Can you imagine earning your livelihood while sunbathing at the beach? How about meeting with clients while preparing your family’s dinner? With modern technology and liberal work culture, you can actually do these things today.
Before, work was synonymous with corporate offices and job sites. But with the rise of urbanization and the need for improved employee productivity, companies are slowly becoming open to innovative ideas. Remote working, in particular, is slowly gaining ground in the workforce due to the win-win situation it presents for both the boss and the employee.
Are you ready to gain freedom in your work? Remote working just might be for you.
What is Remote Working?
Remote working is working outside the traditional office. It is synonymous with telecommuting and teleworking. From design firms to online schools, various companies today offer remote working options to their employees.
What’s great about remote working?
This kind of work offers benefits for both employee and company. For the former, he or she can choose to work anywhere and (usually) anytime. You have the option to work from home, from a co-working space, or even on the road. This flexibility allows one to maintain work-life balance. Also, in the case of freelancers, remote working opens up job opportunities from different parts of the world. It allows you to enter the global market within the comfort of your home. If you happen to work for a country with high wages but live in one with low living costs, you’ve hit a jackpot.
If you’re an employer, meanwhile, remote working can allow you to save on desk space and overhead costs. By allowing people to work where they wish to, you can expect them to become happier at work. Happy people, more often than not, work more productively and deliver better results. With remote working, you can also choose to hire people from another country and discover talents that aren’t available within your immediate vicinity. Websites such as
This sounds too good to be true…is there a catch?
Remote working is awesome, but like any other job, it entails hard work. For one, employees have to accommodate the working hours and time zone of their clients. Sometimes, remote work requires doing the night shift or going beyond the traditional eight-hour schedule. It may also require you to learn a new language or adapt to other cultures. In addition, a remote worker is usually responsible for processing his taxes and state benefits, unless he or she is formally employed by a company.
In the case of the employer, there is an initial fear that remote workers might slack off because they are not personally supervised. But this risk can be eliminated by developing disciplined employees and using digital monitoring programs such as a work timer or a screenshot app. Apps such as Screenshot Monitor ensure that employers are getting their money’s worth despite the nature of the remote worker’s job.
Employers might also encounter some challenges in communication due to limited interactions. Yet they can always require their workers to meet up occasionally or engage in regular conference calls or chats.
Who can engage in remote work?
With today’s technology, various industries nowadays are open to remote working. While there are always jobs that would require physically present workers, you’ll be surprised that even doctors have options to work from home.
Remote working is widespread. Among the more common industries that hire remote workers are IT & Networking, Data Science and Analytics, Web and Software Development, Administrative Support and Customer Service. Creative industries and legal companies also hire remote workers. Technically speaking, whatever your experience is and wherever you came from, there is always a possible opportunity for you when it comes to remote working.
What items do I need to start?
Each remote worker has a unique story to tell when it comes to how they started their jobs. Generally speaking though, you need to invest in three things: a good computer, a stable internet connection, and your skillset.
Depending on the nature of your job, it would be wise to secure efficient equipment to help you do your work. For example, if you need two monitors to do architectural work, don’t hesitate to get these. Though these tools might be costly at the start, they will be your primary means to earn through remote working. If you wish to save on equipment, you can always buy pre-loved ones at websites such as Discount Electronics or Amazon’s Warehouse Deals.
Good internet is also a must if you want to do your job properly. If you plan to work while traveling, make sure that the place you will visit has a good internet connection. Otherwise, discuss an offline setup with your clients to ensure you’ll still be able to work even if internet is not available.
Lastly, develop your skill set to become competitive. Remember that as you open your market to the world, you’ll be working against thousands or even millions of people who are also in the same industry. To secure clients, you have to stand out from the crowd and always be at your best. Try online courses at websites such as Coursera to help you learn without having to leave home.
How do I turn remote working into a long-term career?
One thing that keeps people from going into remote work is the fear of job insecurity. Similar to establishing your own business, remote working has its ups and downs. Especially if you focus on short-term projects, your income might be thriving on some days and pitiful on others.
To ensure you’ll always have food on the table, aim to get long-term clients. You can seek clients on online marketplaces such as Upwork and Freelancer, but it pays as well to widen your network in the real world. You are still dealing with real people, and although remote work might be nice for introverts, it’s not an option to completely avoid real life interaction.
Be active in professional organizations, attend industry conferences, and keep in touch with your colleagues. You’ll be surprised that there are companies within your immediate vicinity that actually use freelancers on a long-term basis.
To ensure you’ll always have food on the table, aim to get long-term clients. You can seek clients on online marketplaces such as Upwork and Freelancer, but it pays as well to widen your network in the real world. Be active in professional organizations, attend industry conferences, and keep in touch with your colleagues. You’ll be surprised that there are companies within your immediate vicinity that actually use freelancers on a long-term basis.
Whether you seek clients online or in the real world, make sure that you complete each job and meet deadlines successfully. Over time, you’ll be able to command better pay and attract more clients with positive reviews and a heavy resume.
Overall, remote work is a new way to earn money. It takes into consideration your lifestyle choice and work preferences, but like any other job, it requires dedication and hard work. At the end of the day though, the rewards can be great and will allow you to lead the life you want to live.
Are you ready to take the plunge and give remote working a try?
If you’re already working remotely, what has worked for you and what have been some of your struggles?
