Virtual Assistant jobs:

    1. Virtual Research Analyst- Research Analysis, Portfolio Analysis, Technical Analysis are some of the jobs which are widely performed virtually.

    2. Virtual Marketer- They are in high demand these days. Jobs such as Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Facebook and Instagram Marketing are emerging as one of the priority jobs in the country.

    3. Content Writer- It is also a high-demanded job. SEO Content Writing is coming up as an important virtual assistance job nowadays. Companies are hiring skillful content or blog writers for work from home jobs.

    4. Data Entry Virtual Assistant- People are appointed for virtual jobs that involve maintaining records and statistics. MS Excel and Spreadsheets are some basic requirements for these types of jobs.

    5. Virtual Administrative Assistant- The job of a Virtual Administrative Assistant includes administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings and conferences, preparing reports and managing social media accounts for overall efficiency. For this job position, a person who can make decisions effectively without any delays is suitable.

    6. Virtual Bookkeeping Assistant- If you are looking for job posts that require maintaining data of the expenses of a business, then this one’s for you. A Virtual Bookkeeper is required to prepare necessary ledger accounts, Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets for the business and ensure that all customers have received invoices for the transactions. Virtual Bookkeeping Assistants facilitate timely and accurate preparation and maintenance of business accounts so that analysis can be done and the profitability of the business can be judged.

    7. eCommerce Virtual Assistant- An eCommerce Virtual Assistant helps to maintain the accounts of the online suppliers, update inventories, maintain databases and statistics, upload product images, realizing orders, computing returns, handling customer complaints, and bookkeeping. This type of job involves multitasking, and hence the candidate needs to have adequate contacts to diversify the products to be sold and should be sufficiently trained and experienced to maintain product bills and manifestos.

    8. Real Estate Virtual Assistant- A type of Virtual Assistant job that revolves around uploading property clicks and handling social media accounts, along with maintaining records and making appealing presentations.

    What is the salary of a Virtual Assistant?

    The salary and perks of a Virtual Assistant depend upon the qualifications and specializations, along with the work experience. Some of the other factors which influence the performance and salary are confidence, determination and versatility of the work done by the candidate. In India, a Virtual Assistant may earn INR 250-INR 450 per hour, and the average salary per month is INR 25,000. The perks include Certificates and Letters of Recommendation for interns and weekend holidays. Many organizations also provide training to the candidates, which also helps them in the future.

    Which businesses appoint Virtual Assistant?

    Many companies appoint Virtual Assistants to outsource non-core activities. Even the top companies are in search of web developers, digital marketers, blog writers, and bookkeepers.

    Amazon requires Virtual Assistants for marketing, content creation, customer support, and many other activities. Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa are some examples of top virtual assistants.

    Virtual Assistants can also create an account on freelance websites and provide their services. Some top freelance websites in India are Fiverr, Freelancer, Upwork, 99designs, Worknhire and Toptal.

    Some of the best Virtual Assistant companies in India are Brickwork India, Hub staff Talent and Webcentre.

    Conclusion

    Virtual Assistant jobs are rising at a rapid pace in the country, and they will dominate in the future. Almost every startup or venture is looking out for virtual and technical assistants to outsource some core and non-core activities. These jobs are suitable for a person who has an active online presence and is efficient in handling multiple tasks.

    Questions

    1. What are the main areas of Virtual Assistance?

    The main areas around which a Virtual Assistant job revolves are online marketing, content creation, maintaining records and statistics, technical Assistance, research analysis, portfolio analysis, ecommerce, real estate and so on.

    2. What are the functions of a Virtual Assistant?

    Virtual Assistants are required to have excellent communication skills as the most important requirement. Apart from that, they are also required to have an active online presence, marketing skills, ability to multitask, creativity and should always be willing to learn.