Seven Hot Work-From-Home Jobs

July 13, 2010 — -- Employers cut 125,000 jobs last month and 625,000 of the unemployed simply gave up their job search, according to the Department of Labor. Since the recession began, there are approximately 8 million fewer private sector jobs. So what are people to do? Why not beat the system and create your own job -- at home.

That's right. Independent contractors, freelancers, consultants and micro-businesses comprise a burgeoning market segment as people who are tired of waiting for the job market to bounce back take the bull by the horns and create their own job opportunities. With the aid of technology, these survivalist entrepreneurs are finding there is hope even in a bleak economy.

Here's my hot list of work-from-home jobs.

Graphic Designer. The great thing about technology is you can do work for anyone via the Internet and never have to meet them face-to-face. Recently, using the website elance.com I was able to get a new logo designed for a television show I'm launching. I outlined the scope of work and indicated the maximum amount I was willing to pay for the project. Proposals came from all around the world, but I ultimately selected a woman business owner from Ohio. She had an excellent feedback rating on the site, so I felt comfortable working with her. The job was completed in about two weeks and I never met her. She told me elance.com has helped her build her business so she can work from home while raising two children.