The Ultimate Guide to Working Remotely: How To Make Working From Home Work For You

Providing more flexible schedules and freedom to balance work with personal responsibilities, like childcare. One study found that 75% of employees believe they experience a better work-life balance when working remotely and 57% say their stress levels are lower.

Potential savings in both time and money from reduced commuting. In the U.S., remote work has been shown to save the average employee 55 minutes per day. Considering that commuters report spending between $3k and $15k annually on commuting costs plus other expenses such as car maintenance, the savings from working remotely can be substantial.

Increased enjoyment of and engagement in work. A noteworthy 62% of workers feel remote work positively affects their work engagement and 54% say that have higher morale, leading to higher overall engagement and increased productivity.

Higher productivity and performance. Remote work can bolster productivity compared to a traditional office environment, presumably because of time saved on fewer distractions than in an office setting, such as office politics. On average, studies have found that remote workers outperform their office-based colleagues by 47%. Other research has shown that performance increases by 22% when employees are allowed to work from home.

Less exposure to common illnesses that spread in traditional workplaces. Remote workers take 50% fewer sick days, and in turn, this can potentially lower healthcare costs for employers.

Lower expenses related to work. While not specific to a traditional work setting, the average household in 2020 spent $1434 on apparel and in 2021, $359 monthly on meals away from home. Remote employees can reasonably reduce such expenditures.

Is your personality suited to working from home? Not everyone enjoys working remotely. Some find it isolating, for example, and are happier with an onsite job.

Are you good at taking initiative and managing your workload independently? Working from home requires a lot of discipline and self-management. You’ll need to take care of your schedule, prioritize daily tasks, and meet your deadlines without anyone watching over you.

Do you have the necessary dedicated office space at home for remote work? Even if it isn’t an actual home office, you will need a space in your home where you can work without being disturbed, and you will need the right technology tools, such as fast internet access and the ability to conduct video calls.

Will you have the support of other family members or roommates? The comfort of your home can be both a boon and a bane for work-life balance and overall productivity. Home distractions such as family responsibilities, pets, household chores, or even the temptation of leisure activities can encroach upon your work time.

Does your employer already allow employees to work remotely? Asking for remote work opportunities is easier if your company already has a system for remote employment.

How common is remote work in your industry? Do other companies similar to yours let their employees work from home? If your employer is afraid of losing workers to other companies, they might be more willing to let you work remotely.

Can your job be performed remotely? Remote work isn’t equally applicable to all job roles. While some jobs can be performed seamlessly from a remote environment, others may require hands-on interaction or involve equipment that can’t be replicated at home.

Do you sometimes get to work from home already? If you’ve shown that you can handle working remotely, it might be easier to transition to regular remote work.

Advantages to the Employer. As discussed previously, numerous studies in recent years have highlighted the positive impact of remote work vs an office job on employee productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, remote employees can often cover different time zones, which wouldn’t be feasible in a conventional office setting. If multiple employees are allowed to work remotely, requirements for office space can be reduced with the use of shared co-working spaces, saving the company money. One study found that companies can save $11,000 in overhead per employee who shifts to working remotely. It is crucial that the benefits emphasized in your proposal primarily concern the company rather than personal gains.

Compatibility with the Company’s Current Remote Work Policy. If your company already allows remote work, familiarize yourself with the existing policies and procedures. Identify the roles eligible for remote work and whether your role qualifies. Understand the company’s expectations regarding the frequency of remote work.

Your Remote Work Proposal. Specify the days and/or hours you propose to work remotely. Clarity is essential.

Ability to Fulfill Job Responsibilities Remotely. Specify the technology you will need to work from home, such as a computer, laptop, tablet, wi-fi internet connection, Virtual Private Network (VPN), or specific software. Will you request the company to cover any of these expenses?

Identify Non-remote Tasks and Provide Solutions. Acknowledge any tasks that cannot be performed remotely and propose how you would manage these.

Address Potential Issues and Suggest Resolutions. Could your absence from the office affect your colleagues? Identify these potential issues and propose viable solutions. For instance, if you mentor a colleague, suggest maintaining the mentoring relationship via regular video conferencing.

Data Security Measures. If your work involves sensitive client information, outline how you will secure this data. You could mention your commitment to using a shredder, employing strong passwords, utilizing antivirus software, and physical data security measures (such as locked drawers or safes).

Communication Strategy. Elaborate on how you plan to maintain effective communication with your team and superiors. Utilization of technology such as Slack, Skype, and Zoom can ensure seamless interaction, as can regular texts and conference calls.

Reporting Plan. To address management concerns about productivity, provide a strategy to report your tasks and progress regularly. For instance, you could maintain daily logs of your tasks and submit a weekly report detailing your accomplishments.

Start With a Trial Period. Suggest a trial period for the remote work arrangement in your proposal. Propose working remotely for one or two days per week for a specified period (such as the first few weeks or a few months). Also, plan for an initial review of the arrangement’s effectiveness, followed by periodic reviews (perhaps every six months).

Call to Action. Conclude your proposal with a request for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the proposal and any potential concerns.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Working remotely requires a specific set of skills, such as self-motivation, communication, time management, and proficiency with digital tools. Make sure to emphasize these transferable skills in your resume to show potential employers that you’re well-equipped for remote work.

Experience Working Remotely: If you have any previous experience as a remote worker, be sure to include it in your work history. This demonstrates to potential employers that you can thrive in a remote environment.

Technical Competency: Given the critical role of technology for remote workers, demonstrate your competence with the tools commonly used in remote settings, such as collaboration platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams), video conferencing software (Zoom, Google Meet), and project management apps (Trello, Asana).

