Virtual Assistant

The work: Ten years ago, this job didn’t exist. Today, however, demand is booming. You provide general assistance—administrative, scheduling, bookkeeping, even event planning—from your home office.

What you bring to the table: Administrative experience; excellent organizational and time-management skills so you can juggle a multitude of tasks; a pleasant phone manner

Expect to earn: About $10 per hour at a staffing agency; up to $30 per hour if you work directly with clients

Sign on: To find work on your own, check out homewiththekids.com, which lists companies that hire assistants, or sign on with an online staffing agency, like Team Double-Click or VIPdesk, to get contract jobs.