Have you ever had the
opportunity to work remotely? Is this something that has eluded you to this
point in your career? Are you hoping to make a change in the near future?
While there’s nothing wrong with working in a traditional
office setting, a remote setup can change your life forever (in a positive way,
of course).
With this, you can work from anywhere in the world, as long
as you have the tools and technology necessary to get your job done.
In the United States alone, the number
of people working remotely is closing in on 50 percent. There is no way of
knowing what the future holds, but there is good reason to assume that this
will remain the trend. Here’s why: it benefits both employees and employers in
a number of ways.
Here are several reasons why working remote is the only way
to go:
1. Freedom To Do What You Want
When you’re required to work from the same office, day in
and day out, you don’t have much freedom and flexibility. Instead, you know
that you’ll spend a minimum of eight hours a day in this space. Talk about
boring.
When you work remotely, you don’t have to be in the same
place (unless you want). One day you can work from home. The next you can head
to a local coffee shop or restaurant. From there, maybe you want to take advantage
of the adventure
tourism boom. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as your company is
happy with your performance.
Although the typical telecommuter works for a company
with less than 100 employees, employers of all sizes are looking into this
strategy.
2. The Best of Both Worlds
Depending on your circumstances and employment arrangement,
you may have the opportunity to work remotely on a part-time basis.
According to a survey by
GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, 50 percent of the United States workforce has
a job that is compatible with working remote at least part of the time.
With this arrangement, you have the opportunity to work
on-site when necessary, but to also take advantage of the benefits of working
remote.
Tip: if you’re interested in working remote but your
employer is unsure, offer to compromise with a part-time telework schedule.
3. More Time for the Things You Love
Have you ever held a
job where you spend a minimum of eight hours per day in the office? Did this
hold you back from dong the things you love?
This can be extremely frustrating, often to the point of
having to ditch one or more hobby in order to make a living.
When working remote, this is never a concern. You’ll still
put in your time, but since you’re not tied down to an office there is more
availability in your schedule to do the things you love.
A good example of this is somebody who spends several hours
each day commuting to and from the office. By cutting this out of your life, you’ll
have more time for the things you love, from photography to sports and much
more.
Find a Remote Gig
If there is no potential to work remotely within your
current company, it may be time to start your search for a new gig.
There are many ways to find a remote opportunity, with these
ideas a good jumping off point:
·
Online job boards. With the ability to search by
“telecommute” or “work from home” you’ll find opportunities that suit your
needs.
·
Social media. There is more to social media than
fun
and games. You can also use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to uncover your
next job opportunity.
·
Your network. Do you know somebody who currently
works from home? Would they be willing to help you land a job with their
employer? Don’t hesitate to reach out to everyone in your network, letting them
know what you’re trying to accomplish.
Conclusion
It goes without saying that some careers are more closely
aligned with working remote than others.
For example, the United
States Department of Labor notes that people in financial operations,
business, and management, have the tendency to work from home more often than
other professionals.
Regardless of your current career path, you should seek an
opportunity that allows you to work outside a traditional office environment. In
today’s day and age, this is the only way to go!
Do you have any experience
with telecommuting? Are you doing your best to find a job that allows you to
work remotely?
