education jobs from home

The 11 best online teaching jobs that let you work from home

Looking for a job that gives you the ultimate work-life balance? Then teaching English online may be the perfect fit for you!

Still not sure if you should teach English online ?

Take a look at the benefits of teaching English online:

• Freedom to work from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
• Flexibility to set your own working hours.
• A rewarding way to earn and save money.
• No need for lesson planning.
• Making a difference in students’ lives wherever they are in the world.

Sounds pretty great, right?

These days, there are plenty of online teaching jobs to choose from. So, we thought we’d make your job search a little easier by rounding up some of the best ones out there today.

We’ll list our top 11 of the best online English teaching jobs based on pay, incentives and perks!

• 7 Non-Chinese ESL Companies Hiring Online English Teachers in 2022
• Amazing Companies That Let You Teach English Online From Home

Plus, we’ll give you the inside scoop on our top five jobs. You’ll meet five online teachers who’ll share their thoughts!

What are the best companies for teaching English online?

• iTutorGroup
• BlaBla EdTech
• Whales English
• Stewart English

GoGoKid , a company based in Beijing, connects Chinese students with native-English speakers from around the world through their virtual classroom.

It’s on a mission to revolutionize language learning through the use of cutting-edge technology.

As a GoGoKid teacher, you’ll teach 25-minute, one-on-one online English lessons with young Chinese students. But you don’t need to worry about lesson planning since it provides you with its professionally developed curriculum.

Aside from English-language skills, GoGoKid lesson plans also focus on fostering students’ creativity and critical thinking skills.

Speaking of creativity, GoGoKid encourages teachers to create a fun and engaging learning environment for their students by using their own teaching props.

Working with GoGoKid at a glance

Pay: $14–$25 USD per hour

Time commitment: no min. or max.

Student age: children

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Min. one year of teaching experience
• Native English speaking proficiency
• Eligibility to legally work in the U.S. or Canada
• TEFL certification preferred
• Clear criminal background check

Apply to become a GoGoKid teacher!

What’s the best thing about being an online GoGoKid teacher?

“Teaching English online has given me the unique opportunity to have a global impact while working remotely on a self-created schedule.  Waking up to the sweet, smiling faces of my eager-to-learn students, I can’t help but feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world.” – Asha, on Instagram @teacher.asha

DaDa , based in Shanghai, has the humble mission of ensuring every child’s happiness while learning. And they do that by inspiring their students with meaningful teaching materials and innovative lesson plans.

As a DaDa teacher, you’ll engage with young Chinese learners through one-on-one video tutoring sessions. Teachers can pick their own schedule, so you can build a flexible teaching timetable that fits into your life.

DaDa also offers teachers extra perks like bonuses and referral rewards.

Working with DaDa at a glance

Pay: $13.50–$23 USD per hour

Time commitment: 4–20 hours per week

Student age: 4–16 years old

• TEFL certification

Apply to become a DaDa teacher!

What’s the best thing about being an online DaDa teacher?

“Some students have been with me for over a year now and they consider me more of a friend that’s part of the family rather than just a teacher at this point, and nothing is more rewarding than the bond I am lucky enough to have with them. I love that, if they had a bad day, they feel like they can talk about it and the fact that they trust me enough to do that is priceless.” – Manuela, on Instagram @dadaabc_manuela

3. iTutorGroup

iTutorGroup is also based in Shanghai and offers personalized learning experiences to students and business professionals in a variety of subject areas.

As an iTutorGroup teacher, you’ll interact with students one-on-one in a virtual learning environment. You’ll teach English to both kids and adults, as well as teach business English.

Interested in sharpening your teaching skills? iTutorGroup offers professional development to help you improve as a teacher.

Plus, if you want to learn a new language you can learn to speak Chinese for free with complimentary Chinese tutoring.

Working with iTutorGroup at a glance

Pay: $1,500–$2,000 USD per month (on average)

Time commitment: min. 5 hours per week

Student age: children & adults

Apply to become an iTutorGroup teacher!

What’s the best thing about being an online iTutorGroup teacher?

“I love working with iTutor because they made my dream come true! My biggest passion, teaching, is now possible online and I can’t think of any better way of working and making money.” – Olga, on Instagram @itutor.olga

QKids is based in Xiamen and delivers a narrative game-based learning platform to over 600,000 Chinese students and counting. The dynamic learning curriculum makes learning English both fun and effective!

As a QKids teacher, you will get to teach alongside adorable cartoon characters through animated storytelling and interactive games. There’s no need to plan lessons since all lesson plans are already provided through the app.

You can also take advantage of attendance and performance bonuses to boost your teaching income.

Working with QKids at a glance

Pay: $16–$20 USD per hour

Time commitment: min. 6 hours per week

Student age: 4–12 years old

• TEFL certification and/or teaching license
• Some teaching experience preferred

Apply to become a QKids teacher!

What’s the best thing about being an online QKids teacher?

