You're ready for the big leap and want to start working online. Here's our advice.
Remote jobs are all the rage. The latest edition of LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends Report confirms this. According to the report, more than half of all applications (52% vs. 50% the previous month) were for telecommuting positions. Even more significantly, job postings that offer the ability to work remotely attract 2.2 times more applications than office-based jobs, according to a survey by Datapeople.
In other words, there has never been a better time for online jobs. Want to start working at home, but don't know how to make it happen? Here are some tips for working from home.
Working remotely: get organized
Making the switch from working in the office to working remotely can be complicated. Beyond the desire, you'll need to assess whether telecommuting (and we mean telecommuting 100% or nearly 100% of the time) is really for you. It's one thing to want to start working at home. But it's another thing to be able to really thrive in it.
Working remotely from home will allow you to:
- Be in control of your own schedule
- Spend more time with your family
- Avoid long commutes and the associated costs
- Eliminate daily friction with colleagues
- Work from literally anywhere
However, working remotely:
- Can be lonely, especially if you are primarily a social animal. In this case, starting to work from home can be a challenge.
- Another pitfall is that it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the work at hand. At the office, you always end up going home. At home, the boundaries between work and private life can easily become blurred. This can lead to burnout. In other words, it is imperative to get organized. Know how to disconnect!
All in all, being an efficient “remoter” requires self-discipline, a real sense of organization, not being afraid to work alone, and having real communication skills. Indeed, knowing how to make yourself understood when working remotely requires good oral and written skills.
How to get well-equipped for work from home
That's it. After self-assessment, you are ready to start working from home. So you'll need to get equipped.
1) Technology
The first point that needs your attention is the technology you will use. It goes without saying that since everything happens remotely, a (very) good Internet connection is essential. So is, for example, a good video installation. In a completely remote environment, video calls are indeed essential to maintain close relationships with customers, partners, and colleagues.
On the other hand, it is important to familiarize yourself with the collaborative work tool you will be using. Understanding all the features of a messaging application like Slack is a must.
2) The furniture
How to work from home today and be efficient also requires having the right furniture.
The chair is a friend of telecommuting. So don't skimp on the chair. It is not an expense but a real investment. Choose an ergonomic chair that will preserve your health, maximize your comfort and optimize your productivity.
The desk is also a key element. Of course, you can choose to work from a co-working space. But if your home is your main base, the choice of office cannot be underestimated. Choose it according to your equipment and create the atmosphere that will allow you to maximize your concentration in order to be productive.
The benefits of working from home
But beyond the mere physical aspect of remote work, it also requires adopting a true work ethic. These are principles that will allow you to take full advantage of the benefits of remote jobs. Amongst them:
No more morning rush to catch the bus or the subway. The result is more sleep and a much lower level of stress. So it's all good for your well-being and health.
No more suits or uncomfortable clothes. Dress as you are and as you want. Working remotely means that you are the master of your dress guard.
No more disturbances. there is no need to pretend anymore to be interested in the conversation of your colleagues who want your opinion on the latest reality show. You are 100% focused on your work. This is all good for your productivity.
Save money. With inflation climbing, saving money is a must. Working from home allows you to cut your expenses drastically (lunch at noon, parking fees, clothes, public transportation…). Isn't this a good thing?
And some pitfalls of working remotely
But, working from home can also have its pitfalls. One of these is the possibility of losing sight of the boundary between private and professional life. You need to set that boundary.
That is why it is very important to respect the work schedule that you have set for yourself and not to go overboard, to make a clear distinction between work and non-work times.
And if fulfilling your professional tasks at home does not allow you to draw this line, why not work, when the need arises, in a co-working space or from any other place that suits you? Working remotely means being able to work from the place of your choice, whatever it is.
Where to find a remote job?
The range of jobs that can be done at home continues to grow. Among the top working from-home jobs in 2022 were:
- Call center Representative;
- Senior Software Developer;
- Accountant;
- Bookkeeper;
- Digital Marketer;
- Social Media Manager;
- Project Manager;
- Data Analyst;
- Administrative Assistant;
- Help Desk/IT Support.
And this list is expected to expand further in the coming years.
So, how to find a remote job today? Recently, the platforms dedicated to remote work offers have multiplied, among them is Jobgether which has some features that make it unique. One of them is its flex score. It is an exclusive tool that, according to 33 different criteria, allows you to determine the flexibility rate of the job offered and of the company that is behind it. The higher the score, the more flexible the company is.
You can also search and apply for the latest work at home virtual call center jobs on Jooble.
Now you have all the information you need to start working remotely from home. It's up to you.