Online chat agents are customer service employees who use text-based platforms to communicate with customers. A successful chat agent is able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with few breaks. They should be adept at multitasking and have a good attitude for dealing with people all day long.
Text-based customer service jobs like these require an excellent command of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as a keen sense of how to properly word things in order to minimize confusion and misunderstanding.
There are some chat jobs that require knowledge of specific industries such as tech or lumber. This is important to remember when you’re online browsing for work -from-home chat jobs. If a company requires specific knowledge, they may offer training but not all will.
To start work as a chat agent, all you need is a computer and a reliable internet connection. Some chat jobs combine both online chat and phone support, in which case you’d also need a headset and a phone. For the purpose of this article, though, we’ll be focussing on positions that don’t require chatting on the phone.
While being a chat agent is similar to being a virtual assistant in certain aspects, the two aren’t the same. VAs can cover a wide variety of areas and complete an array of tasks from data entry and answering emails to creating social media content. A chat agent’s job is to provide support — plain and simple.
19 Online Chat Jobs That You Can Do Without A Phone
Best Buy
Believe it or not, Best Buy is known for hiring full-time customer service agents. The hired agents are tasked with troubleshooting client issues over the phone and/or through video chat. They might even use social media platforms like Facebook to respond to questions and inquiries.
Customer issues can include technical troubles, questions about store locations, and problems with delivery of items. The agents hired must be comfortable speaking and typing in English and previous customer service experience is an asset.
They should be able to adhere to a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends. This is a minimum wage job.
Arise
You may have heard about arise in passing; Arise is an international customer service company that hires independent chat agents for serving clients via text-based chat. Chat agents provide real-time support and troubleshooting to those who call in.
When you work for Arise, you can technically work for a variety of companies, as Arise workers are tasked with providing support to the clients of different companies. Most Arise workers specialize in support for one or two partner companies, for which they work as independent contractors or freelancers.
Uber
Uber, as you probably know, is a popular ride-sharing service. Uber hires text chat operators from around the world to come on as staff for their ever-growing customer support team. As an operator, your job is to answer a wide variety of customer inquiries and handle complaints.
Operators are expected to work 40 hours a week and are paid minimum wage. However, operators are offered paid time off and service discounts.
To work here, you must have excellent communication skills and be available for 3 days of training.
Concentrix
Formerly known as Convergys, Concentrix specializes in work-at-home workforces that manage customer support and sales roles. Currently, Concentrix hires in 35 states and requires employees to have access to a computer, a secure and quiet workspace, and a high speed internet connection.
Employees are paid every two weeks and earn minimum wage per hour. You have the option to be either part-time or full-time with the company, but can only work a maximum of 40 hours per week. Generally, schedules are hashed out when you’re officially hired.
Kelly Connect
Kelly Connect is a highly reputable staffing company that hires a range of customer support agents. The company pays a little more than minimum wage and offers employees the option to work either part or full time.
To apply, potential employees need a high school diploma and basic customer service skills. When you’re a trainee with Kelly Connect, you can look forward to regular bonuses of up to $300.
OutPLEX
OutPLEX was previously called Talk2rep. It offers outsourcing of customer support via live chat and text. OutPLEX hires home-based workers from the US, tasking employees with resolving customer issues.
To qualify to work for OutPLEX, you must live in the United States and be able to type 30 to 50 words per minute without making any errors. To test your speed, you can take a typing test online for free.
In addition, you need a computer that is hard wired to the internet and has a Windows OS. You’ll also need a highschool diploma or GED and be adept at multitasking, performing independent research, and communicating. Your spelling and grammar skills must be on par, too.
LiveWorld
LiveWorld hires part and full-time, work-from-home customer service agents to provide customer support and engage with marketing. LiveWorld agents must be fluent in English as well as whichever other language you’re comfortable providing support in. Bilinguality is an asset for the role but not required.
To be successful, you must have a computer with an internet connection, a command of spelling and grammar in the languages you take on, and a quiet workspace that you can use for dedicated blocks of time.
Support.com
If you’re looking for a fast-paced work from home opportunity, Support.com could be just the job for you. Support.com provides callers with technical support via chat and phone. To work here, having an understanding of iOS, Mac, Android, and Windows devices is key since the company specializes in technical support.
Perks of working here include paid training, health insurance, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement, as well as access to an extensive content library that can help you expand your technical knowledge.