“What I love most about teaching English online is the flexibility! With Qkids I have the ability to set my schedule around my availability. That means I can be present with my family and support my household with a gratifying job at the same time!” – Katie, on Instagram @qkids.katie

Also based in Beijing, VIPKid links young Chinese learners with passionate native-English-speaking teachers through online language learning.

As a VIPKid teacher, you’ll have one-on-one tutoring sessions with students in China using their highly interactive platform as your virtual classroom. They’ll provide you with pre-made lesson plans, so the only thing you’ll need to prepare are some engaging teaching props.

Teachers will also have the opportunity to earn extra income through bonuses and referrals.

Working with VIPKid at a glance

Pay: $14–$22 USD per hour

• TEFL certification and/or teaching license preferred

Apply to become a VIPKid teacher!

What’s the best thing about being an online VIPKid teacher?

“I love the flexibility and freedom that it gives me as a mom.  I make my own schedule, I’m done teaching before my kids wake up, and I’m free to be the mom that I need to be to them the rest of the day. ” – Sarah, on Instagram @sarahsteachingcorner

Skooli is a top online tutoring platform based in Canada.

The platform looks for people who passionate about education and want to help students learn English among other subjects.

If you’re a former or retired teacher, or even a working teacher looking to supplement your income, online English tutoring could be great for you!

Working with Skooli at a glance

Pay: Competitive

Student age: children, teenagers, adults

• Major: English or a related field

Apply to become a Skooli teacher!

7. Magic Ears

Magic Ears is an innovative online English learning platform based in the U.S. for students from the ages of 4-12.

It’s their mission to bring a global classroom experience to every child and provide online career opportunities to teachers everywhere.

The supportive, friendly culture makes working for Magic Ears feel super rewarding!

Working with Magic Ears at a glance

Student age: 4-12

• Speak English at a high level

Apply to become a Magic Ears teacher!

8. BlaBla EdTech

BlaBla EdTech is based in Shanghai, China. It’s a super unique online learning platform!

ESL content creators help Chinese young adults learn English through curated video content.

It’s their mission to bring learners fresh online videos that help students learn at their own pace.

BlaBla EdTech prefers teachers with experience who also have the skillset to make quality video content for their platform.

Working with BlaBla Tech at a glance

Pay: $11.5 USD/hour plus, gratuities and commision

Time commitment: 4-6 hours per week on average.

• Minimum one year of teaching experience

Apply to become a BlaBla EdTech teacher!

9. Whales English

Whales English is an online school based in Beijing, China. It caters to language learners from the ages of 3 to 18.

It’s their mission to provide high-quality education for children from all socio-economic backgrounds to minimize the gap between the privileged and underprivileged.

On this platform, teachers will teach a curriculum based on National Geographic Learning and OXFORD READING TREE from Oxford University Press.

Working with Whales English at a glance

Pay: $18-26 USD/hour + bonuses

Time commitment: 8 hours during peak hours

Apply to become a Whales English teacher!

Preply is a global marketplace for online language learning based in Brookline, United States.

It’s their mission to create a fun learning space for teachers and students. With Preply you can teach multiple languages.

Working with Preply at a glance

Pay: you choose what you charge

Student age: children, young adults and adults

• High school diploma
• Experience teaching one-on-one online classes

Apply to become a Preply teacher!

11. Stewart English

Stewart English is an online language learning platform based in Bucharesti, Romania.

It’s their mission to create a learning atmosphere that encourages students to learn and gain confidence with languages.

You can teach English, French or German on this platform.

Working with Stewart English at a glance

• One year of teaching experience

Apply to become a Stewart English teacher!

Start teaching online today!

If you’re ready to ditch your 9-5 and enjoy a better work-life balance, then it’s time to start a new career teaching English online.

Already a teacher? Great! You can easily transition from the classroom to online teaching.

To get started teaching online you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree (in any subject) and a TEFL certificate.

Not TEFL certified yet? Enroll in an online TEFL course today and get certified to teach English to foreign language learners in as little as 6 to 12 weeks.

Currently teaching online or abroad ? Follow Teach Away on Instagram @teachaway and tag your shots with #teachawaylife for a chance to be featured!

Enjoyed this article? Don't forget to share.

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... and subject matter experts. Whether you want a full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere role, online teaching jobs offer many options. In a work from home teaching job, you'll plan lessons and instruct K-12, college, or adult students in a particular subject. Online teaching jobs require patience, time management, and technology skills to lead virtual instruction. Check out the latest remote teaching jobs and companies hiring!"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}">Explore the flexibility of remote teaching jobs, a popular choice among educators and subject matter experts. Whether you want a full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere role, online teaching jobs offer many options. In a work from home teaching job, you'll plan lessons and instruct K-12, college, or adult students in a particular subject. Online teaching jobs require patience, time management, and technology skills to lead virtual instruction. Check out the latest remote teaching jobs and companies hiring!  

