How to Position Your Career for Remote Work

Remote work is a relatively new concept – some decades ago, it would seem almost impossible. But, with the globalization of the world and technology that’s improving rapidly, working remotely is becoming the new normal.

Working remotely allows you to have a more fulfilling career, while also offering you the opportunity to do that from anywhere you want. Remote work is great for people who live in places that do not have a lot of opportunities for their profession. They’re also great for people who would like to relocate or remain in a specific location, for reasons such as more affordable housing, cheaper commute etc.

Another benefit of working from home or anywhere is that it offers flexible working hours, making work more manageable for a lot of people. Unlike working in an office where you’re obligated to be in the office at certain hours, working remotely counters this. If you have other needs or obligations that require some time, remote work is certainly the best alternative for you.

The effect of the pandemic shot the world light years ahead in terms of off-site. A lot of people now rely on remote work to earn in the new times.

Working from home has led to a lot of debate in the professional world. What was once emerging slowly has evolved into what is now possibly the future of employment due to COVID-19.

So, if you’re looking at positioning your career or transitioning into becoming a remote worker, you’re in the majority.

Working remote isn’t as easy as it seems.

In this article, you’ll learn tips to help guide you as you transition from on-site work to becoming a remote worker.

Is Remote Work for you?

Knowing the reason behind the desire to work remotely should be the first thing you do when you think about making a career transition. If you can come up with solid reasons behind the desire to work remotely, it means you didn’t just catch the buzz around remote working. Putting thoughts into remote working and coming up with answers will give you the motivation you need to transition to remote work.

Things You Should Consider About Remote Work

While working remotely may seem dazzling in almost every facet, there are possible pitfalls that are masked by the reality and glamour surrounding it. This isn’t to say remote working is a disaster waiting to happen or that it isn’t a great experience. Because in a lot of ways, it is a joyous and liberating experience.

There are several facets of remote work that you may not be aware of. We’ve created a list of important things you should know before making the transition to work remotely.

• Remote work isn’t for everyone. Working remotely takes discipline and dedication. Some people simply can’t handle the distractions. To make this work, you’ll need to have a trial period where you try if you’re cut out for remote work. Also, you need a remote working plan to help you stick to tasks.
• At some point, you’re going to feel isolated. This isn’t a probability, at some point in your transition, you’re going to feel lonely. This is why it is important that you constantly engage in activities that help you stave off loneliness. While this will not necessarily stop it, it helps to be aware of its inevitability.  
• Your productivity can increase or it can suffer. Remote working doesn’t guarantee an increase in productivity as it also doesn’t guarantee a decrease. Remote working is different for everyone. So, you need to find what works for you and how best to go around your tasks to ensure and individual KPIs are met.
• You handle your own training. Naturally, employers provide paid training. In the remote working world, this isn’t very common. This is why you should be prepared to learn the required skills to boost your skillset on your own.
• You become self-sufficient. You have to learn to do things for yourself that you wouldn’t do otherwise. When your computer goes down for whatever reason, you have to turn into a technician to fix it. When you need to talk to a client about anything, you become a customer service representative. With working remotely, it is important to become a self-starter and self-sufficient.
• Ability to work random hours. If you work with a global team, the possibility of answering calls at strange hours at very high. This is why it’s important as a remote worker to be able to work at strange hours to meet deadlines or unexpected tasks.
• Have impeccable digital communication skills. Teams communicate with Microsoft teams, WhatsApp, email, Google Suite, slack you name it. This way you’re able to communicate with your team and productivity isn’t slowed.

•  Force yourself to have a routine and be disciplined. One of the benefits of being a remote worker is the freedom of having your own schedule. With your own schedule, your weekends can seep into your weekdays and nights can be your most productive time. 

This is one of the few perks of working remotely, but it is important to be careful. It could be a trap to decreasing productivity. While some companies maintain standard workdays even while remote, they do not enforce routines. Decide on a routine you can stick to that helps your productivity and allows you to live a flexible life.

Problems are bound to occur when you’re transitioning into becoming a remote worker. The key to excelling at remote work is to overcome every challenge or obstacle and come out victorious on the other side.

In today’s fast-changing world, remote working is increasingly becoming more prevalent. Transitioning into a remote worker will not only benefit you now but it also will in the future.

Working remotely can advance and empower your career, will give you the energy, time and flexibility you need to do your best work, invest in career growth and other interests, hobbies and have time to build more meaningful relationships.

The only downside to working remotely is you may never want to work in an office again.