How to Find Work in the Remote Economy (INFOGRAPHIC)
Brian Wallace, Founder & President, NowSourcing
Remote work during the COVID-19 has hugely grown in popularity and usage due to the millions able to work out of home. But even before the start of quarantine or the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work was growing in recognition. 29% of workers, before the pandemic, had the option to work from home at least part of the time, but only 5.3% of employees worked from home full time. During the pandemic however, it has been estimated that up to 50% of the American workforce could be working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Experts project that up to 70% of the workforce would work remotely at least 5 days each month by 2025.
Working away from the workplace is driven by a number of things, even excluding the current pandemic. Economics can play a major role such as during the Great Recession, many businesses were forced to downsize on office space and start encouraging employees to work from home. Advancements in technology like messaging apps such as Slack, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, and project managing apps such as Asana are all making working from home easier than ever before. Working remotely also removes the stress and hassle from commuting to work.
Remote work can also save employees and employers money with all the benefits it brings to the table. Those who work remotely love it - 99% of those who work from home would like to continue to do so, at least part of the time, for the rest of their working lives and 95% would recommend it to others. Workers that work remotely are also happier and more satisfied than those workers who work on-site. Remote work can also directly benefit how well an employee can work. While at home, workers do not have to worry about distractions like office drama, and can improve concentration and remove stress. Remote work also gives employees greater flexibility as they can work from anywhere they want to, removing wasted commute time and giving that time to work or spending more time with family. Money spent on dry cleaning suits, going out to lunches or coffee, gas for commuting, and vehicle maintenance, adding up to $4,000 annually can be saved while working remotely. Even working from home only 2 or 3 days per week can add up to at least $2,000 in savings.
Businesses can also benefit off of remote work - a Harvard Business Review study of US Patent Trade Office workers found a noticeable increase in productivity when workers switched over to remote work. When able to work remotely, 55% of workers would be less likely to switch to a job that does not offer a remote option. Offering remote work can also open a door to more people that would not be able to reach an office or to those who want to work remotely - 80% of U.S. workers would turn down a job that did not offer a flexible work schedule.
Learn more about how to land a remote job and where to start looking with tech and tips here:
Source: Nine2FiveJobSearch.com
About the Author: Brian Wallace is the Founder and President of NowSourcing, an industry leading infographic design agency in Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH which works with companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. Brian runs #LinkedInLocal events, hosts the Next Action Podcast, and has been named a Google Small Business Adviser for 2016-present. Follow Brian Wallace on Linked
