For many writers, the process of researching is boring because it intrudes on their writing time. Even so, this usually happens if you’re not receptive to new learning and digging around for accurate information. Research projects can be very tough but rewarding, considering the wealth of information you can gain. This article provides you with some advice on telecommuting as a researcher.
What career is this and what are its job functions?
Many writers think that a researcher’s job is so convenient. The researcher simply needs to search and analyze information online. It certainly takes more skills than that. In fact, a researcher is sometimes referred to as a “data miner,” a “research consultant” a “technical analyst,” or simply a scientist or a scholar. The researcher pores over information and checks it repeatedly for accuracy and facts, and may also conduct his own experiments in line with his research. He coordinates his research activities with industry experts for more information. The goal is to produce accurate and timely data for his clientele.
The researcher pores over information and checks it repeatedly for accuracy and facts, and may also conduct his own experiments in line with his research. He coordinates his research activities with industry experts for more information. The goal is to produce accurate and timely data for his clientele.
What are the specific benefits of pursuing this career?
Researching is a broad field, meaning you can always find telecommute work in different fields for different companies. Depending on the demands of the client, research jobs can provide steady work and a steady income. Moreover, it is not unusual to branch out to other professions such as consultancy or teaching once you have gained experience and expertise in the field.
Why is this type of career in demand right now?
Researching is a tedious and time-consuming process—but a vital one. Hence, businesses, companies, social organizations, health care industries, and other sectors rely on research to develop new products and services, to improve their productivity, and tostay ahead of their competition. Instead of doing it all by themselves, they outsource specific projects and assignments to experts who can handle the job with their specialized skills and knowledge.
What type of person would love this career?
People who are meticulous, experimental, inquisitive, sceptical, creative, empirical, and intelligent make excellent researchers.
What are some disadvantages/obstacles in this career?
As mentioned before, it takes a lot of your time. Many well-paying (ongoing) research projects for the same company may take you months to complete, so you may only have time to work for one or two clients at a time. More importantly, you are responsible for your own research. You cannot leave any room for doubt, questions, or inaccuracy. Some of the information you need may not be available online, so you need to source the data someplace else such as public libraries and local research facilities.
What skills do you need?
You may need to have a Bachelor’s degree (or at least five years of related experience) if you want to specialize in a specific niche. Some clients will require you to have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree. You also need to have sharp eye for details, be able to gather qualitative and quantitative data, analyze results, and determine which facts to accept as accurate and factual based on your knowledge and experience.
How do you break into this career?
You normally start small, and research projects are usually easy or generic. They may even be so easy to acquire. You can also research the niche that interests you and plan out how to obtain your first assignment. For example, if you want to be a medical researcher, you can start by creating medical product reviews.
Who usually hires in this field?
• Health care industries
• Businesses / companies
• Ad agencies
• Educational institutions
• Government agencies
What is the average pay rate / salary?
A starting academic researcher can earn around $48,000 a year. Some companies in healthcare and technology pay annual salaries from $60,000 and higher. Senior-level researchers may earn as much as $90,000. A typical (remote/virtual) library researcher can earn between $10,000 and $37,000.
How and where to find jobs / clients?
Research positions are often advertised in medical journals, newsletters, as well as government websites. You normally do not find telecommute research jobs from local and national dailies. You can also tap into your own network for referrals. Use well-known job sites like Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, Dice.com, and Indeed.com to find research jobs. Use the keywords “remote,” “virtual,” “home-based,” “freelance” or “offsite” as the attribute in your search. Also, establish a business profile on LinkedIn.com.
