If you haven’t been living under a rock, then you may have heard of the rise of the remote work era. And since you’re here, we can assume that you’re already aware and want to know what work remotely means.
We understand how confusing it can be since there are a ton of terms used to describe remote work like; online jobs, virtual work, telecommuting, and work-from-home.
Although there are a lot of names for this movement, the ultimate goal is the same.
Which is to be able to work from your computer and have the freedom to stay at home or travel while you work!
Work remotely means that you will not have the typical 9-5, sitting in a cubicle environment. With an online job, you can have more freedom and work almost anywhere.
However, remotely working is still a broad term that can be used to describe:
- People who work from co-working spaces or cafes
- People who work from home
- People who choose to travel while they work
- People who are hybrids, which means they work from home and come to the office a few times a week or month.
The biggest difference in the remote work movement is the location where the person chooses to work. That is why understanding your options is a crucial part in determining the right remote work path for you.
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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between Remote Employee vs. Remote Freelancer?
Even though working remotely means being able to work from a location of your choosing, there are still different options of how you can get started.
Remote jobs can be similar to a 9-5 in that you can find employee-based jobs. Which will allow you to have a steady schedule and work virtually as a member of the company.
If you find a full-time online job, you may also be given health insurance, 401k, and other advantages that will rival any 9-5 worker benefits.
A freelancer, on the other hand, is an independent contractor. Although you do not have a steady paycheck as a remote freelancer, you will have a more flexible schedule and have the ability to choose who you want to work with.
For individuals who are more free-spirited, this could be the best option since you are contracted for a specific period of time by a company, and either party can decide to continue to work together or part ways as soon as the job is finished.
Working remotely means having the freedom to choose the right working environment that fits your ideal lifestyle, whether that is to become a remote employee or a remote freelancer.
Remotely Working: Pros and Cons
Now that you have a better idea of what work remotely means, it is time to fully understand the pros and cons before jumping in.
Pro: Saving Time without the Commute
For most recovering 9-5er’s saving time by eliminating the commute to work is one of the biggest pros.
No more wasting time sitting around in traffic, no more aggravation and dealing with aggressive drivers. Now you can sit at home or at a cafe, without the added stress.
Not only will you be saving time from commuting, but money as well. An average person spends nearly $3,000 USD a year on gas. Think about what you can do with that money instead, like paying off debt, going on vacation, and anything else you can think of!
Pro: More Freedom to Stay at Home with Your Family or Travel the World
We have been conditioned to go on vacation 2-3 weeks out of the year and for the most part, you are not able to spend enough time with your family.
That is why having the freedom to work and live anywhere is a dream that many wannabe remote workers want to experience.
Working remotely means that you will have the ability to stay at home with your family and see your children grow, or be able to travel the world as a digital nomad.
This new found freedom is one of the most enticing benefits of being a remote worker, so make sure to take advantage of this opportunity!
Cons: Feeling of Isolation
Working remotely has its many advantages, but we can’t ignore that this lifestyle can be a lonely road to take.
Although we may love the idea of working from home, it can make you feel isolated. You do not have the same interaction with co-workers like you do in an office.
There are no longer coffee breaks where you can chat and gossip, and the comradery is gone, which makes communication and the feeling of being on a team a lot harder.
This is especially hard when you are first starting out. However, the feeling of isolation can start to lessen once you get used to your new environment.
However, if you are still feeling lonely and need interaction, a great alternative would be to work in a cafe or even a co-working space.
This will allow you to feel a similar buzz as the office without being in a cubicle.
Cons: Solely Responsible for Your Productivity
Let’s face it, having your boss and co-workers around can be a killer for your productivity. It’s easy to get distracted and oftentimes you are doing more talking and catching up than working when you are in the office.
Being at home can seem like a great alternative since you no longer have office distractions.
However, this can become a double edge sword since there are new distractions that you will be facing when you are at home.
For example, depending on your workspace and how disciplined you are, you can end up binge-watching shows on Netflix all day or get distracted by social media.
Or you may be at home with your family and become distracted by the tasks and errands that have to be done when you’re at home.
That is why before you even begin working remotely, you must set boundaries for your family and friends.
