You might be one of the ten thousands of individuals working remotely nowadays. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world's economy, there are already people who have chosen to work in the comfort of their chosen place and schedule. Some prefer to have a career change by becoming freelancers, enjoying the benefits of having a more profound work-life balance. For beginners, working remotely may sound too good to be true. So, if you're planning to just start a career by working remotely, you should be aware first of the things nobody tells you about it.
Wondering if those things can make you stop or pursue working remotely? Well, let's find out from this article.
Get Informed! 5 Interesting Things You Need to Know about Working Remotely
Working remotely is more than just a job and career opportunity. Behind this amazing work trend, there are interesting things you need to be aware of:
#1 Working remotely is not as easy as 1-2-3
A person planning to work remotely must not think that getting a job can always happen overnight. It is not just about signing up on a platform, checking some qualifications, and sending proposals to clients looking for assistants. There several things that need to be put into consideration. Thus, it is not as easy as 1-2-3!
First, you need to evaluate your skills, qualifications, and experience. You can list them down so you can come up with your strengths and weaknesses. When done, you can now match your qualifications from the requirements of a hob you would like to apply for.
Check and sign up for online job listings and platforms. Nowadays, there are various sites where you can browse thousands of jobs that may interest you. Top job searching platforms include Upwork, Flexjobs, Fiverr, Hubstaff Talent, and more. Most of them allow you to create a free account and upload your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. This is a critical phase because your portfolio and resume can make or break your application compared to other remote workers.
Once your application is sent and an employer reaches out to you, that doesn't end there. It is a crucial process, as well. You should ready yourself for a series of interviews, training, and follow-ups. There's always a challenge for you to impress the employers. If you're competent and passed all the interviews and training, you can now be hired, and the real work challenge now takes off.
Based on this process, every remote worker must understand that it is important to invest in the proper tools, equipment, and knowledge to take remote working seriously. There are job postings that have technical requirements, aside from the skills and qualifications preferred.
You need to be prepared with all the tools needed, such as desktop or laptop computers, headsets, cameras, tables, chairs, and other accessories for your workstation.
#2 Working remotely is definitely rewarding
All the difficulties during the application and hiring process will be paid off once you get the job. Freelancers are often paid at a higher rate compared to jobs under agencies. Writers and proofreaders, for instance, can be paid an average of $10 per hour. Other jobs like web developers, project managers, and system administrators offer higher pay, especially for those who have prior experience.
However, when you're already working on your job, you should also start investing in your future. It's not only about the money but also for new knowledge and skills. Always keep in mind that everything nowadays keeps innovating. New trends keep on evolving, and a lot of opportunities are opening. Never cease learning because it will help you keep adept with what remote working requires.
Working remotely is rewarding- that is true! But you need effort, skills, and consistency to excel in this work setup.
#3 Working remotely can help you achieve work-life balance better
Working remotely offers a more flexible time compared to when you're working for an agency or company. When you're working from home, you do not need to spend time commuting. That will save you more time and effort. Therefore, there will be more opportunities to create a balance between your work and personal life. You can have more quality time with family and indulge in more me-time moments. You can also have time to start a new hobby or continue your passion for something you love to do, like blogging, gardening, and others.
#4 You still need a designated office when working remotely
You may often hear that online jobs can be done anywhere and in the comfort of your own schedule. However, it doesn't mean that you will disregard the need for a comfortable workstation. You should not forget that you should have a dedicated space to work with greater focus and lesser distractions.
It is advisable to invest in the right tools and equipment to include in your workstation. For instance, using a standing desk can be better than using a traditional office table. Since it will be easier to switch between sitting and standing, you can get rid of a sedentary lifestyle's possible bad effects.
You can also invest in an ergonomic vertical mouse to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other strain-related injuries.
There are still other ergonomic devices and accessories such as desk converters, anti-fatigue mats, monitor mounts, ergonomic keyboards, and ergonomic chairs.
#5 Working remotely is a thriving and promising trend
Remote working is a thriving work trend today. The many benefits it can provide can make it a preferable career choice for more people. This is promising, too, because of today's continuous technological innovation and work-from-home job opportunities. This will continue helping more and more people as they start getting aware of working from home advantages.
Common Challenges when Working Remotely
#1 Communication issues
#2 Time Management issues
#3 Poor task and responsibility delegation
#4 Distractions
#5 Risks of living a sedentary lifestyle
#6 Poor health habits
Final Thoughts
If you dream of building a successful career by working remotely, you should be ready to get started the right way. Keep learning with today's new and innovative trends. Be updated as well with how to use tools and technology to make your work better. You can also list down mistakes you've encountered and formulated the possible solutions. Working remotely can be challenging at first, but with the right tools, knowledge, and strategies, it will be an absolute promising work trend for everyone.