Should You Apply for a Remote Job - Sterling Career Concepts

Should You Apply for a Remote Job Should You Apply for a Remote Job? Another great guest post this one on remote jobs by Jackie Edwards. Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash Working remotely may have seemed out of reach several years ago, but in 2018, remote jobs are gradually becoming a trend in many industries.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported  23% of employees in 2015 reported doing some of their work in a remote location. This number is only rising, thanks to the fact that businesses are realizing how beneficial it is to their company to allow employees to work remotely. With a  growing number of freelancers  and programmers working from home, it is said that working alone can actually boost work productivity, as there will be far less distractions than in an office environment crowded with sociable coworkers. Furthermore, companies that implement remote working can not only experience a decrease in their real estate costs and overhead, but it can also reduce employee turnover rates and boost the overall morale of employees. Since more businesses are offering candidates the option to work wherever they please, it may work to your advantage to  update your resume template  to reflect remote-working skills, like having knowledge of Skype or Slack. The question remains: should you follow the trend in remote working and apply for a job that allows you to be a location-independent employee? In determining whether or not a remote job is right for you, consider the pros and cons: Pros of Remote Jobs One of the most obvious advantages of remote working is the time saved from commuting. Instead of spending an hour driving to work each morning stuck in traffic, employees can avoid the annoyances of commuting and use that time to get tasks done. Without a commute, you can choose to work from anywhere you want, like a coworking space in your city. This freedom will maximize what you make of your workday, as you can choose a location that helps you to be most productive. Remote working also allows you  to manage your own schedule, which gives employees the chance to work when it is most convenient for them. Not a morning person? Work in the evenings. Need to run your kids to school each day? Now, you can, and you don’t have to worry about missing out on working because you can start your job afterwards. Remote working is therefore an extremely appealing opportunity for people who need flexibility, and especially for people who want to spend more time with their families. Cons of Remote Jobs Alongside these advantages come the potential negatives of remote working that you should consider before you take a location-independent job. Some of the cons of remote working include: Loneliness â€"you won’t have your  coworkers to collaborate with  and talk to during the day Overworking â€" with your work always at home, it will never truly leave you and you can technically be working all hours of the day Underworking â€" without face-to-face interactions with your boss or manager, your accountability will naturally decrease and could lead to less productivity Limited team building â€" as a remote worker, you are your own team With both many pros and cons to remote working, you must be aware of all of the elements that stem from location-independent careers when deciding if it is the right move for your career.