Why I left the office for remote work
I recently left my corporate job to work remotely from various coffee shops around town. At first, I was nervous and unsure about the transition, but now I’m loving the freedom and flexibility of remote work and I don’t plan on going back anytime soon! Here are 3 reasons why you should too!
Is It Right For You?
In a perfect world, you’d be able to keep your job and have a healthy, stress-free home life—but more often than not, going virtual means making a lot of changes. You might even need to move. Before taking a plunge into telecommuting, consider if it’s right for you by asking yourself these three questions: Are you naturally independent? Do you prefer working from home? Are there other real-life reasons that would prevent you from working from home regularly? If yes is your answer to all three questions, then working remotely could be beneficial.
What equipment do you need?
There are so many online tools now available to improve your workflow. If you’re working remotely, you’ll likely need a computer with an internet connection, but beyond that it gets pretty personal. Some freelancers use laptops; others prefer stationary desks or standing desks. It depends on your preference and how much space you have in your home or office. If you choose to use a laptop (and often if not), make sure it’s light enough to move around easily—some models can weigh up to five pounds! And don’t forget about accessories like file holders, presentation clickers, portable keyboards and wireless mice to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
How can you keep your skills sharp?
With a distributed team of virtual workers, you’re going to need a routine. If you can carve out a little time each day or week to meet up with your co-workers in person, that’s ideal. If that isn’t an option, set aside some time on video chat to connect on projects and get on each other’s calendars. Also try to connect over phone calls if you have access to free international numbers or software like Skype or Google Hangouts so it doesn’t cost you too much money. While it may not be as effective as face-to-face meetings, talking is one of our most important forms of communication—so don’t neglect it!
Where to find remote jobs?
When you’re looking to move away from an office environment, it can be difficult to know where to begin your search. One of my favorite places to look is RecruitmentFriday.com. Recruitment Friday focuses on full-time telecommuting jobs—including part-time and freelance positions. Many other sites offer free job postings but are often filled with lower-quality opportunities that don’t pay well or have bizarre requirements.
