The Growth of Remote Work
Some employers might think that allowing people to work from home causes poor productivity and greater distraction. However, the opposite seems to be true. A 2017 study by Stanford University reports that employees who worked from home completed a full day’s work that in-office staff did not.
According to studies reviewed by Global Workplace Analytics, two-thirds of respondents want a work-from-home career. Telework is a result of evolution in labor. Millennials and baby boomers differ in the workforce due to the flexibility and tech-focus of this kind of career. With less attrition, reduced turnover, and better productivity, more companies now offer remote work-from-home jobs.
Top Work-From-Home Jobs
The number of remote-friendly roles in the workforce continues to grow nationally and globally. You can find job applications online through portals and websites. Some industries with the best work-from-home jobs are education and health services, computer and IT, wholesale and retail trade, and customer service. The following are several more examples:
- Call center representatives – Call centers hire teleworkers for work-from-home customer service as well as retail and sales.
- Virtual assistants – As independent contractors, virtual assistants help businesses stay organized through administrative tasks.
- Translators – In this self-employed occupation, translators must be fluent in at least two languages and work in a broad range of fields.
- Data entry and transcription – Transcriptionists work for corporations, legal firms or insurance agencies by inputting information into a company’s computer filing system.
- Tutoring – Online education careers are great for both experienced teachers with top degrees as well as college students who enjoy tutoring peers.
Entry-Level Remote Jobs
Some work-from-home careers require higher education, years of experience, or a certification. For example, professors who teach virtual classes still must have a college degree and teaching license. However, tons of entry-level remote jobs exist for those who want the experience or need a temporary alternative:
- Customer Service Rep – Often, corporations outsource support services to teleworkers who answer phones or respond via email and social media to consumers who have questions.
- Blogger – As a blogger or freelance writer, you have a lot of freedom in choosing what to write about, how often you write and how you promote your work. This can be a full-time gig or a supplement to a career.
- Data Entry Clerk – Data entry clerks work for multiple industries and may have little to no experience. They enter information into databases based on written records and audio files.
- Account Coordinator – This entry-level remote job provides administrative support to sales firms. Duties include managing client relationships, scheduling appointments, and researching prospective clients.
- Administrative Assistant – A great role for a detail-oriented person, admin assistants write emails, manage files, and arrange travel plans for supervisors.
Work-From-Home Companies
GWA finds 95% of employers reported telework opportunities reduced the number of workers who left their jobs. Many companies shift to remote work to keep employees happy which increases productivity and, sometimes, sales profits. When searching for businesses that offer online positions, here is a list of work-from-home companies:
- Healthcare and medical insurance agencies like UnitedHealthcare and Humana Inc seek to fill computer- and phone-based jobs to carry out administrative tasks and manage cases.
- K12, Sylvan Learning Centers, and other online learning companies have freelance and part-time positions for those who teach and appreciate easy access to education.
- Telecomm companies such as AT&T and Boost Mobile employs many people in work-from-home customer service jobs to manage consumer accounts and problems.
- Financial services including Advance America and JPMorgan Chase have full-time, part-time, temporary and contract jobs in which staff handle customer care and business management.
Applying For Remote Work or Online Jobs
You can find online job listings on various websites and portals. Interested employers contact applicants to schedule video or phone interviews. Hiring managers typically ask more than the basic “tell me about yourself” questions. Remote workers have a specific set of expectations to meet and must prove they understand how to work from home.
Employers trust remote personnel to be responsible and diligent. Build an entry-level resume that proves you are a high achiever, can follow instructions and meet deadlines without direct supervision. When writing a good cover letter, talk about self-motivation and what makes you the ideal worker.
Remote Job Interview Questions
Although there are common job interview questions that apply to remote work and regular office jobs, some questions are specific to work-from-home jobs. These often include how you organize your workspace and prioritize tasks. This list includes a few sample interview questions:
- What does your home office look like? – Employers may ask this to ensure you work from a comfortable place that encourages productivity and prevents disruption.
- How do you schedule your day? – This question helps administrators know when they can get ahold of you and when to expect you to turn in assignments.
- What apps or systems do you use for communication? – Communication is essential to out-of-office work so managers need to know how to reach you in the quickest way possible.
