Last Updated on May 23, 2022 by Saria

Is Working Remotely Right For You? How to Know

Working in your pajamas, no commute, flexibility.

The ideal life while earning a living.

Right?

Listen:

Working remotely isn’t for everyone.

Did you know that?

If you’ve never worked remotely before but think you might want to, then it’s best to explore if it’s the ideal option or work style for you.

You’ll need to think it through and make a conscious decision to work remotely before applying to any remote job.

Well, what are some things you should consider to help you decide if working remotely is right for you?

In today’s post, you’ll:

• Learn the different types of remote work.
• Explore your reasons for wanting to work remotely.
• Discover the pros and cons.
• Know the must-have skills you need.
• Discover remote work must-haves or essentials.

And by the end of the post, you should be closer to knowing if working remotely is right for you.

Ready?

Let’s dive in.

What is working remotely?

Working remotely is a working style that allows you to perform your job duties outside of the traditional office setting. You achieve your work goals successfully from any location you please or where you feel most productive.

But did you know that there are different types of remote working and one might be more suited to you than another? 

 Let’s go over the 4 different types of remote work.

1. Your traditional office with a work-from-home option

Companies with physical offices give employees the option to work from home one or more days per week. You go to work to a physical office, but you occasionally work from home. 

If you’ve worked like this before, you may not have realized that you have remote working experience.

2. A remote team working from one or a single time zone

Companies with a remote setup allow employees to work remotely with no expectations to come to the office even though there’s a physical office. The team, though, could be based in a single time zone. 

You get to choose to work from your house, your garden, or your local café. 

3. A global remote team working across different time zones

With this setup, there’s a skilled workforce located around the world. You could be living in any part of the world. You just need a laptop and access to reliable internet service to get your job done.

You’re part of a worldwide remote team with coworkers residing in different countries.

4. Fully remote team with digital nomads

With this type of remote working, some team members work while traveling the world. They are referred to as digital nomads.

They move from place to place across different time zones regularly while working.

Now you know the different types of remote working, think of the one you’d prefer.

Let’s move on to explore your reasons for wanting to work remotely.

Why do you want to work remotely?

You think working remotely is a great idea, and you want to take the plunge. Who wants to deal with the daily commute to and from work?

However, it would be best if you did some soul searching to determine exactly why you would like to work remotely and whether it’s a good or the best option for you.

You may have different reasons for wanting to work away from the office. Still, you’ll need to evaluate your current situation or identify why you want to pursue this route.

Tip: Make a list of all the reasons why you want to work remotely. Brainstorm and write down everything that comes to mind. 

Whether you’re actively searching for a remote or work-from-home job or just toying with the idea, this is a question the interviewer will ask you. Employers want to know what would motivate you to work remotely. So, you’ll need to be prepared to answer why you want to work remotely. 

Your reasons for wanting to work remotely may be valid. However, there are some you should avoid mentioning in an interview and some that are acceptable.

Reasons you should not mention at an interview:

• You don’t want to get dressed.
• You hate your daily commute.
• You don’t want to listen to your coworkers’ chit-chat all day.
• You have young children or an ailing relative, so you need to take care of them and work.
• You don’t want a boss looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re working.
• You want to save money on commuting, lunch, work attire, and childcare.

Reasons that are acceptable to mention at an interview:

• You’d like to work for a company that hires talent from anywhere in the world.
• You’d like to work on a team of global members.
• You’re better able to focus and be more productive when there are fewer distractions.
• You could have a better work-life balance that would allow you to manage your time and increase efficiency.
• You enjoy working independently and can self-manage your tasks efficiently.
• You like the flexibility remote work provides, and that would motivate you to work more productively.

Let’s suppose you’re ready to apply for a remote job. If your only reason is that it gives you the ability to work remotely, you need to re-evaluate why you want the job. Your interest should be the job itself.

Ok, so you have your reasons, perhaps at this stage, you’re fully convinced remote work is for you, or you’re still on the fence. But what are some pros and cons of working remotely?

Let’s explore some benefits and disadvantages of working remotely.

What are the benefits of working remotely?

You may know or have heard of the obvious benefits such as less time spent commuting, increased productivity, better work-life balance, less stress, better health, saving money, working in your PJs, and the occasional pina colada from a sunny beach.

But other surprising benefits come with working remotely.

Here are 6 ways your life can be different if you work out of the office.

