Because of the pandemic, many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) had to return home after losing their jobs abroad.
Some OFWs, particularly those with savings, were able to bounce back from this by setting up small businesses.
Unfortunately, not all ex-OFWs are lucky enough to have emergency funds. To make matters worse, when they returned to the Philippines, there weren’t many work opportunities for ex-OFWs.
One alternative proposed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for ex-OFWs is home-based jobs. Many jobs are available for returning OFWs in this industry, especially those with a background in Information Technology (IT) and Administration.
But with so many online jobs available, which ones should you apply to? To answer this question, here are the nine best online jobs for Ex-OFWs.
Virtual Assistants.
One area where Filipino remote workers are always highly in-demand is virtual assistant jobs. These come in many forms, such as executive and general administrative virtual assistants.
But what they all share are the extent of their responsibilities. They’re responsible for handling client calls, managing their schedules, organizing files, booking their flight and hotels, etc.
Being a VA is perfect for ex-OFWs since all you need is a computer, stable internet connection, and excellent communication and administrative skills. None of these require a specific diploma, so you can apply for it no matter what course you took up in college.
Content Writers.
If you’re able to express yourself well through the written word, consider becoming a content writer.
As their name implies, content writers are responsible for producing content to direct traffic to their client’s website and other platforms. These could be in the form of articles, scripts, social media posts, and written advertisements.
One of the reasons why this is one of the best online jobs for ex-OFWs is the schedule flexibility. Depending on your arrangement with your client, so long as you submit your work on time, they don’t care when you start or end your shift.
This then gives you more time to run or manage a small business on the side.
And just like virtual assistants, becoming a content writer doesn’t require you to have a degree. So long as your writing skills are excellent, you can become a content writer.
English Tutor/Translator.
Another job that ex-OFW’s with good English proficiency is that of an online English tutor. There is a high demand for these tutors in East Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea, to help the students over there become more globally competitive.
If you’re familiar with another language besides English, another job you should consider is a translator. The primary tasks involve translating documents, video files, contracts, meeting minutes, and more from English to another language or vice versa.
Online Engineer.
Yes, you read that right. Thanks to modern applications such as AutoCAD 360, FingerCAD, HVAC Professional, Smart tools HD, and more, engineers can now work remotely.
Not only that, but the roles and responsibilities of a work from home engineer are identical to that of their office-based counterparts. The main difference is you’ll be doing virtual meetings instead of physical ones.
So, what makes this one of the best online jobs for ex-OFWs? Simple, it’s because engineering is one of the most popular OFW jobs.
Since the pandemic, many of these engineers have lost their jobs. Most online engineering jobs not only have similar, if not better rates, as on-site ones and don’t even require you to go out of the country.
Customer Service Representative.
If you’re new to remote work, a great starting point would be a customer service representative. This job involves very reasonable requirements; in most cases, you won’t even need a degree.
And when you do get hired and require additional skills, your client will often provide the necessary training.
As a CSR, you’d be responsible for handling incoming customer calls, generating leads, maintaining a record of customer interactions, accounts, and other relevant information, as well as processing and troubleshooting customer complaints so you can form a satisfactory resolution.
Social Media Manager.
For those who can’t keep their eyes off social media, why not turn your addiction into a job? Since many companies today have a social media page, they require professionals to manage these accounts and plan new marketing campaigns.
If you have a background in marketing and know your way around social media platforms, becoming a social media manager might be the job for you. Your primary task, just like with any other marketer, is to engage your target audience to become loyal customers.
But what if you don’t have a background in marketing? Can you still become a social media manager? Yes, you still can.
As long as you possess a bit of writing and Photoshop skills, are familiar with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and know how to engage your target audience, you should do just fine.
Graphic Designer.
For ex-OFWs with an artistic bent, a career as a graphic designer might suit you.
A graphic designer’s primary role is to produce quality images for ads, articles, social media posts, etc. They also assist with web development by helping design the website’s layout and may even being tasked to edit videos for their clients.
To become a great graphic designer, you’ll need to be proficient in using programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and possess plenty of creativity and initiative.
Data Entry Specialist.
One of the more popular home-based jobs for beginners that should be on your radar are data entry jobs. This is one of the best online jobs for ex-OFWs because you don’t need much training to do it.
True, some data entry jobs may require specialized knowledge in a particular field, such as medicine or law. But those are the exception rather than the rule.
All you need are attention to detail, a decent typing speed, research skills, and sufficient trouble-shooting skills.
Software Developer.
For programmers, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to leave the country to find great job opportunities. Many companies today need virtual software developers to help them develop and test software for theirs and their customers’ use.
Here, you’ll be responsible for developing, testing, and implementing new software programs, designing and updating databases, analyzing root causes of system issues, and many more.
And since you’ll be working with foreign clients, you can also be paid foreign rates. And you won’t even need to leave the country.
Work From Home Opportunities for Our Bagong Bayanis.
For many of our OFWs, their work abroad is vital to giving their families here a better life. After all, jobs abroad pay better, and cam even open up the opportunity for you and your family to immigrate.
That’s why the pandemic was such a massive blow to them. How can they support their families now that they’ve lost their primary employment?
Fortunately, the pandemic also made remote work popular. So, it’s possible for ex-OFWs to work for rates that are similar to what they used to earn abroad without having to leave their loved ones. And the above-mentioned online jobs are the best for ex-OFWs new to remote work.
So if you want to start applying for online jobs, sign up at Remote Staff. Our jobs list has a wide range of available positions for you to choose from, ensuring you’ll never run out of options.
Good luck!
