If you currently have a 9-5 office job or maybe you’re looking at getting back into work, it can be difficult to know where to start. Is a working from home arrangement for you? The fact is that there are opportunities to work from home and these opportunities have been increasing over the last couple of years.
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Individuals are seeking to redefine the working world and job roles are being created for working from home or current roles have been restructured to suit remote work.
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Landing your dream job from the comfort of your own home is no longer wishful thinking, in fact it is a very real possibility. This article explores the avenues and strategies that can lead you to your ideal remote career.
Define where you currently are.
First of all, consider the current position that you are in. Are you currently in a job role that you enjoy but you want the role to involve working from home? Are you not enjoying your current career and are eager to explore the possible job opportunities that allow you to work from home? Are you currently unemployed or have taken some time off so you’re looking for a remote career?
What careers should you be looking at?
Many job roles have successfully transitioned to remote work settings, this is because of evolving changes in work culture and advancements in technology. I will list some of the careers that can be transformed into working from home careers:
- Software development
- Content writing and copywriting
- Graphic design
- Digital marketing
- Customer service
- Data entry and transcription
- Online teaching and tutoring
- Consulting
- Project management
- Virtual assistance.
Careers in these areas have seen people shift from an office environment to working from home or from anywhere really. As remote work gains popularity more career paths are adapting to a flexible work arrangement.
What careers can’t be completed from home?
There are some careers though that arguably would be difficult to maintain working from home such as; anyone in emergency services really; nurses, paramedics, police officers, firefighters. But hey you may be able to start a side hustle or organise for days at home to get any admin or correspondence completed.
Skill assessment.
If you fall into a category that enables you to consider transitioning to remote work or if you are career changing/ starting then start with a skill assessment. Write down and identify your skills and strengths. Write down what you know that you are passionate about and what you excel at. Remote workers often need to be self-motivators; does this align with you?
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Once you understand your skills, assets and what you bring to the table, start networking. Connect with other like-minded individuals and potential employers. Join remote work forums, attend virtual events. Networking can open doors to remote job opportunities that may not even be advertised by traditional means.
Remote job platforms: where to hunt for your ideal work-from-home position
Try freelancing platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr or freelancer. These platforms offer so many opportunities for remote work across various industries. Create a profile that really showcases your skills to attract potential clients who are looking for remote talent.
Keep an eye on job boards dedicated to remote work opportunities such as Remote OK, We Work Remotely or Flexjobs. These forums make it easy for you to put yourself forward to job opportunities from diverse industries.
Start doing some company research. Identify companies that have embraced working from home culture. There are many companies who now offer working from home contracts. Reach out to these companies directly if they align with you and express your interest.
Up-skill yourself.
If you find that you don’t currently have the skills you need for the career you are eyeing or you are looking for more qualifications, look at online learning and certificates. This will demonstrate your commitment to learning and will make you more competitive on the job market. Look at courses on platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning and Udacity.
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Optimize your professional online presence by creating a personal website or LinkedIn profile. A strong online presence can attract potential employers who are looking for remote workers.
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These are just a few strategies you can implement to navigate remote work opportunities and increase your chances of landing that dream job in the comfort of your home.
Transitioning your current job to remote work.
Transitioning your current role involves communication and negotiation. Start with educating yourself on the company policies. Does your company have existing policies on remote work? Check if there are any guidelines or precedents for employees working remotely. Speak to any employees who are currently working from home. This will give you a better understanding of the company’s stance on remote work arrangements.
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Assess your current role, is it feasible to transition to remote work? Identify specific tasks that can be performed virtually and consider how you would personally maintain productivity outside the office environment. Does your company offer other roles that can be transitioned into remote work? Can you create a role that can allow you to work from home?
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Once you have considered these things, develop a well-thought-out proposal for your employer outlining how remote work will benefit you and the company. Highlight any potential improvements in productivity, any savings costs and your commitment to maintaining or enhancing current performance. Highlight technology and tools and your familiarity with these, showing that you are well-equipped to handle the virtual aspects of your job.
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Prepare to address any potential concerns your employer may have, such as issues with communication, collaboration, productivity and maintaining team dynamics.
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You can offer your employer a trial period, suggest a length of time that you can demonstrate your ability to work effectively remotely. This way you can build trust with your employer and show them that the transition won’t adversely impact your performance.
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If a full time working from home arrangement is not feasible, you can propose a flexible arrangement where you work remotely on certain days. This can be a compromise that meets your needs as well as the needs of the company.
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Shift the focus from your physical presence at work to how the new arrangement will achieve results. Discuss how the new arrangement will meet or exceed your performance metrics.
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Have open communication, tell your employer your reasons for wanting to transition to remote work and clearly communicate that this is something you have given a lot of thought and consideration.
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Be prepared that you may need to negotiate with your employer so be prepared to compromise, open to suggestions and ready to address any concerns that the employer may have.
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Remember that each organisation has its own policies and culture so you will need to tailor your proposal to that unique organisation. Be patient as the transition may not happen straight away and may need multiple meetings.
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As technology continues to bridge the gap between physical offices and virtual workspaces, the potential for greater flexibility and work-life balance becomes increasingly evident.
Conclusion:
If you are seeking to transition your current role into remote work arrangements, effective communication is paramount. It is important to understand the benefits of remote work, addressing any concerns and being flexible to different solutions. You won’t know unless you ask, but before you do make sure you have equipped yourself with all the necessary knowledge.
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The future of work is evolving and remote work is becoming more commonplace. By you seeking the arrangement you may just be the one to pave the way for other employees or future employees.
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If working from home is important to you then I have no doubt that you will find something that works for you.