1. You can’t catch or spread an illness in the office

One thing comes to mind, COVID-19. The reason why so many people, whether they were ready or not, had to work from home.

Working remotely gives you the option to locate your “office” anywhere you want. You have the added benefit of not being tied down to one location where an outbreak is most prevalent.

Your chances for contracting or spreading infectious diseases are reduced due to limited or no contact with colleagues and the public.

2. You can travel without having to use up vacation days

Imagine traveling whenever you wish. No need to use your vacation days (or waiting for your vacation) to visit your family who lives out of town.

Or being able to travel to different places, earn from anywhere in the world, meet interesting people all without using up your vacation days.

Your office can be anywhere if you have your laptop and a reliable internet connection.

3. You can become more independent and proactive

Being away from the office means that you won’t easily have someone to refer to if you run into challenges. For example, if you experience some computer issues.

But one great way to demonstrate your initiative is by troubleshooting or researching the answers yourself. You can also develop skills along the way.

Remote employers value this trait highly.

4. You can take care of your sick child without having to miss work

Imagine not having to arrange for someone to watch your child when she falls sick unexpectedly. Or not having to decide between you and your spouse, who has more flexible time to remain home.

No need to call your boss (and worry about the details you probably must share) to ask for time off. You don’t need to worry about taking time off and risk losing pay or your job.

You can get work done with your little one’s head pressed against your lap while you work from your bed. 

5. You use less plastic, so your contribution to the world’s plastic problem is decreased

If you commute to a traditional office for work, chances are you purchase breakfast and lunch during the workweek. Your meal package would consist of plastic utensils, lids, and bags, all of which contribute to the world’s plastic problem.

When you work remotely or from home, you might seldom order out (saving money in the process). If you eat at home, you reuse your dishware. You don’t use disposable cups, plates, or utensils.

Working remotely definitely helps you play your part in reducing plastic waste going to the landfill. 

6. Older workers can work past retirement

Studies have shown that people live longer, and it could mean that people would want and need to work past retirement.

 As an older worker, you may not wish to work around a rigid schedule or set hours, especially if you have a health condition. Perhaps you want to travel after retirement but would also like to work.

The flexibility that comes with remote work means that you can still work but differently.

Let’s now move to the disadvantages.

What are the disadvantages of working remotely?

While there are obvious benefits to working remotely, there are downsides too, just like any other job. 

Working remotely isn’t for everyone, and you may be swayed into thinking that it can be a bed of roses. Who wouldn’t like to just roll out of bed, make coffee, not dress up and head back to bed with their laptop?

Here are 6 disadvantages that may cause you to rethink your decision to work remotely.

1. You can feel lonely

Isolation is one disadvantage that is almost always mentioned in blogs or online communities for remote workers. It’s one of the major struggles of remote working, so it’s worth mentioning.

Human beings are social by nature, and interaction with others is something remote workers miss. 

So, if you like to hang out with your coworkers during lunch, love the hubbub of a busy office, or interacting with people, then loneliness is something you might struggle with.

2. You may overwork 

If you’re working from home, you don’t turn off your computer, jump into your car and head home. Therefore, your work may be accessible to you 24/7, and it may be hard for you to disconnect and call it a day.

You may even be inclined to work and start tasks for the next day if you’re bored because your work is within easy reach.

Having work readily accessible or within sight can result in no boundaries between your work and personal life.

3. You may be distracted by family

Working remotely or from home does have its’ fair share of distractions. Some you have control over if you’re disciplined enough, like deciding not to watch TV or be on social media when you’re working.

However, some distractions from family, friends, or roommates might require you to place some boundaries.

They can assume that because you’re working from home, then you’re always available to do house chores, run errands, or may even think you’re not working at all.

4. You may lose focus

If you work remotely, you may struggle with discipline and organization. 

It can be easy to lose focus since you’re not at the office. Without coworkers or the boss nearby, you might find it difficult to set your schedule or meet deadlines.

And if you’re surrounded by the comforts of your home, you may find it more challenging to concentrate and maintain focus.

5. You may need to attend late or early meetings 

If you work with a global team or have clients who live in a different time zone, you may need to be up extremely late or early to attend meetings or take calls.

Being part of a remote team means you will need to sacrifice staying up a little later or getting up a little earlier. You’ll also need to become familiar with the different time zones so that you know when a coworker who lives in another time zone is awake.

So, you will need to be flexible about times.

