As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the concept of a remote job is becoming more prevalent. For many people, the idea of making a living without the need to physically show up to a traditional workplace is a tantalizing one. In Kenya, where unemployment rates are high, this is especially true for fresh college graduates who are looking for alternative ways to earn a living. Unfortunately, many people in rural and suburban areas may associate remote work with fraudulent “wash-wash” schemes. However, this is not the case. In this article, we will explore the various ways in which you can make money online by working remotely.
We will cover a range of topics from finding legitimate remote job opportunities to building a successful online business. Whether you are a recent college graduate or simply looking for a way to supplement your income, this article is for you.
How can you build skills necessary to get a remote job?
There is a common misconception that online jobs are synonymous with online Ponzi schemes. Additionally, some individuals may believe that the only successful online workers in Kenya are those involved in forex and cryptocurrency trading.
However, this is not the case. In reality, to secure an online remote job, one must possess a specific set of skills that are in demand by companies. These skills can be acquired through various online learning platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, and Skillshare, which offer certification upon completion of various learning modules.
It is important to note that while these opportunities may require a small investment in the learning phase, they are worthwhile investments in the long term. Here, we will explore various online learning opportunities and the skills that are in demand by companies and organizations outside of Kenya, which often offer better wage rates, to help you increase your chances of securing a remote online job.
1. Sign up for an online course
Building a particular skill set requires you to learn from professionals. Many online remote jobs are related to computers and technology and therefore, training for courses such as Cyber Security and Information Technology will be highly advantageous to you. Of course, if you already studied for this in university, you are good to go. All you need is to provide your potential employers with certification of your qualifications and wait for them to approve your employment.
Learning online is simple and quite affordable as compared to physical learning. All you need is good learning, a tuition fee and a good brain to grasp whatever is being taught. if you are serious about whatever you are studying, a typical course will take you between three to six months to complete. After that, you will be free to apply for a remote job.
Good online courses that attract solid employment include:
- Cyber Security and Programming in general
- Managerial Courses
- Accounting
- Brand and Marketing
- Data Analyst Courses
- IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate
- IT Support
- Google UX Designer Certificate
- PMI Project Management Professional
- Meta Front-End Developer Certificate
- Cloud computing and AWS/Azure/GCP
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Now that you know the top-ranking courses you should look into, let’s dive into the best places to learn and acquire these sets of skills.
- Coursera – This is one of the leading online learning platforms where you can acquire professional skills in a few months. Click HERE to view the platform and all its courses.
- Udemy – With courses starting from $13.99, Udemy may be the better option for you. Here are the courses offered.
- Skillshare – This platform is similar to Coursera and Udemy. Click HERE to view the courses.
Also read, 10 Best Loan Apps in Kenya Without CRB Clearance.
How to apply for a remote online job after completing the short online courses
After successfully completing your training and getting the necessary certificates, you will then need to apply for the necessary jobs online. For instance, if you studied “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning” you will do an online job search for this course and apply for all vacancies that show up on the first and second page of your search rankings.
You need to make sure that the emails you send have a copy of your certificate and that the email structure and grammar are appealing.
To learn how to write an application email, read this.
What is the general salary for working remotely?
Despite being a very broad question, remote workers are not regulated by the Kenyan wage system and therefore, you should expect a salary of more than $1,000 per month. Several established remote workers in the field of technology and business earn over $5,000 with others getting up to $20,000. It all depends on the country and policies of the company that has employed you.
What are the benefits of working remotely?
Working online remotely has several advantages that include:
- Increased flexibility and autonomy
- Reduced commuting time and costs
- Increased productivity
- The ability to work from any location
- Greater work-life balance
- Reduced office distractions
