How Can I Work From Home as a Mentor?

There’s no denying the convenience and flexibility of working from home (WFH) has become increasingly popular. More people than ever want the ability to work remotely and not have to carry out an arduous commute.

The potential for revolutionising the structure of companies is limitless and full of exciting possibilities, including the creation of new flexible and part time WFH jobs. The COVID-19 outbreak made people realise that being physically present in the workplace wasn’t necessary for running a business efficiently.

If you’re wondering ‘how can I work from home and enjoy that flexibility?’ – from almost any location on the planet, there’s a vast array of remote job openings available that cater to various skill sets and levels of experience. No need to worry – you’ll surely come across a job that matches your skills and passions.

What Work Can I Do From Home?

If you’re looking to earn some extra income while at home, we’ve compiled a list of jobs that you can do. Most of these can either be full-time or part-time WFH jobs:

1. Freelance Writing

If you’ve got exceptional writing skills, you can make a decent living as a freelance writer. You can easily work on writing tasks like crafting articles, blog posts, social media posts or website content all from the convenience of your home. You can unleash your creativity and tailor your pitches or applications to each opportunity, showcasing your relevant experience and convincing the client why you’re the perfect match for the project. This is also a low-start-up-costs business. You only need a computer and an internet connection. As long as you have the writing chops!

2. Virtual Assistant

Many businesses need help with administrative tasks. As a virtual assistant, you’ll support your boss (or an entirely new business) remotely by managing emails, scheduling appointments, booking reservations and handling other administrative responsibilities. You can even work with several clients at a time. You need to be organised, and be able to organise other people. Another relatively low-cost start-up opportunity.
A perfect WFH job if you love being organised.

3. Online Tutoring

This is quite similar to traditional teaching. If you excelled in a particular subject in school, you can help students who have trouble in the subject by offering tutoring services online. You can teach your classes through an online platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Ideal for people looking for part time WFH jobs that give them more time at home with their own kids.

4. Graphic Design

As a graphic designer, you can work remotely from the comfort of your own home if you possess a creative flair and a keen eye for design. The opportunities are endless: you have the option to market your own creations or provide freelance services.

Everywhere you see pretty pictures or graphics that enhance a printed brochure or a document – that was a Graphic Designer at work. Another relatively low-cost option – although you will have to pay for some software and a decent PC/Mac.

5. Social Media Manager

If you’ve ever wondered ‘how can I work from home and get paid to spend time on social media?’, this is probably your ideal job. Businesses need to use social media to advertise their products or services, so if you have social media strategy knowhow, this can be a lucrative remote job. Business social media accounts are managed on most of the leading platforms, includingLinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest.

6. Customer Service

Some companies hire remote customer service representatives because companies will always need human support to make sure their customers are satisfied. You can check freelancing platforms for customer service jobs or try it all out on your own if you can. There are some businesses that only hire remote customer service reps. Often, you’ll need to download third party software, and they sometimes insist on a certain level of specification for your laptop or PC.

7. Project Management

If you have a thing for organising and making sure people get their job done, you would do pretty well as a project manager. Reach out to a local business or to start-ups that could really use your help. LinkedIn is also a great place to look for Project Manager jobs. It goes without saying though, this is not one of those jobs you can just ‘decide’ to do. People looking to employ work from home Project Managers will certainly be looking for some form of qualification and experience.

The good news is, most industries will need project managers.

8. Mentoring

Remote mentor jobs offer an opportunity to connect with diverse individuals, foster professional growth and build meaningful relationships. By leveraging technology and adopting effective communication techniques, mentoring can be just as impactful and prosperous as traditional in-person mentoring.

Working from home as a mentor is perhaps the ultimate win/win part time WFH job. You feel good for helping other people, while also striking a better work/life balance for yourself.

The Lowdown On Remote Mentor Jobs

Working from home gives you the flexibility to pursue your passion for mentoring. You can share your knowledge and skills with others by identifying your areas of expertise. Let others benefit from your expertise by mentoring them in specific subjects, skills or job roles. Whatever industry you’ve excelled in (except perhaps… …chimney sweeping) there’s someone coming up behind you who would relish the opportunity to learn from you.

Virtual mentoring can be equally as effective as in-person mentoring, and in certain instances, it surpasses it. Rest assured, virtual meetings have become the norm and there’s no need to worry about it. The concept of virtual mentoring is not really new, but has become more widespread since everyone learned how to Zoom.

What Is Virtual Mentoring?

Virtual mentoring is a modern approach to mentoring that allows mentors and mentees to connect and collaborate through digital platforms, eliminating the need for in-person meetings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world turned to video and phone calls as the go-to method for communication. This shift to virtual communication proved to be a surprisingly effective and enjoyable way to connect with others.