6. You may have to wait for answers 

Not having coworkers or a supervisor nearby to answer a quick question can pose a challenge.

Walking over to a coworker’s desk, talking face-to-face, or asking your question in person works better than sending an email. Emails are not always seen or read, and this can cause unnecessary delays and frustrations.

So, having to wait for a response can impact your duties and affect how you continue with other tasks.

Okay, so now you know some pros and cons of working remotely.

Did some apply to you?

Chances are some did.

However, everyone’s story is different, and some of the pros and cons may not necessarily apply to you. You’d know the advantages and disadvantages you’ll experience if you decide to work remotely.

Tip: List the pros and cons that apply to your lifestyle and work style. And then decide if the pros outweigh the cons.

Now, let’s move to the skills you need to be successful at working remotely. Also, these are the skills employers are looking for.

What skills do you need to work remotely?

In the introduction, I mentioned that working remotely isn’t for everyone. And it’s true because there are certain skills remote employees should possess. 

While you may have the necessary hard skills and experience to perform the remote job, there are must-have skills you need to work remotely successfully. Also, employers hiring remote workers will expect you to have those skills or traits. 

If you don’t have those skills, the good news is that you can learn them.

These are the skills you need to work remotely and what employers expect you to have.

1. Tech-savvy

You need technology to work remotely.

Remote jobs are not all technical. However, as a remote employee, you should know your way around certain digital tools, platforms and manage without the IT team by your side.

Companies hiring remote employees have various methods for communicating, collaborating, and accomplishing tasks. So, you’ll be expected to have some knowledge, experience, or to be technologically current, so you can come up to speed quickly.

You don’t need to have comprehensive knowledge of every digital tool or platform. Still, you’ll need to be comfortable learning and using new technology.

Here are some popular digital tools or platforms you should know if you want to work remotely: 

• Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Hangout.
• Collaboration & Project management: Trello, Asana, Evernote.
• Video Conferencing /Virtual Meetings: Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting.
• File-Sharing: Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox.

Before applying for a remote position, research the company’s methods for getting work done.

Also, you should research and keep up to date with the digital skills, tools, and platforms that are unique to your profession if you want to work remotely. 

Aside from being comfortable learning and using digital tools and platforms, you should know how to figure out some things on your own without the IT team next to you.

With technology comes occasional glitches, so having some basic troubleshooting knowledge will help you succeed at working remotely. Of course, companies with an IT policy may have procedures in place for handling technical issues, so you’ll need to adhere to them.

There’s a wide range of hardware and software issues you may experience, and some beyond your expertise. However, here are some common glitches you should know how to resolve on your own:

• The power button will not start the computer.
• Wi-Fi is not working.
• Your screen goes blank.
• An application becomes stuck or frozen.
• Your computer is frozen.
• Your mouse or keyboard has stopped working.

If you’re not a tech-savvy person, you can learn these skills. Here are some ways to improve your tech-savvy skills:

• Learn from others. 
• Enroll in online classes.
• Check YouTube for How-To Videos.
• Practice.

If you want to increase your chances of being hired for a remote position, you need to be tech-savvy. Not only will it make you more competitive, but it’ll also improve efficiency and productivity.

2. Strong communication skills   

As a remote worker, most of the ways you interact with your team is through written communication. Therefore, you should be able to communicate effectively in writing across all platforms.

Video conferencing or video calling is another form of communication for remote workers. Like written communication, you should be able to express complicated ideas clearly and confidently. You’ll also need to be professional, ensuring that you look presentable, your surroundings are tidy, and there’s no background noise.

Employers hiring remote workers will expect you to possess strong and excellent communication skills. It’s critical to a remote team’s success as it increases productivity and contributes to better team culture.

So, whether you’re sending an email, a text, or having a meeting on Zoom, your message or ideas need to be clear and free of errors. Also, you should reply promptly when your employer contacts you. If you can’t communicate properly, don’t respond to requests timely, this will lead to frustrations and delays.

You can demonstrate strong communication skills from your first contact with a potential employer when applying for a job:

• Ensure that you follow all the instructions on the job ad.
• Submit a well-presented resume or CV.
• Respond timely to their initial response.

3. Independence/Proactiveness

As a remote worker, your colleagues may be from different time zones, or you may not receive timely responses from the team. So, who you’re going to run to if you’re faced with an issue? 

