Gas is still pretty cheap in the states, but it’s creeping up there. If you have a variety of basic office skills, a virtual assistant job could be for you!

When you are getting started on Elance, you might want to take a little less than you might normally, just to get started. But after that, you can boost your rate up, though there are still plenty of buyers posting jobs offering $3 an hour, but wanting $12 – $15 an hour worth of experience and quality!

Here are some recent listings from Elance. These “buyers” (people or companies looking to hire a “provider”–that’s YOU!) have purchased before through Elance and use the Elance escrow program.

I need someone who can help with a few routine day to day tasks that can be handled by email. I am looking initially for 2hours per day, 5 days a week.

I am looking for an internet savvy administrator with research skills. Please specify your hourly rate.

I am looking for a internet researcher to go to specific job websites to find out who is hiring for specific jobs and then compile the company name, Human Resources decision maker, address, phone, and e-mail address in an Excel spreadsheet. Familiarity with salesforce.com would be helpful but not required.