The days of being able to commute to an office every day and spending your days there, in cubicles, are coming to an end. The remote work revolution has arrived, allowing professionals to telecommute and work from anywhere in the world. Some of the most popular jobs today are in the technology sector, with jobs like web development, teaching, and graphic design at the top of the list. Companies are also seeing the benefits of allowing employees to telecommute, letting them save money by reducing or eliminating office real estate costs.
Working from home used to be a privilege and a luxury reserved for a select few. While it still may be for some, more and more companies are allowing employees to work remotely. Whether for flexibility or productivity, some workers thrive on working from home. But before you decide to give up your cubicle and desk, take a moment to consider if working from home is right for you.
Are you considering a job that requires you to be out of the office? Working from home or from a remote location can be extremely lucrative, but it’s important for workers to know whether or not a remote job is a good fit for them. We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask yourself before getting started.
Why do you want to work remotely?
Working remotely allows you to set your own hours and work when it works for you. Tasks don’t have to be completed at a specific time, making them easier to manage. When you are working in a co-working space, you can see and interact with others daily. Also, if working in a co-working space, you will have to interact with other people. Working from home, you don’t have that interaction, which can lead to distractions and procrastination.
When considering remote work, you need to ask yourself why you want to work from home. Is it because you’re tired of commuting every day, or because you want to be closer to family? Or is it because you want full flexibility?
Can you concentrate while working remotely?
In order to effectively work remotely, you must first determine whether you can concentrate. Working remotely requires concentration, and especially for younger workers, working remotely requires a lot of self-discipline. Young workers tend to work more when they are working remotely. This does not necessarily mean they’ll be more productive.
Before beginning remote work as a full-time employee, ask yourself, “Can you focus?” Working from home isn’t always easy, particularly when your working hours are fluid. Commitment to your work and self is tested when you become your own boss. Some remote workers find themselves going into work late at night and coming back the next morning.
What is required for you to be successful in a remote job?
When you work remotely, it’s critical for you to ask yourself what’s required for you to be successful. If you apply for remote jobs but think that a remote job is just the work environment or job function, then you won’t be motivated enough to complete the position. You must first ask yourself what you want out of your remote job. Here are some questions you might ask yourself.
- What does it take to be successful in a remote job?
- What are some of the requirements?
- What are the steps?
- What is my exact role?
- What are the expectations?
- What do I need to do to be successful?
How would you find a remote job?
Many job seekers think the best way to discover a remote job is to browse through job boards. Although this method works, it can be quite time-consuming. Searching for remote jobs on job boards requires a lot of time, so owning, or having access to, a specialized job board is a time-saving option. At Jorcus, we help remote workers to find remote jobs.
Does this sound like the right job for you?
Before beginning a remote work, you need to ask yourself, does this sound like the right job for me before starting a remote work? You need to do research to find out where the jobs are by asking people. By doing your research, you can determine if remote work is right for you. You need to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
One good reason to ask yourself ‘does this sound like a right job for you’ is that it will help you test drive your career path. While working remotely, you are likely to come across many opportunities which may not make sense. But if you ask, “does this sound like a right job”, it will give you a chance to think of ways which can help you determine whether this is the right career option for you.
Working remotely is a fantastic opportunity. However, certain jobs are not suitable for remote work. For example, if you are an investigative reporter, you cannot work remotely. So, you should ask yourself ‘does this sound like a right job’ before starting a remote work.
Do you have a good place to work remotely?
Do you have a good place to work remotely? Working remotely can be an awesome experience, but if you don’t have the right tools, it can also be a stressful one. Something as simple as not having the right tools can leave you feeling frustrated and like your work isn’t good enough.
How would you manage your workload?
Working remotely is appealing for many reasons. First of all, we can enjoy life without interfering with work. Secondly, we can work from home, anywhere we want.
On the other hand, working remotely is not without its challenges. As you can’t do everything on your own, you need to learn to be your own boss. You need to learn how to motivate yourself and how to manage your time efficiently.
A remote job sounds good in theory, but you also need to ask yourself: How would you manage your workload before starting a remote job? There are many things to consider; such as, how to balance your remote work with our typical work, budget, how you deal with distractions, how you deal with loneliness, etc.
What time zone are you in?
Many remote workers work in different time zones, and it’s important to ask “What time zone am I in” before starting a remote work, especially if you’re going to work for a company that has clients in different time zones.
How would you deal with time zone differences?
Time zone differences can create problems when working remotely. You have to be aware of the time zone you are working in. If you are traveling, make sure you take into account time zone differences. If you are working in different countries, you need to be aware of the local laws.
How would you handle distractions?
Working remotely from home comes with its own set of distractions, and if you’re not ready, you’ll have a hard time staying focused. With distractions anywhere, from kids, to friends, to food, to television, you need to prepare yourself to stay focused.
How would you handle your social life?
There are going to be some social aspects you may encounter when living as a remote worker. You may be the only remote worker in a group of employees. You may be the only remote worker in a large company. Or, you may be the only remote worker in a smaller company with only a few remote workers.
Your social life doesn’t need to suffer just because you’ve chosen remote work. In fact, this lifestyle provides many opportunities for you to be social and meet new people. Just like any other workplace, you’ll encounter many people with whom you work closely. But, you’ll also be meeting new people all the time, from co-workers and clients, to contractors and vendors. So, ask yourself this question: What various aspects of your new lifestyle will be a challenge? What are the various challenges I may face while working from home?
Summary
In conclusion, remote work can be a great option depending on your personality and what you would like to achieve. For example, if you’d rather work on your own schedule and have more free time, then remote work is a great option. But if you enjoy being part of a team with face-to-face interaction, then remote work probably isn’t for you.