Independence or proactiveness is one quality that’s highly sought by employers hiring remote workers. It’s the ability to get things done without handholding from supervisors, not waiting to be told, and using initiative when faced with challenges. 

As a remote employee, you’re expected to: 

• Be a self-starter.
• Proactively look for solutions.
• Make decisions with sometimes imperfect or limited information.

It’s hard to micromanage remotely. So, employers would rather employ individuals who can demonstrate that they are creative thinkers, curious, and take ownership at work.

Are you proactive and a self-starter?

Think of things you’ve done in the past. It could be an instance where you:

• Learned a new skill on your own for a role you previously held.
• Weren’t shy to ask questions to understand how things were done.
• Anticipated a problem and took steps to prevent it.
• Asked for feedback and acted on it.
• Organized a fundraiser.

Showcase examples of initiatives you took on your resume when applying for remote positions. 

You can demonstrate initiative during your job search too. If you’re applying to a remote position:

• Explore the company’s website.
• Learn about their CEO, products, and services. 
• Have a list of questions already prepared for your potential employer.
• Think of suggestions or ideas for their site, products, or services.

Having this level of preparation demonstrates that you used your initiative to gather information on the company instead of relying on the interviewer to tell you. It can also show that you’re motivated and excited to work with them.

4. Time Management 

In an office setting, your boss can walk by at any time, and this gives you some sort of boost to accomplish your tasks.

When you work remotely, there isn’t anyone looking over your shoulder. Companies hiring remote workers expect you to manage your time and be disciplined, to accomplish the tasks you say you will. 

You shouldn’t use your time for work to be on social media, binge-watching Netflix, or washing dishes just because a boss isn’t around.

Time management is one of the biggest struggles when working remotely. 

You need to set a schedule and routine amidst the distractions. If you want to work remotely, you must be able to organize, plan your time, and be disciplined to accomplish your assigned tasks. It calls for self-motivation and focus.

If you don’t have habits in place for managing your time, you won’t succeed at working remotely. 

Do you struggle with time management? Here are some warning signs:

• Always late or constantly misses deadlines.
• Procrastinates frequently.
• Always multitasking.
• Frequent unfinished tasks.
• You’re a perfectionist.
• You often work overtime.

If you plan on working remotely, here are some tips to help you get in the habit of managing your time: 

• Set weekly goals.
• Prioritize tasks based on importance.
• Set a time limit for each task.
• Keep a schedule and routine.
• Get in the habit of taking short breaks, as it will boost your performance.
• Use apps to track your time and productivity.

Working remotely can lead to overworking. Get into the habit of practicing time management techniques now if you’re considering going remote.

5. Focus/Self-Discipline 

Focus and self-discipline go hand in hand with time management. This skill is highly valued by employers when hiring remotely.

When you work remotely, numerous distractions can prevent you from accomplishing your tasks: children, pets, social media, television, a noisy neighbor, dirty laundry. 

You will need focus and discipline to work around distractions when working remotely. You won’t always have a distraction-free space.

Employers are aware of the distractions that come with working remotely. They have to trust that you’re doing your job and distractions are minimized while you’re working. Therefore, they expect you to be focused and disciplined enough to stay productive without a manager checking up on you all the time. They don’t want to micromanage.

Are you able to resist impulses, stay focused, and disciplined to complete tasks despite distractions? 

If you think you might struggle with focus and self-discipline and need a boss to keep you in check, then working remotely might not be for you.

If you want to work remotely but struggle with focus and discipline, here’s want you can do to prepare yourself for working remotely:

• Accept there’ll always be distractions.
• Know the hours when you’re most productive.
• Surround yourself with self-disciplined people.
• Exercise regularly, even if it’s a simple walk, to keep your mind sharp.
• Set small, simple goals and achieve them to keep the momentum going.
• Schedule specific times in the day for social media and television.
• Hold yourself accountable.

Focus and self-discipline don’t come naturally to everyone. But you must cultivate this skill if you want to work remotely.

6. Balance/Interests Outside of Work  

Why would employers be interested in knowing how you would balance work and life if you’re working remotely? Or how you switch off from work?

Because they know that without hobbies and things to do outside of work to help you switch off, you’ll experience burnout and decreased productivity.

In an office setting, when you leave work, you get to jump into your car and drive home. A break, nonetheless.

When you work remotely, especially if it’s from your home, there’s no getting into a car to begin your commute. Therefore, there’s no physical separation from work and home. Your commute might be from your workspace (bed) to the couch in the living room.