Let them know that even though you are working at home, you are still not available during office hours.
Setting boundaries for yourself and your family is crucial in order to make remote work sustainable.
5 ways to successfully prepare for the laptop lifestyle.
So… it’s been a rockyfew months, but a lot of growth has been happening personally and professionally. I can’t believe that the time has arrived and I am finally diving into the laptop lifestyle full time! There are so many doubts and fears running through my head every day. But as I have officially begun, […]
Is Working Online Right For You?
Now that you are familiar with the pros and cons of working remotely, it is time to figure out if this lifestyle is right for you.
Although it may seem like an ideal arrangement, it is not for everyone. That is why it is best to understand your working style, and what type of working environment you enjoy.
Are you someone who can be self-motivated, or do you need to be a part of a team to feel productive?
If you need to find more ways to help you prepare for the remote work lifestyle, try this article. It has a ton of tips on how to adapt to your new working environment.
Are you ready to Start Working Remotely?
Work remotely means being able to adapt your skills to fit the online jobs that you would like to land. You may be surprised that you already have enough experience to start working online right away. It is just a matter of creating your remote work resume and applying.
If you are unfamiliar with how to create a resume designed for remote work and want to save time, use PurpleCV’s services. They create a CV that is personalized to your skills. This means they write a resume designed to help you land your ideal job, with no templates and a quick turnaround.
However, if you do not feel comfortable that you have enough skills to start applying for remote work, then it is best to learn from experts who help individuals like you land their ideal online work.
We recommend taking a FREE online training with remote work expert Andrea Valeria, who has helped hundreds of people transition from their 9-5 to work online.
In the training you will learn which current skills you already have that will allow you to land a remote job sooner than you think. You may be surprised how many of these skills you already possess!
The Free Training will also help you decide if remote work is right for you and how you can land a remote job even without previous experience!
Last but not least, Andrea will show you how to create an action plan that will make the job hunting process a lot easier.
We know how overwhelming this process can be, that is why having an expert guide you through the process is crucial to your success.
How to Make a CV That Will Help You Land a Remote Job
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase. As working from home becomes the norm, more people need to know how to create a cv that will impress employers who are looking for standout […]
What Types of Jobs Can be Done Remotely?
With the surge of online work, there are more jobs for you to choose from. Depending on your current skills and your passions, you will have plenty of work as long as you know where to look!
Here are the the Best Online Jobs for Beginners:
Online tutoring: many new remote freelancers start out as English teachers online since there are often basic requirements in order to get accepted for the job. Companies like Qkids, VIPKids and Tutor.com are some great companies to get started.
Virtual Assistant: even without any experience, you can get a job as a virtual assistant as long as you are organized and a team player. A few companies that are hiring for virtual assistant jobs are Fancy Hands and VaVa Virtual Assistants. If you need a comprehensive guide on how to become a VA, check out this article.
Social Media Manager: think that all your time spent on social media is a waste of time? Not necessarily, you can use the new skills that you have learned to become a paid social media manager. You can showcase your skills on Fiverr or find jobs on LinkedIn.
Website Tester: If you love looking through websites and exploring the settings, then being a website tester may be the right online job for you. A few companies that may be hiring are UserTesting and TestingTime. For more info on how to get started as a website tester, visit this post.
Best Entry Level Work From Home Jobs – No Experience Needed
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase. With so many at-home jobs it can be daunting to search through all of them and it becomes even more frustrating when you are just starting […]
How to Find Legit Online Jobs
Now that you are familiar with the best online jobs for beginners, let’s talk about how to find legit remote work.
With the surge of remote work, comes the rise of online job scammers. So before you apply and send any personal information, make sure you do your due diligence.
A few things to look out for to make sure that the job is real is through their email and contact. Are the emails they are sending from the company website and is the person you are talking to an employee or did they just use their name and face as a decoy?
To get our comprehensive guide on how to spot job scams online, check out this article where we share the top ways you can figure out if the online job is legit or fake.
Work remotely means more freedom with your time, and energy, so make sure to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
It is an incredible lifestyle as long as it is the right one for you and if you are willing to do the work, it can be extremely fulfilling.
Now go out there and start landing your ideal remote work!
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