Sedgwick CMS
Sedgwick CMS offers claim-settlement customer support. They offer positions to at-home workers from all over the world and have a dedicated service for the spouses of military veterans. To work with Sedgwick CMS, you must speak English, have good communication skills, and have a computer to use. In addition, you should have graduated from highschool or have GED, and have one year of customer support experience.
Operator
Operator is primarily known for its mobile app, which caters to ensuring that users have top-tier online shopping experiences. They hire home-based employees that are charged with helping customers to get the products that they really want.
Operator requires strong communication skills and for employees to pass a basic test. After passing, you’re sent directly to a live chat platform where you will try to convince the shopper to buy the items they are looking at.
You get paid a daily rate plus commission for making sales.
SiteStaff
To become a SiteStaff Chat Host, you must be able to type 65 to 75 words per minute and have a strong grasp of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You must also have excellent problem solving skills.
Iubenda
If you have a legal background, Iubenda could prove to be the work-at-home job you’re looking for. Iubenda is known for providing legal solutions and has recently expanded operations to employ legal advisors who work from home.
Employees must be citizens of either the United States or Canada and have prior experience in the field of legal customer service. To apply, you must have a graduate degree.
Buffer
Buffer deals with social media like Tweets, Insta stories, and Facebook posts. If you’re a savvy social media user and looking to make money from home, Buffer could be a good opportunity. Buffer deals with clients from all over the world and hires employees globally, as well. There are opportunities for social media management as well as traditional customer support.
Apple
Apple is a company that’s known for its leading electronics as well as its incredible customer service. Apple hires Apple-At-Home Advisors to handle customer issues, answer questions, and provide support.
You’ll need good communication skills and a good knowledge of their various products, since you’ll be spending a lot of time answering Apple device related questions. In addition, you’ll need somewhere to set up a workstation, which they will send you upon your hire.
Knack
Knack is a completely remote company that makes it easy for clients to build customizable, data-driven web applications. Employees, also called Knacksters, can work from wherever they see fit.
They offer support jobs via phone as well as text chat operator jobs in the marketing and engineering branches of the company. Benefits of working here include healthcare, professional development, and paid vacation.
Capital Typing
Capital Typing is an outsourcing company that offers jobs in data transcription, language translation, market research, and data entry. There are both live chat and email support opportunities available.
The hiring procedure includes an interview via Skype and potentially completion of a small task.
Freelance Websites for Finding Chat Jobs
UpWork
UpWork is a great place to start your search for a chat agent job. To get started, create a free profile and then browse job listings that you’re interested in. Typically there are hundreds of available jobs at any given time.
Upwork will do some of the leg work for you, suggesting you jobs via email. Once you’ve found a job that interests you, you submit a pitch, also known as a bid, to the client. If accepted, the job is yours.
The process is made easily by the availability of a 24/7 messaging service that lets you communicate with clients. Here, you can chat with potential clients as well as those who have hired you.
I said that creating a profile is free — and it is. However, Upwork charges a 20% fee for the first $500 billed to every client, 10% of lifelong earnings for a client that you earn between $500 and $10,000 with, and 5% on anything beyond $10,000.
In addition, you must pay a small fee to send bids to clients. These are called connections, which must be purchased before they can be used. Sometimes, UpWork will reward users with free connects. This is usually for responding to job interviews sent to you by clients who are impressed by your profile.
FlexJobs
Flex Jobs is a handy platform that provides users with a tailored list of remote jobs. It offers opportunities for part and full-time employment as well as for entry- level and experienced workers. Flexjobs is ideal for finding remote and flexible jobs that are not commonly found on job boards.
Job postings include employee and freelance roles and the platform offers extensive, top-tier resources for helping you with your job search. These include resume reviews, video introductions, and job search checklists.
FlexJobs costs $14.95 a month, which gives you access to all the job postings and job search resources that are available. You can pay month by month or quarterly or annually, depending on your needs. You can always change your payment schedule if you find that a different plan would suit you better.
If you dislike the service for any reason, you can request a refund within the first 30 days. After 30 days are up, there are nonrefunds and the only thing you can do is cancel your payment plan.
For both services, it’s important to remember that users are from all around the world. Because of this, there are going to be time differences and discrepancies when it comes to communication. Unfortunately, it’s just part of the job when you work with people from around the globe.