Explore the flexibility of remote teaching jobs, a popular choice among educators and subject matter experts. Whether you want a full-time, part-time, freelance, or work from anywhere role, online teaching jobs offer many options. In a work from home teaching job, you’ll plan lessons and instruct K-12, college, or adult students in a particular subject. Online teaching jobs require patience, time management, and technology skills to lead virtual instruction. Check out the latest remote teaching jobs and companies hiring!

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The 11 Work-From-Home Jobs That Require No Experience

M any employees gravitate toward the flexibility of remote jobs these days. But what if you're a recent grad with no experience? Or someone seeking a career change?

Fortunately, a traditional 9-to-5 isn't your only option. There are plenty of entry-level work-from-home jobs you can land without direct experience.

Instead, you can rely on transferable skills—like communication and project management—that don't necessarily require a degree or years of experience to learn. You likely already have these types of skills from school, part-time work or even day-to-day life at home.

Here are some of the best remote jobs that don't require experience, plus tips on how to land them.

Entry-Level Remote Jobs Requiring Little to No Experience

Ready to join the workforce or switch careers? These 11 remote jobs don't require education or full-time experience in most cases.

Learn what transferable skills you may need for each one and the average salary.

1. Data Entry

Data entry is a clerical job where you'll enter and update records in a database or computer system. You may also transcribe data from voice recordings.

Many industries rely on data entry clerks, including healthcare, finance and retail. Specific tasks vary depending on the company, but duties may include the following:

• Entering data provided by customers
• Keeping track of sales figures
• Moving data from hard copies to digital databases
• Organizing data in spreadsheets
• Transcribing meeting notes

A data entry career is a good option for those looking for a work-from-home job with no experience. While some companies may require a bachelor's degree, it's not always necessary.

However, it can be beneficial to apply to jobs even if you don't meet 100 percent of the requirements—especially if you have the right transferable skills.

Transferable skills to include on your resume:

• Attention to detail
• Organization
• Time management
• Ability to work independently

Average salary : $34,387 (Glassdoor)

2. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are like administrative assistants you might find in an office—except, of course, they work remotely. While tasks will vary depending on the specific company, common virtual assistant responsibilities include the following:

• Scheduling meetings and appointments
• Managing events
• Making phone calls
• Creating online content
• Performing data entry

It's possible to find a full-time virtual assistant role, but many businesses hire on a contract basis. If you prefer the flexibility of freelance work, you can make more money over time by taking on new clients.

• Multitasking
• Communication
• Skills specific to the employer (For example: "writing" may stand out on your resume if the company specializes in content creation)

Average salary : $41,192 (Glassdoor)

3. Sales Representative

Enjoy interacting with people, but still want the flexibility of a work from home role? Sales is the perfect industry for that.

It's also a remote job that can pay well even if you don't have experience. That's because most sales reps get a commission when they make a sale, meaning the better you get at your job, the more opportunities you have to make additional money.

Sales positions typically involve:

• Researching your customer base
• Reaching out to prospective customers
• Following up on leads
• Communicating with existing customers to keep them satisfied with the product or service

You can find sales roles across any industry, and most entry-level jobs don't require a bachelor's degree.

However, you'll want to be careful about potential sales position scams. Never accept a role that requires you to pay upfront for a product, withholds pay until you recruit additional salespeople or only pays commission rather than a full salary.

• Public speaking
• Customer service
• Problem-solving

Average salary : $55,934 base salary and $84,295 total pay including bonuses and commission (Glassdoor)

4. Customer Service Representative

Customer service is another option for those who prefer to interact with others while working from home. As a customer service representative, you'll typically provide support to customers through phone, email or chat.

Any company that sells a product or service is bound to have a customer service team, so it's a great way to get a foot in the door of a company or industry you're interested in growing with long-term.

But keep in mind that many companies offer customer service during nights and weekends. So while there's typically remote flexibility, you may find yourself working outside the traditional 9-to-5 timeframe.

Average salary : $36,335 (Glassdoor)

5. Transcriptionist

If you're naturally quick at typing, you'd likely be a great transcriptionist. All you need to do is accurately transcribe audio into text. You might find yourself transcribing TV shows, movies, podcasts and other forms of media.

Most transcriber roles are part-time or freelance, so this is a good option if you're looking for a side gig or want to save up some extra money.

You can find transcription jobs on sites like Upwork, Scribie, Rev and TranscribeMe.

Average salary : $39,355 (Glassdoor)

6. Freelance Writer

If you're a talented writer, there are plenty of freelance options for you to explore. You'll likely need to provide writing samples to prospective clients, but you won't typically need a formal education or background (unless you're writing about a highly specialized topic).

• Time management (to meet deadlines)
• Prioritization

There are a few main categories of freelance writers, and their average salaries differ:

Content Writer

Content writers are likely what you think about when you think of "freelance writers." They write long-form online content like blog posts and website copy. Successful content writers create copy that drives traffic and awareness to a brand's website.

