Work From Home
Find Fun and Flexible Work-From-Home Options
Working from home is an excellent option for college students, new parents and seniors. It provides flexibility and convenience while allowing you to continue earning the funds you need to support yourself and your family. The number of work-from-home options are expanding daily, and at least half of all workers in the U.S. do some amount of their work from home. To find out how you can join this community, continue reading below.
Work From Anywhere
Working from home, also called working remotely, does not mean you always have to work from your house. Depending on your job, you can work from a park, a coffee shop or a co-working space. There are many options to help increase creativity, reduce stress and find more fulfillment in your working life. Working from home allows you to skip the morning commute and control your day. Remote workers are found to have healthier habits.
Benefits of Working from Home
Working from home is steadily increasing as a way to allow for more competition in the workforce and better pay for workers. You no longer have to limit your job search to jobs available in your state or even in your country. You can explore a variety of options that allow you to work part time, full time or create your own hours while never having to visit an office. You can also supplement your current income.
Who Should Work from Home
Working from home is an excellent option for parents and caregivers of older adults. If you are constantly balancing your work schedule against trips to the doctor with your loved one, you could benefit from a flexible work-from-home position. Additionally, if you are a senior who has retired from your full-time job but want to find a way to supplement Social Security or pension payments, you can find a work-from-home position that offers you the ability to work at the times that best fit your schedule. College students who want to get a head start on their careers can find remote jobs that allow them to get experience in their field while earning an income.
Work from home options can work for just about any person. However, you should consider some personality qualities that may make working from home less desirable. If you thrive in social environments and love having co-workers around you, working from home may not be right for you. Working from home requires being very independent in your work duties. You will need to manage your time on your own and hold yourself accountable for deadlines. If you need frequent feedback on your work, it may not work for you to have a flexible, remote work position. If you are determined to work from home despite these drawbacks, you may be able to find ways to stay connected regardless of your location.
Environmental Benefits of Working From Home
Working from home can help preserve the natural world by reducing energy output and waste. Office buildings require a large amount of energy to power lights, computers and other machines. Additionally, work supplies such as paper contribute to the waste produced by private businesses. Pollution from motor vehicles makes up a large amount of CO2 emissions, which leads to global warming. You can help reduce the impact of greenhouse gasses on the environment by driving less. When you work from home, you can save your driving for meeting with family and friends or going to the grocery store. You can also save your company money by working from home. Employers spend around $10,000 when bringing on a new employee for expenses such as equipment, training and desk space. Many employers also offer benefits such as coffee and snacks. You can help reduce these costs and leave room in the budget for salary increases and professional development opportunities.
The Interview Process
When you are applying for remote jobs, the application and interview process may be more extensive than for other positions. This is because employers want to ensure that they are making the right decision without having the ability to meet you in person. Video interviews, testing and trial projects helps to insure that you are the right fit for the job. This process also works to insure that employers can offer a competitive wage for jobs as they have considered the best candidates possible. If you suffer from social anxiety or feel uncomfortable with in-person interviews, this may be a great opportunity for you to show your skills. Remote work allows you to be judged based on your skill level instead of your physical presentation. You may be tested on industry knowledge or need to take a work culture test. Measures such as skill tests or personality tests help employers decide if you will be able to do well in the company. Retention is very important to companies due to the high cost of hiring.
Technology to Consider
When you decide to pursue work-from-home positions, you will need to invest in some tools to make sure you are successful. One of the most important factor to working remotely is a stable internet connection. You should not rely on Wi-Fi for your work-from-home position. It is best to purchase a router and designated modem that will support high speeds.
You will also need a reliable computer. For positions such as freelance writing or marketing, you can use a laptop, as these positions do not require a large amount of processing power. However, if you are a developer or an engineer, you should invest in a desktop that will allow you to work without having to purchase an external hard drive. It is important to be well versed in communication and collaboration tools used by your remote position. You can find online tutorials that will help you navigate new tools. You will want to download any software you will use in your job in advance so that you can work with it so that you can avoid technical difficulties on your first day of work.