Include a Remote Work Section. Consider adding a dedicated section in your resume where you detail your remote experience, skills, and tools proficiency. This helps to quickly draw attention to your readiness for remote work.

Express Interest in Remote Work. In your cover letter, explicitly state your interest and willingness to work remotely. This can be a simple statement like “I am particularly drawn to the flexibility offered by remote work and believe that my productivity and satisfaction increase in such an environment.”

Provide Examples: Use the cover letter to provide specific examples where you have successfully worked remotely or managed your tasks independently. This provides concrete proof of your ability to work remotely.

Communication and Collaboration Skills. Emphasize your communication and collaboration skills. Highlight any experiences that show how you’ve collaborated with virtual teams or how you’ve overcome the communication challenges inherent in remote work.

Proactive Problem-Solving. Show your proactive problem-solving skills by providing examples of when you’ve independently solved problems or handled issues that can often occur in a remote work setting.

Harness the Power of LinkedIn: LinkedIn has emerged as a powerful platform for job hunting, especially for remote jobs. You can use its search filters to specifically look for remote roles by choosing the ‘Remote’ option under the ‘Location’ filter. Furthermore, optimizing your profile to showcase your proficiency in remote work and connecting with professionals in your desired field can also increase your visibility for remote opportunities. Remember to actively engage in industry-related discussions and join relevant groups to stay updated about new remote job postings.

Websites for Remote Jobs: Use job listing sites that are specifically designed for remote work opportunities, such as FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely. Working Nomads is another popular site for job seekers and both Upwork and Fiverr.com are popular with freelancers who work virtually.

Networking: Leverage your professional network. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with individuals who are already engaged in remote work. They can offer invaluable advice based on their firsthand experience and might even be able to guide you toward career opportunities. Moreover, a well-placed referral can significantly improve your chances of landing a remote job. Participate in virtual networking events, webinars, and professional forums relevant to your field, as these platforms can provide opportunities to connect with remote workers, industry leaders, and potential employers. Remember, nurturing professional relationships today could open doors to opportunities tomorrow.

Company Research: To pinpoint remote-friendly companies or those with a fully distributed workforce, consider implementing thorough research strategies. Look for clear indicators in job descriptions, on company websites, or in news releases and articles. Companies that are remote-friendly often emphasize their flexible work policies, the importance of work-life balance, and their use of collaborative online tools. Understanding the remote work culture of these organizations will enable you to customize your resume to align with their core values and working style, thereby improving your chances of making a strong impression.

Interview Preparation: Prepare for remote job interviews by setting up a professional environment, ensuring a stable internet connection, and practicing common remote job interview questions.

Maintain a routine. Define a clear beginning and end to your workday. Address the toughest tasks during your most productive hours. Once the day is done, completely detach from work.

Establish a workspace. Assign a specific area in your home for work. This could be an entire room or a small section of your dining room. Decorate it with photos, artwork, and items that motivate and inspire you.

Choose comfortable office furniture. A good-quality ergonomic chair is a key investment. Opt for one that can be adjusted and provides sufficient back support. Your desk should allow you to keep your wrists straight when typing.

Lighting matters. Good lighting can boost both your mood and performance. If your workspace has a window, place your computer screen at a right angle to the natural light. Also, consider layering artificial lights.

Get dressed. You don’t need to wear formal clothes, but getting out of your pajamas can enhance your professional mindset. Change into fresh clothes every morning.

Limit distractions. Avoid activities like watching TV or browsing social media during work hours. Save these for break times.

Take breaks. Regular breaks can actually boost your productivity by refreshing your mind and body.

Don’t forget to have fun. Engage in an activity that helps you switch from work to leisure mode at the end of the day. You might listen to calming music or take a stroll.

Organize. Develop routines and systems that promote efficiency. Get a storage unit for your office supplies and use an online calendar to manage your time.

Monitor your work hours. It’s easy to lose track of the time you spend working. Aim for a schedule that you can maintain in the long run. Consider starting small and gradually increasing your work-from-home days until you achieve a balance that suits you.

Never stop learning. Career growth is important whether you work from home or in an office. Enroll in online courses, join adult education programs at nearby universities, or read industry publications.

Self-assess. Regularly evaluate your performance to identify ways to improve efficiency, time management, and stress levels. Modify your strategy as your objectives change.

Communicate with your supervisor. Balancing work and life becomes easier when you and your boss have agreed on expectations. Discuss the flexibility you need to thrive.

Have regular meetings with your supervisor. You may fear that working from home might hinder your career progression due to decreased visibility. However, regular planned meetings can provide more opportunities to set and review goals than working in an office.

Share your availability. Let your boss and colleagues know your work hours. Discuss how to handle emergencies outside of these times.

Take lunch breaks. Use your lunch break to maintain connections while working from home. Set a weekly lunch date at a local eatery to keep in touch with your office buddies or other remote workers.

Stay connected. Regularly attend business lunches and other events to enhance your network. Visit the office for staff meetings, celebrations, and other gatherings. Volunteer at your professional association’s local branch.

Keep colleagues updated. Share your contact information with everyone at the office. In case of urgent situations, let people know whether it’s best to contact you via email or phone. Regularly check your messages.

Inform external parties. It’s usually best to let clients and other contacts know that you’re working from home. As long as you maintain professionalism and high-quality service, they’ll likely be comfortable with the setup.

Get support. A robust support network boosts your confidence and productivity. Seek emotional and practical help from family and friends. Show your appreciation and be ready to help them in return.