It can be beneficial to have a search engine optimization (SEO) background, but it's not always required. If you are interested in building your SEO skills, though, websites like HubSpot and Semrush offer a range of free courses.

Average salary : $46,443 (Glassdoor)

Copywriters write clear, concise copy for different marketing materials. Folks often use "content writer" and "copywriter" interchangeably, but copywriters focus on short-form copy like ads and social media posts.

Think of it this way: a content writer's goal is to bring awareness to a brand or product, while a copywriter's goal is to get the user to act (make a purchase, sign up for a newsletter, etc.).

Average salary : $47,213 (Glassdoor)

Technical Writer

Technical writers simplify complex topics so everyday consumers can understand them. In this role, you may work on instruction manuals, software manuals, brochures and other educational materials.

It can certainly help to have prior experience in the specific industry you're writing about, but you can also find entry-level technical writer positions.

If you're a strong writer without prior experience, create an online portfolio and write samples to send along with your resume.

Average salary : $65,052 (Glassdoor)

7. Copy Editor

If you have strong editing and proofreading skills, you may want to opt for copy editing rather than freelance writing. Copy editors fact-check and edit for grammar, accuracy, tone of voice and flow. Also, expect to proofread final drafts of content before publication.

Many employers hire copy editors on a freelance basis. If you're in search of a full-time role, zero in on companies that produce lots of content (like online publications or marketing agencies).

In addition to spelling and grammar, there are a few transferable skills that can help you land a copy editing job.

• Proofreading
• Empathy (expect to provide writers with regular constructive feedback)

Average salary : $44,968 (Glassdoor)

8. Social Media Coordinator

Social media roles are perfect for those who want a creative remote position. Employers sometimes use "social media coordinator" and "social media manager" interchangeably, though the "manager" position typically refers to someone with more experience.

As a social media coordinator, you'll help oversee a company's social media platforms. This may include creating and scheduling posts, engaging with followers and commenters, and analyzing content performance.

Different companies will focus on different social media platforms, so it's best to be familiar with all of the popular ones (like Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , LinkedIn and Twitter ).

In addition to familiarity with social media trends, here are a few skills to add to your resume.

• Communication (particularly written communication)
• Project management

Average salary : $41,607 (Glassdoor)

9. Online English Teacher

As an online English teacher, you'll work with students whose first language isn't English. They might be younger students learning a second language or business professionals who want to improve their speaking skills.

Some companies require a teaching background and certifications while others simply want native English speakers willing to converse with students.

Your students will likely be from other countries, so be prepared to work either early or late hours depending on time zone compatibility.

Average salary : $42,870 (Glassdoor)

Tutoring is a flexible remote option for those who are still in school or don't have any full-time work experience. As long as you're skilled in a specific subject area, you can tutor.

Tutoring allows for plenty of flexibility, making it perfect for both students and those looking for a side gig.

Keep in mind that a bachelor's degree may help if your students are in high school or college. But parents with younger children may prefer to hire someone a bit closer to their child's age (whether it's for relatability or cheaper rates).

• Adaptability

Average salary : Most tutoring roles have hourly pay. The average pay in the U.S. is $24.20 per hour (Indeed).

11. Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is the ultimate side gig. It's flexible, you don't need any formal experience and it's always in demand. But if you can make it your full-time role, you can make a decent amount of money.

People usually look for pet sitters to walk their dogs during the day or watch their pets while they're on vacation. If you have the capability to board multiple animals at once in your own home, you can easily increase the amount of money you make per day.

A familiarity with animals is of course helpful, but sites like Rover and Wag don't require you to have any professional experience.

You can also apply for a local pet-sitting business if you'd prefer to have someone else find clients for you. Keep in mind that you probably won't be able to set your own rates in this case, though.

• Experience with animals
• Reliability
• Decision making

Average salary : Most pet-sitting roles have hourly pay. The average pay in the U.S. is $14.69 per hour (Indeed).

How to Get a Remote Job Without Any Experience

Just entering the workforce? There are a few things you can do to help get an interview for a remote job that pays well even if your resume is a bit thin:

Apply For Entry-Level Roles

These types of jobs will vary by industry, but they typically require minimal education and experience. The purpose of an entry-level job is to help someone get their start in a specific industry.

Most job search engines like LinkedIn and Indeed let you filter roles by experience. But you can also search for roles in your field that include words like "entry-level," "junior," or "associate."

Highlight Transferable Skills

Even if you don't have on-the-job experience, chances are you've learned skills through school, volunteer or life experience.

Say you manage your family's finances—you have experience with budgeting. Or you held a leadership role in a club—you have leadership and communication experience.

Here are some additional transferable skills you might have:

Pro tip : When applying for a job, tailor your resume to that specific role. Saying you have organization skills is great, but how will these skills specifically help you succeed in the position?

Intern or Volunteer To Learn

If you want to enter a highly specialized industry, it can be more difficult to stand out among applicants. Investing your time in an internship or volunteer opportunity can help you build experience without a previous full-time role.