Benefits of Remote Mentor Jobs

More people are beginning to work from home or have hybrid roles and this means virtual mentoring is the best choice for them, but that isn’t the only great thing about it; remote mentor jobs have some awesome benefits of their own:

No Restrictions

Thanks to virtual mentoring, mentors and mentees can now build meaningful connections no matter where they’re located. The flexibility allows for mentoring relationships to flourish, even when distance or travel limitations would normally make it difficult. Mentors or mentees can be in Manchester, Morecambe, Milton Keynes, Mumbai or midwest Montana.

More Time Efficient

Attending a video call for an hour from home is more effective than commuting to a location to meet with a mentee during the day. With remote mentor jobs, you can say goodbye to the hassle of moving from one physical space to another. You can devote your valuable time to the essential aspects of helping mentees achieve success. If you only have to switch between sessions from the comfort of your own home, it stands to reason you can fit in more mentoring sessions than if you were travelling to see people face-to-face.

Flexibility

Virtual mentoring provides increased convenience when it comes to arranging mentoring sessions. Both mentors and mentees have the flexibility to schedule meetings at a time that works best for them, regardless of their location. The adaptability of this approach allows for better time management and guarantees that mentoring meetings can be arranged at mutually convenient times. It also means you can mentor people anywhere in the world – as long as they have an internet connection.

Less Social Pressure

Having an in-person encounter can be nerve-racking for some. It could be anxiety, low self-esteem – anything. Virtual mentoring can provide a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere for mentors and mentees by reducing social pressure. When it comes to discussing sensitive or personal topics, virtual mentoring can ease some social anxiety and safety concerns.

Cost Effectiveness

Did you know that virtual mentoring can save you a lot of money compared to traditional in-person mentoring? Cutting down on travel, accommodation, and meeting expenses is a major advantage. With limited budgets, remote mentor jobscan be more accessible and sustainable. Whether you’re looking to mentor individuals or teams, not having to worry about parking, hotels, food and sustenance is definitely cheaper and less stressful. Plus, your carbon footprint will be lower, and the planet will thank you too.

How Can I Work From Home as a Mentor Efficiently?

Running virtual mentoring sessions at home is easier than you think. You just have to prepare. Here are some other tips:

1. Set Up a Dedicated Workspace

Create a comfortable and quiet space in your home where you can set up your virtual meeting station. Make sure it’s well-lit and free from distractions. Creating a serene and focused atmosphere is key to productivity, so be sure to optimise your lighting and minimise any background noise that could potentially disrupt your concentration. Try as best as you can to use a dedicated desk and office chair, especially if you’re going to make remote or virtual mentoring a full-time job.

2. Opt for Appropriate Communication Platforms

Pick dependable and easy-to-use communication platforms for remote mentoring. There are various alternatives available for communication, such as video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, messaging applications, email or specialised mentoring platforms. Make sure that the selected tools are familiar and convenient for both you and your mentee.

If you take on remote mentor jobs via Career Navig8r, your virtual mentoring sessions are handled through the platform, taking away one of those considerations!

3. Get Your Mentoring Materials Ready

Prepare yourself for successful mentoring sessions by gathering all the necessary materials, resources and documents beforehand. You’ll have access to a wealth of resources, such as informative articles, real-life case studies, insightful industry reports and handy templates. Make sure to provide your mentee with these materials beforehand or keep them easily accessible during your sessions.

4. Plan Your Mentoring Schedule

Pick the best time for your virtual sessions. Think about your mentee’s schedule and any time zone differences before you set a time. Establishing a crystal-clear understanding of how often you’ll meet, how long your sessions will last and the importance of being on time will help you make the most of your time with your mentee.

Top Tips for Virtual Mentoring

• Be totally in your mentoring zone during your mentoring sessions. It’s very easy to get distracted and that’s why we suggest creating a dedicated workspace in your home for your sessions.
• Set clear expectations and goals right from the start to ensure that you and your mentee are on the same page and working towards a common objective.
• Show that you’re actively listening to them by nodding, reacting and asking follow-up questions.
• Everybody has a preferred style of communication. Find out what your mentee likes and stay in touch. Whether it’s video calls, emails or chats, keep the conversation flowing.
• Make yourself presentable on virtual calls. No, you don’t have to wear a suit, but it doesn’t mean you should wear pyjamas.
• Be comfortable and respectful.
• Make sure to give your mentee the recognition they deserve by acknowledging and celebrating their achievements and milestones, no matter how big or small.

How To Find Remote Mentor Jobs

There are lots of ways to find remote mentor jobs. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn are a great place to look for mentoring opportunities, and a great place to find mentees. If you want to keep it local, there’s probably a Facebook page where you can advertise your services too. Professional networking events are also a good place to potentially find clients for your new mentoring business – although it somewhat takes the ‘remote’ out of remote mentoring.

If you’d prefer to have a steady supply of mentees looking for you, and your exact skills, with no need to advertise yourself or attend networking meetings, you can make yourself available for remote mentor jobs at Career Navig8r.