- How would you minimize distractions when you work from home? – Everyone faces the challenge of staying focused when working from home and your employer trusts that you have strategies to limit interruptions.
- How do you keep yourself motivated? – Companies want to know that you can stay on task and remain productive when no one is watching.
- Will this be an additional job for you or are you looking to leave another job? – This question is typical for freelance contractors and part-timers. Be honest about your intentions.
- What do you need in your physical workspace to be successful? – With this question, managers make sure you have the proper equipment for completing tasks in case they need to provide materials for you.
Although some strategies may differ when interviewing for an online work-from-home job, good communication and polite behavior do not. Show your positive communication skills by sending a follow up interview thank you letter via email. This proves your ability to be a responsible and accessible worker.
Work-From-Home Tips
Remote work has a myriad of differences compared to working onsite at a job. But with more freedom, there also comes a lot of responsibility. It is important to think about how these discrepancies impact your efficacy and motivation. If you want to learn how to work-from-home online, consider these working from home tips.
Create a Dedicated Work Space
Those with online jobs who work from home usually have a dedicated workspace. Devoting a room or area of your home to work separates personal life and professional responsibilities. It can also prevent diverting your attention when you have everything in one place and don’t have to wander the house for materials.
Dress Casually, But Professionally
Your work-from-home outfit should be a balance between feeling comfortable in your space and looking like the professional you are. You wouldn’t roll out of bed and show up to the office in your pajamas, so don’t clock in at home ready for naptime. Besides, if your supervisor calls you into an unexpected video conference, you may not have time to change.
Create a Schedule and Stick To It
Set you worktime hours apart from your personal home time. Take regular breaks to stretch and rest your brain. Schedules keep you on task and are an easy way to teach your brain to focus for a measured amount of time. The Pomodoro technique is a famous concentration strategy that leads to a more effective and balanced work day.
Pay Attention to Burn-out or Workaholic Tendencies
If you’ve ever had an unfinished project stuck in your head, closing the laptop and walking away may seem impossible. Perfectionists and overachievers often burn themselves out while working from home. Try to resist the temptation of getting everything done at once. If you think you haven’t worked enough, think about what you achieved rather than how much you worked.
Practice and Value Communication
An unfortunate drawback of remote work is that it can feel lonely. Communication means more than reporting to your boss with progress on assignments. Keep consistent emails with coworkers and cherish those face-to-face meetings over video chat. Be social to avoid feeling isolated but refrain from letting it become a distraction.
Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Most people with online jobs work from home but this lifestyle is not for everyone. First you must decide if you can take on the responsibilities of a remote role. Can you dictate your own schedule and complete assignments before deadline without direct supervision? Solutions and tips for first-time teleworkers exist to help people learn how to work-from-home.
Certain shifts are better than others for particular careers. Whether you are a night owl or morning person could affect how well you finish a task. If you feel distracted by your phone, turn off all personal devices or put them on do not disturb. Telework might entail sitting for long hours. If this seems challenging, you can always take short, periodic walks or invest in a standing desk.
Benefits of Working From Home
It’s not surprising that many people like the idea of working from the comfort of their own homes. However, remote work is not supposed to be easier. Instead, you should think of it as relocated office space. Still, plenty considerable benefits of working from home come to both employers and employees.
Employer Benefits
- Without having staff in the building, work-from-home companies have reduced costs in real estate for renting less physical space.
- Businesses with work-from-anywhere positions erase geographic boundaries, provide access for disabled workers and expand the talent pool for employment.
- With increased employee satisfaction, personnel are less likely to quit or have an unforeseen call-off that costs the business potential sales.
- With the convenience of many communication channels, employers cut down on wasted time during meetings so associates can finish their work without interruption.
Employee Benefits
- Telework allows you to have a more flexible day plan so you can take breaks when you need them and prevent draining your brain.
- Through customizing your office and being in the comfort of your own home, you might find it easier to focus and enjoy your work.
- When your office is only a few steps down the hall, you save money on commuting costs, workplace attire and expensive lunches or coffee orders.
- With a remote job, you may be able to make money on the road if your company has a work-from-anywhere policy.