Sites like Taproot and Catchafire allow you to volunteer your skills to nonprofits and other causes. This will help you work on your craft—plus it will look great on your resume.

Take Online Courses To Build New Skills

Even if you don't have the time to intern or volunteer, you can take advantage of online courses.

Coursera offers a wide range of online courses, many of which are free. Sites like Codeacademy and Google also have plenty of free options for those looking to build coding or marketing skills.

Create a Portfolio

You don't need professional work experience to create a portfolio. Say you're a graphic designer. You can include work from school that you're proud of. Or even create new graphics catered to the industry or companies you apply to.

Use a site like Squarespace and Wix to create your portfolio for free.

How To Tell if a Remote Job Is a Scam

When searching for jobs, be wary—if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Unfortunately, some people post fake job ads to steal personal information or trick people into paying fake "training fees."

Here are additional tell-tale signs of remote job scams that you should avoid:

• The company doesn't have a website or online presence
• The employer asks you for personal information before you get a job offer
• The job listing promises that you'll "get rich quick" for little actual work
• The employer's email address is @gmail.com or @yahoo.com rather than a legitimate company name
• The company is an MLM (I.e., a multi-level marketing scheme )
• You get a job offer immediately and are pressured to accept it quickly

If you do run into a scam during your job search, you can report it to the Better Business Bureau .

Where To Find Remote Jobs

These days, you can find remote jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed or any popular job board. But here are a few specialized boards that only promote remote jobs:

• We Work Remotely
• Working Nomads

Now that you have a few remote job options in mind that don't require experience, it's time to get started. Happy job hunting!

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Construction boom helps fuel job gains in March

Scott Horsley

Hiring accelerated in the U.S. in March, adding 303,000 jobs, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, staying under 4% for more than two full years. People walk past a Home Depot in San Rafael, Calif. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

Hiring accelerated in the U.S. in March, adding 303,000 jobs, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, staying under 4% for more than two full years. People walk past a Home Depot in San Rafael, Calif.

Construction companies helped to hammer together another strong month for the U.S. job market.

The Labor Department reported Friday that construction firms added 39,000 jobs in March — a remarkably strong showing in the face of high interest rates. Hiring was also robust in health care, restaurants and local government. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, even as more than 400,000 people joined or rejoined the workforce.

"Today's release was a blockbuster jobs report and indicates that recession is not arriving anytime soon," said Anirban Basu, chief economist for the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). He noted that construction job gains in March were about twice as high as the monthly average over the last year.

You'll need more than $100,000 in income to afford a typical home, studies show

The ABC's most recent Construction Confidence Index found nearly 48% of builders expect to add jobs in the next six months, while only about 11% expect job cuts.

That's surprising at a time when borrowing costs are so high. Mortgage rates are hovering around 6.8%, according to Freddie Mac . Of the jobs added in March, about 14,000 were in residential construction, 19,000 were in non-residential construction, and 6,000 were in civil engineering projects.

"We are seeing an uptick in project opportunities for our folks," said Ryan Odendahl, CEO of Kwest Group, a civil and industrial construction firm based in Perrysburg, Ohio. "We're doing everything from a large road construction project to bike path and park-style projects."

Kwest has about 340 employees and is looking to hire more. About 20% of the company's employees are military veterans, which Odendahl calls a good training ground.

"A squad leader is a foreman with different skills," Odendahl said. "The ability to work outside. The ability to change quickly and to handle adversity that happens on projects every day."

The unemployment rate for construction workers was 5.4% in March — higher than the national average but down from 5.6% a year ago.

"Young people are starting to see the opportunity, both from an earnings potential and a growth potential that the construction industry offers," Odendahl said. "We need to do a better job as an industry of telling some of the great things that are going on in construction. We are competing with all of the other industries in the economy for people."

Overall, U.S. employers added 303,000 jobs in March — significantly more than forecasters had expected. The strength of the job market has allowed the Federal Reserve to take its time in cutting interest rates.

This year, colleges must choose between fast financial aid offers, or accurate ones

"We don't need to be in an hurry to cut," Fed chairman Jerome Powell said recently at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. "We can wait and become more confident that in fact inflation is coming down to 2%."

The Fed will be watching closely when March inflation numbers are released next week. Average wages in March were up 4.1% — almost certainly outpacing the rise in prices.

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• Unemployment
• Federal Reserve

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The top 3 cities for new grads: 'I can afford the house I want and the life I want'

This college graduation season, the class of 2023 is on the move.

Nearly half of 2023 college grads say they'd be willing to relocate to a new city for a job or to further their education, according to a survey of more than 2,000 graduating seniors from ZipRecruiter , the online jobs site. Early signs indicate that, in response to pandemic shifts in daily work and life, including the rise of remote work, the youngest members of the workforce could be more open to living in smaller rising cities than ever.