Your work is available to you 24/7, so you might be tempted to put in some extra time. Over time, work and life tend to blend with no separation. It’s easy to overwork when you work remotely, and that’ll lead to burnout.

Therefore, employers will want to know you’ll be capable of having a balanced life if you’ll be working remotely. They’ll expect you to accomplish your tasks and have time for your personal life and family. They’ll expect you to have interests outside of work.

Achieving a work-life balance is not always easy for persons new to remote work. So how can you start?

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Think about how you’ll handle work and home or personal life.
• Identify a space for working only.
• Identify interests and hobbies outside of work. Don’t rely on work to fulfill your social needs.
• Get enough sleep.
• Get in the habit of making time for yourself.
• Be ready to ask for support.

Balance is key when working remotely. You must be able to separate work and your home and personal life. If you can’t achieve a proper balance, you’ll either be working too little or too much.

Being able to focus and manage your time will help you maintain a work-life balance.

We’ve explored the crucial skills necessary for working remotely. However, each company is different, and they may look for additional skills and traits for remote employees. So, be sure to research a company you’re interested in if you decide to apply for a remote position.

Let’s move to the essentials required to work remotely.

What are remote work must-haves?

The most obvious remote work must-haves are a computer and fast and reliable internet.

For some remote jobs, that’s all you need. But in most cases, to ensure that you’re successful at working remotely, you would need more than just a laptop and the internet.

If you’re not comfortable when working, you will lose focus and motivation, resulting in poor work quality, and possibly your mental and physical health will suffer.

So, what are other essentials necessary for working remotely?

Here’s a list of some common remote work must-haves:

• A separate room or dedicated workspace
• Adequate lighting (natural and artificial)
• A desk/table
• Ergonomic chair
• Office supplies
• Printer with scanner
• Noise-canceling headphones or headsets
• Keyboard & Mouse

These are some of the most common essentials needed to work remotely.

However, some other essentials or requirements will be necessary for some types of remote jobs.

Some remote job postings will indicate the equipment and requirements you need. For example, a remote customer support job posting might state that you’ll need a distraction-free space, headset, and a landline. Or a transcription job posting might require you to have a transcription foot pedal, noise-canceling headphones, and transcription software.

The job posting might also indicate the physical requirements such as prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Some companies will even provide you with some essentials such as a laptop or even a home office allowance.

So, in addition to having some of the remote work-must haves listed above, you’ll probably need additional equipment or essentials because of the type of remote job.

Hopefully, at this stage, you’re closer to knowing if working remotely is right for you. So:

Is working remotely right for you?  

If you followed the tips earlier, you should have the reasons you want to work remotely and the pros and cons you’d face. 

Maybe you’ve decided what remote style is best for you and if you need to brush up on any of the 6 skills.

You may have also asked yourself some questions such as:

• How important is remote work to me? 
• Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?     
• Can I work alone for long periods? 
• Do I need a boss around to keep me on schedule?
• Can I communicate effectively both in writing and orally? 
• Am I good at time management, and can I stay focused? 
• Can I comfortably handle technical glitches on my own?
• Do I have a quiet area at home where I can focus on my work?
• Do I have hobbies that can help me destress?
• Will working remotely improve my work-life balance?

Maybe you’ve decided that working remotely isn’t for you and that’s ok. It’s better to think about this carefully than waste your efforts on something that really isn’t for you.

If you’re still undecided or unsure about working remotely, the good news is there’s tons of material online to help you make the right decision.

Many people have worked remotely. And during the COVID pandemic, some employees had to work remotely without deciding for themselves. So, you can read their stories and opinions on Quora, LinkedIn, or Reddit to get other perspectives.

If you’re serious about working remotely and think you don’t have what it takes, don’t lose hope. Work on the areas that require improvements. 

Deciding to work remotely is a conscious decision you must make. You must desire this lifestyle if you want to be successful at working remotely.

Conclusion 

Now I’d like to hear from you.

Is working remotely right for you?

What about remote working you think you might like or dislike?

Or maybe I didn’t mention something that should be considered for remote working.

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below.

If you’re ready to begin your remote job search, you can start with this list of companies offering remote jobs you can do from anywhere in the world. 

For more global remote job leads, check out my job leads page and be sure to subscribe to my mailing list for updates on new job leads, side hustles, saving money, and skills to learn.