COVID-19 has radically transformed attitudes towards the role of the office. Traditionally, it has been the centre of business activity. However, with many employees (at least temporarily) working from home, it has sparked new ideas about how and where we do our jobs.

As you eye a new career path, you might be seriously considering whether working from home is right for you. Being able to ditch a boring commute and cramped cubicle can be liberating. If that’s where you’re at, you probably want to know how to make it happen.

Here’s a look at what remote work is all about and what you need to know if your dream job is based outside of the office.
 

WHAT IS REMOTE WORK?

Working remotely, also known as telecommuting, comes in many forms. For freelancers or entrepreneurs, for example, it means you can have full control over your work conditions. For employees, it can range from being permanently based at home and never visiting an office to a more flexible arrangement with at least some visits to the shared workplace.

According to Indeed:

 

“The concept of remote work is that employees can successfully execute projects and daily tasks without needing to commute to an office each day. Different levels of remote employment opportunities exist, but each type provides the benefit of flexibility in an employee's professional and personal life.”

Although it’s done in many ways, the remote-work movement is gaining momentum.

RISE OF REMOTE WORK

Business leaders and commentators from many corners of the economy are predicting that the trend toward remote work will become a permanent fixture in the near future. Tobi Lutke, the CEO of Canadian e-commerce company Shopify, boldly declared that “office centricity is over.”

While it’s likely many workplaces will fill up again when the COVID-19 situation improves, there are signs a change is underway. In fact, Statistics Canada recently surveyed companies that see teleworking as relevant to their operations. The results revealed that, once the pandemic is in the past, 25% of them plan to give more employees the option to work from home.

REMOTE CAREER OPTIONS

Of course, the growing interest in working from home does not apply to many sectors of the economy. For example, in order for frontline workers to do their jobs, they need to be present in settings where there is in-person interaction. While it might not be feasible for nurses or dental assistants to telecommute, there are many fields that are already well-established as remote work-friendly or are heading quickly in that direction:

MARKETING Roles such as social media specialists and digital marketers.

TECHNOLOGY Roles such as cybersecurity specialists and networking administrators.

ACCOUNTING Roles such as bookkeepers, accounting specialists, and payroll professionals.

DESIGN Roles such as graphic designers, web designers, and app designers.

CDI College offers many accelerated, hands-on career programs in all of these in-demand areas. If you’d like to learn more about your training options, fill out the REQUEST INFO form.

TIPS FOR REMOTE WORKERS

If you’re exploring the idea of working from home, you might have already encountered some of the criticisms. It can be difficult to stay motivated when your TV or couch is tempting you from just feet away. Also, the balance between work and home life might disappear if family members are hovering around during virtual meetings.

Working solo can be daunting, but don’t worry. There are also many steps you can take to get the most out of the experience. Here’s a summary of key tips from articles in Forbes, Time, and Google:

• To get yourself in a productive mindset, find a place you can designate as your workspace. It might be an office, bedroom, or quiet nook.
• Ensure you have the right equipment and workspace to do your job effectively.
• Structure and schedule your time so that you can stay on track. This includes making room for breaks.
• If you aren't already creating to-do lists, this is the perfect time to start. They can help to boost your motivation.
• To make up for the lack of face-to-face time with colleagues, take advantage of messaging apps and other digital tools to fill in the communication gaps.

SUMMARY

As you look ahead to an exciting new career direction, you can count on the phenomenon of remote work influencing your opportunities. There are a variety of ways you can incorporate telecommuting into your work life, many fields in which it’s the norm, and simple steps you can take to make the experience successful.

As mentioned above, CDI College offers programs in the fields of marketing, technology, accounting, and design that could lead to remote-work jobs. Also, if you’re interested in getting a feel for what it’s like to handle assignments remotely before you graduate, you could also consider taking one of CDI College’s 100%-online programs.

To learn more, fill out the REQUEST INFO form.