Working from home has been on the radar of professionals for years. It used to be reserved for the occasional furniture delivery or an in-a-pinch necessity; but now, as technology has improved and professionals seek more flexibility, major organizations are incorporating remote work policies across the board. In fact, with almost half of U.S. professionals working from home on occasion, it’s so common these days that there’s actually a national holiday week celebrating remote work -- and it kicks off today!
So, why is the workforce getting behind this trend? For professionals, the benefits of remote work may seem obvious -- like saving time and money by not commuting, increased productivity, and more time to spend with family. What you may not realize is that remote work has benefits for employers as well -- it saves money, helps attract and retain top talent, boosts employee morale and productivity, and improves overall company culture.
If a new gig with more flexibility to work from home is what you’re after, there are millions of jobs on LinkedIn and the right one for you. Here’s how to find it:
Narrow your search. If remote work is a priority for you, begin your job search by researching which companies are offering work-from-home opportunities. You can search for remote jobs on LinkedIn using pre-set filters like the “remote work” option, or use the open search bar to type in key phrases like “work from home.”
Be clear about your priorities. If working from home some of the time is a non-negotiable for you, it’s important to be honest during the interview process. More than two-thirds of hiring managers say candidates ask about opportunities to work from home and the majority say they would not disqualify a candidate for doing so.
Master your environment. Once you have the job, set yourself up for success when working remotely. While almost one-third of professionals report working from their couch or bed at home, having a dedicated workspace that mimics the office can help improve productivity and avoid distractions -- like household chores or family pets -- that might interfere with concentration. Keeping a similar routine when working from home as you do when you go into the office may also help with productivity -- whether that be heading to the gym before work, your morning coffee, or a lunchtime break.
Stay connected to the office. While the benefits of working from home outweigh the challenges in most cases, there can be some downsides to working remotely. More than one-quarter of professionals say one of the challenges they face is that they aren’t able to get questions answered or easily run ideas past co-workers. Scheduling time for regular check-ins with your boss and co-workers on work-from-home days can help overcome that feeling of disconnection. But, if you’re videoconferencing with the office, keep your attire in mind: while 26% of professionals say they are just as productive in pajamas or gym clothes as in work clothes, it might send the wrong signal to call in wearing sweats.
October has the most new jobs posted on LinkedIn, so now is a great time to prepare for your next move. Here are just a few roles that have remote work options available right now: Cloud Implementation Specialist at IBM or Marketing Designer at HVMN.
With millions of jobs available on LinkedIn, you may be surprised by how many offer remote work opportunities.
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Methodology: The survey was conducted online for LinkedIn by Censuswide from August 30 - September 6, 2019, amongst more than 2,000 working professionals ages 18-74 and 1,000 hiring managers across the U.S.