Today's college graduates are confronting an uncertain economy. Some 83% of students surveyed by ZipRecruiter say inflation and living costs are making them re-think their post-graduation plans — 1 in 3 say they're looking to move to a cheaper city after school.

To figure out where today's youngest professionals may have the best time getting settled based on those concerns, personal finance site SmartAsset analyzed the U.S. Census and MIT data to find the top metro areas for the class of 2023 .

Researchers ranked metro areas based on three factors:

• Jobs, measured by median earnings and the unemployment rate for college grads
• Affordability, measured by MIT's living wage calculator that considers essential costs for one adult with no children
• Fun, measured by the percentage of the population between 20 to 29 years old, and the number of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues per capita

In many cases, metros that stand out in one area score poorly in the other two. To find the most well-rounded areas to enjoy a high quality of life relative to their earning power, new grads might want to look to Sun Belt and Midwestern college towns.

Based on the data, the No. 1 best metro area for new grads in 2023 is the area surrounding Lubbock, Texas. Bloomington, Ill., comes in second, while Kalamazoo, Mich., rounds out the top three.

Overall, college towns in the Sun Belt and Midwest tend be good places for new grads to settle because those areas cater to a younger demographic in terms of affordability and entertainment, says Jaclyn DeJohn, managing editor of economic analysis at SmartAsset. Industries generally center themselves where educated populations reside, and companies partner with universities to hire young talent.

Data is one thing, but what is it actually like to be a young person living in these areas? CNBC Make It spoke with 20-somethings living in each city at the center of the top metro areas for new grads for a look into what it's like to live, work and play there.

Big-city attractions with a college-town price tag in Lubbock

With a population of 326,546, Lubbock is the biggest metro area that ranks well for new grads. Roughly 1 in 5 residents is in their 20s, which makes it a good place for new grads to find friends and build a social circle, DeJohn says.

It ranks highly across the board for jobs, affordability and fun, landing in the top 27 out of 188 for each subranking. "Other cities did great in one or two areas max, but Lubbock offers the whole package," DeJohn says. Its high placements across the board is "the best combination" and "unheard of compared to the rest of the places."

Even those who leave find reasons to return.

Ryan Lewis, 23, grew up in Lubbock and moved to study public relations at the University of Oklahoma. She graduated in 2020 and spent a few years in Dallas, but soon realized the bigger city wasn't for her.

She prefers a slower pace where it's easier to connect with others, and the affordability of a smaller town can't be beat: "The cost of living in places like Dallas is so crazy high for people in their 20s just out of college and starting their careers."

She returned to Lubbock in early 2023 where her dollar goes much farther. She used to pay $1,500 to split an apartment with two roommates in Dallas but now pays about $1,000 to share a house with a backyard with one person. Her new roommate is another childhood friend making her return after moving away to Florida for school.

Lewis now works for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance and Visit Lubbock, the city's conventions and visitors bureau, which gives her a behind-the-scenes look at major downtown revitalization efforts and a sprawling business community.

Other cities did great in one or two areas max, but Lubbock offers the whole package. Jaclyn DeJohn SmartAsset

Through her work and social life, she gets a front-row seat to new restaurants, bars, entertainment spaces and hotels opening up around town. Roughly 41,000 students attend Texas Tech every year, and as a result, "a lot of business owners and realtors are catering their assets towards people in their 20s," Lewis says.

Lewis says the biggest misconception people have about her hometown, and where she's returned to plant roots, is that there's nothing to do, though she cites local wineries, museums, music venues, historical sites and community events that draw people around her age together.

"People think Lubbock is a boring city with dirt blowing everywhere, but there's so much to do here as long as you put in the time and effort to find something you enjoy," she says.

'The perfect middle ground': Affordable homes, big-name employers in Bloomington

Bloomington, home to Illinois State University, stands out for its strong job market. Residents have pretty high earning power relative to the rest of the U.S.: A college-educated worker in Bloomington earns a median of $72,333 per year, compared with the national median earnings of $59,717.

Landmark employers like State Farm Insurance, which is headquartered in Bloomington, as well as Rivian, the electric vehicle maker , help to bring in new and young career-oriented residents, too.

The university brought Melissa Douglas, 24, from the Chicago area to Bloomington in 2019. By her senior year of college, she knew she wanted to put down roots in the city and decided to stay after graduating in December 2022.

Though she grew up near a big city, she prefers the small-town feel of Bloomington. The housing market is relatively affordable and growing, which is why Douglas got her real estate license while in school and began practicing in January 2023.

Bloomington was named the No. 2 emerging housing market for the spring of 2023, with a median home listing price of $339,000 in March, according to an index from The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com. Nationwide, the median home listing price was $424,000.

Many of the clients Douglas works with are young homebuyers around her age and just out of college or grad school. Douglas currently lives with her boyfriend and his family while he finishes his undergraduate degree, and she feels confident they'll be able to buy a starter home in the area after he graduates in December. ("He works in construction management and will have no problem getting a job here," she says.)

