The equipment you need for a remote support job

Most remote customer service roles need less than people assume. Here is the real list.

What you need

• A reliable internet connection. Most employers ask for 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up as a floor, and many want you plugged in by cable rather than on wi-fi during shifts.
• A computer that is yours to use during work hours. Shared family machines cause problems the first time a call runs long.
• A wired headset with a microphone. USB is usually specified over Bluetooth, because Bluetooth drops.
• A quiet place to sit. Not an office, just somewhere a call will not be interrupted.

What employers usually provide

More than they used to. A good number of the roles on this site ship a laptop, a headset, and sometimes a second monitor before your first day. Listings here say so: look for the Equipment provided tag on the listing.

If equipment is provided, do not buy anything before your start date. Employers issue locked-down machines for security reasons and yours will not be a substitute.

What is worth buying yourself

If equipment is not provided and you are choosing:

• A wired USB headset in the $40 to $80 range. This is the one thing worth spending on — it is what the customer hears, and cheap microphones cost you calls.
• A second monitor, if your desk fits one. Support work means reading one thing while typing another.
• A simple desk lamp behind your screen, if there is any video at all.

You do not need a webcam for most of these roles, a mechanical keyboard, or a gaming chair.

Signs of a job worth avoiding

If a listing requires you to buy specific equipment from a specific supplier, that is the fee scam wearing a hat. Read the signs a remote job is a scam before sending anyone money.

Checking your connection

Run a speed test during the hours you would be working, not at midnight. Household internet is slowest when everyone is home, which is exactly when an evening shift starts.