Gone are the days of “traditional” work environments.
Today’s workforce is looking for the
perfect position that will give them flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity
to advance in their career. Many are choosing and looking for remote jobs that
will give them all of these. But is this a realistic approach when deciding on
a career choice?
The landscape of working remotely
Before the pandemic, there were many challenges for
employees that were wanting to work remotely. Managing employees and keeping
them engaged with the rest of the staff was a challenge. Management debated on
the level of productivity that an employee could produce.
But since the pandemic, companies have found that
productivity levels have increased among those employees that work remotely
and, due to advances in technology, they are able to stay connected to their
staff, while cutting costs that are incurred by maintaining massive office
spaces. These shifts in workplace environments have created a culture for
employees to change the way they choose their future career moves.
Potential employees are now looking to find positions that
will give them better work-life balances, more freedom, proven levels of
productivity, all while staying connected and engaged with co-workers and
management. Technology has been an integral part of developing the new remote
working lifestyle. With video conferencing software, online meeting forums, and
collaboration websites, employees are able to have the satisfaction of working
from home and still stay competitive in their field.
Adapting to working remotely
There are unique challenges to working remotely. The most
obvious challenge may be the fact that the employee is not around co-workers
and management in a face-to-face setting, therefore there are less chances of
creating a personal relationship with those working in-office. This can be
viewed as a drawback, because when it is time for career advancement, a remote
worker may be overlooked because of “not being seen”. It becomes the employees
job to always stay relevant and heard in company meetings. A way to counteract
these occurrences is to take advantage of required in-office days. This will
ensure that management will notice the work you are doing and your willingness
to engage with co-workers and staff.
Although there are challenges, there are advantages to being
a remote employee. Being able to work from anywhere at any time allows a sense
of freedom and helps to promote a better work-life balance. Employees are finding times that they are
most productive and giving 110% on the job, while maintaining a happy and
healthy home life. Working remotely gives employees the opportunities to
complete their job, while still being able to make it to their son’s soccer
game, and be able to have dinner on the table.
The workforce of today is searching for a position that will
give them a competitive edge, allow for career growth, and showcase their
skills and talents, while allowing them to focus on their families and life
beyond the workplace. These positions are becoming more and more available as
they are beneficial to both employees and businesses.