Douglas feels it's "pretty common throughout my generation" to not strive for big-city living. "I could live a comfortable lifestyle like I did growing up without having to make as much money," she says.

"Here, I know I can afford the house I want and the life I want," she adds. "This is the perfect middle ground."

A burgeoning food scene in Kalamazoo entices young entrepreneurs

Kalamazoo, another college town with plenty of jobs, affordable living and 20-somethings, ranks highly for "fun," thanks to a big restaurant scene especially appealing to young people — and young entrepreneurs.

The food scene helped Derick Waters, 28, see a future for himself in Kalamazoo. He grew up in nearby Battle Creek, Mich., but moved away to Arizona after high school to work as a personal trainer. He returned to Battle Creek in 2018 to pursue a dietetics degree until Covid waylaid him.

He took a semester off in 2020 and channeled his energy into a YouTube channel for vegan cooking. While researching commercial kitchen spaces to rent out to film his videos, Waters came across what's now called Can-Do Kalamazoo , a business incubation program. After a 16-week course, Waters secured a kitchen space, got a license to sell food and launched Dirty Vegan, a plant-based comfort food stand.

Waters runs Dirty Vegan with his girlfriend, Nina Martinez, and they're now gearing up for their second season selling at farmers markets and other community events. In the off-season, they hope to join another emerging scene in micro-brewing.

"The restaurant business and brewing world is a booming industry in Michigan," Waters says, which presents both entertainment and business opportunities.

Martinez, 27, hopes to one day open her own art and clothing boutique. She moved from Lake Odessa, Mich., to Kalamazoo for college nine years ago and was surprised by how tight-knit the community is. "People know the mayor on a personal level," she says.

Kalamazoo's thriving small-business community, particularly for restaurants, is almost counterintuitive to how well it caters to a younger crowd. "In general, I find restaurants tend to be correlated with an older population that has higher disposable income," DeJohn says, "so it's interesting to see Kalamazoo have a high propensity for restaurants despite a young population."

Waters' long-term goal is to build his business — he's looking into getting a food truck — and become a new staple of the Kalamazoo community.

"There's a ton of new people moving in and out all the time," he says. "There's a ton to do, and the environment is always changing."

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No job after college here are 13 proactive steps you can take.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York , at the end of 2023, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates was 4.8%, more than double that of all college graduates in the job market, which stood at 2.3%.

Getting a job when you’re newly out of college may be uniquely challenging for various reasons. Many entry-level roles require prior experience, leaving those fresh out of college struggling to meet these expectations without having had full-time professional opportunities yet. Additionally, recent graduates may face challenges in effectively communicating their skills and value to potential employers as they’re just beginning to learn how to navigate the nuances of job searching and interviewing in their chosen field.

So, what should you do if you’re on the job hunt after college? While there isn’t one golden recipe that works for all graduates, let’s break down some strategies that may help you boost your chances of full-time employment after college.

13 proactive steps you can take to find a job after college

There are different steps you may consider taking if you’re looking for a job after college.

1. Use your network to its fullest

Networking can be a highly valuable way to get job leads, recommendations, and to start establishing relationships in your chosen field. While you may understand how important this is when it comes to getting a job, how do you go about it?

Sometimes, networking can be as simple as attending a professional development event that’s being held by your college's alumni association. Alumni associations are college-specific organizations where former graduates come together to meet other graduates, promote ways of helping one another, and remain connected to their school. You can visit your school's website to find information about your local alumni association and events it may be holding.

Beyond networking with the help of your college, consider searching for professional in-person or virtual meetups where you may meet employees in your ideal line of work and even hiring managers.

Lastly, as you start your networking journey, make sure to utilize the network you already have in place – your family members and friends. Don’t hesitate to tell this network the kind of jobs you’re looking for and utilize them to pass on leads to you and reach out to their extended network for potential assistance on your job hunt.

2. Continue to build new skills

Sometimes, the difference between someone who gets a job offer and someone who doesn't is a matter of skills. For instance, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in a 2024 report found that 88.7% of employers wanted a candidate with problem-solving skills, 67% wanted technical skills, and 54.6% wanted someone with computer skills.

If you’re out of college and looking for a job, this may be a good opportunity to build skills or get certifications that employers in your industry may find valuable. Taking the time to build skills doesn't necessarily guarantee you’ll get a job, but it may grab the eye of recruiters or employers looking for candidates with specific skills.

3. Consider internships to get your foot in the door

Having a high-grade point average (GPA) from college may not be as helpful when it comes to getting a job out of college as hands-on practical experience. For instance, you may have decent grades in, let's say, chemistry, but recruiters in your field may want someone who’s had real-world experience working in a professional lab.

This is where internships can come in – even for college graduates. If your resume lacks real work experience and that’s what’s holding you back in your search, you may want to consider applying for internships.

Internships can be a helpful way to build your resume, build practical skills needed in your industry, network, and potentially set you on a path to receiving a full-time job offer.

4. Apply to a big range of jobs (your first job doesn’t need to be your dream job)

Applying to a wide range of jobs may be beneficial in your search for full-time employment, as it may increase the likelihood of you securing a position.

It’s important to recognize that your first job doesn't have to be the perfect fit for your long-term career goals, but rather a stepping stone that provides valuable experience, skills, and insights into your job preferences and professional aspirations.

Being open to and applying to a large range of jobs may lead to quicker employment, help you reduce the gap in your resume, and provide financial stability, while you continue to explore and transition to roles that better align with your ultimate career objectives.

5. Consider graduate school

If you’re a new college graduate looking for a full-time job you may also want to consider graduate school as a strategic move to enhance your qualifications and stand out in a competitive job market.

Pursuing further education may provide specialized knowledge and advanced skills that are highly valued in many industries, potentially leading to better job prospects and more rapid career advancement. For certain careers, such as those in academia, medicine, and specialized technical fields, a graduate degree may even be a prerequisite for entry-level positions.

6. Make your resume and the portfolio the best it can be

Your resume is often the first impression you’ll make when you apply for jobs. Even details such as bad grammar can deter a recruiter or hiring manager from advancing your candidacy. According to a 2023 study by MIT Sloan, job seekers with more than 99% of the words in their resume spelled correctly were hired nearly three times more than those with fewer than 90% spelled correctly.

If you’re on the hunt for a job after college, consider getting feedback from mentors or others on your resume who can help strengthen its appeal and check that everything about it is in good shape before you send it to prospective employers.

Beyond working on your resume, consider building a portfolio or a website to highlight your work and accomplishments.

7. Explore freelance and contract work

Exploring freelance and contract work may be a strategic move if you’re aiming to secure full-time employment. Taking on this kind of work may allow you to gain practical experience and showcase your skills in a real-world setting, making you a more attractive candidate for full-time positions.

Freelance and contract jobs offer the flexibility to work on diverse projects across different industries, providing a breadth of experience that may enhance your resume and expand your professional network. These opportunities may also enable you to develop a professional portfolio, demonstrating your capabilities and achievements to potential employers.

8. Research the current state of the job market

Researching the state of the job market may be worthwhile as it may help provide a comprehensive understanding of current employment trends, high-demand skills, and growth industries.

Building this knowledge may help you align your job search and skill development efforts with the market’s needs. Understanding which sectors are expanding may help guide you to focus your applications on industries with a higher number of openings, thereby improving your chances of securing a job.

9. Consider building a profile on a professional social media site

Building a profile on a professional social media site may be a helpful step as these profiles can serve as a digital resume, enabling you to showcase your education, skills, and any work experience to a vast network of potential employers.

By creating a detailed and engaging profile, you can make yourself visible to recruiters and companies actively search for fresh talent. The platforms also facilitate networking with industry professionals, alumni, and peers.

10. Leverage your college’s career center for help

Career centers offer a wealth of resources tailored to the needs of students and recent alumni, including resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and career counseling. These services can significantly improve your job application materials and interview performance.

Additionally, career centers often have established relationships with employers across various industries, providing access to job fairs, networking events, and job listings. The career center can also help alumni connect with a network of peers and professionals, opening doors to opportunities through referrals and recommendations.

11. Consider part-time jobs

You may want to consider part-time work, even if it isn’t directly related to your desired career path. There are a few reasons for this. First, part-time jobs can provide essential income, helping to alleviate financial pressures while you search for a full-time job in your desired field.

Additionally, any work experience at this stage in your life can be valuable, as it helps develop soft skills such as communication, time management, and adaptability, which are highly regarded in the professional world.

Part-time roles may also offer networking opportunities, potentially leading to unexpected career paths, or valuable connections that could assist you in landing a more desired position.

Lastly, engaging in part-time work can fill employment gaps on a resume, helping to present you as proactive and hardworking to future employers.

12. Consider training programs aimed at new college graduate

Applying for employer training programs can be a strategy for new college graduates seeking full-time employment, especially for those looking to enter industries that highly value specialized skills or on-the-job training.

Participating in these programs may allow you to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, making you more competitive and job ready. Furthermore, employer training programs may lead to permanent positions within the company.

13. Explore informational interviews

Informational interviews are a valuable tool, offering a unique opportunity for you to gain insights into your desired industry, company, or specific roles from experienced professionals.

These conversations provide an inside look at the day-to-day realities of working in a particular field, which may help you set realistic expectations and tailor your job search accordingly.

Moreover, informational interviews allow you to build relationships with professionals in your field, expanding your network and increasing the likelihood of discovering unadvertised job openings or getting personal referrals for open positions.

Final thoughts

If you're jobless after college, remember that you're still starting your professional journey. Sometimes, it takes learning a few new skills, making valuable networking connections, or tweaking your resume, among other techniques, to land your first role.