Working from home is becoming increasingly popular. Even before the current global pandemic, home working was on the rise due to technological advances that made it convenient and efficient.
Homeworking models are not just cost-effective and convenient for companies, but they are also great for employees. Increased flexibility in working hours, the lack of a need to commute, and the ability to look after children, pets, or other dependents are all benefits of working from home.
It is no surprise that more and more people are simply refusing to apply for jobs where travel to an office every day is still required, and who could blame them? The advantages of home working are simply too great to miss out on!
However, it can still be difficult to choose which company is right for you. If you are looking for a home working job, you may not know what you need to consider. Thankfully, we have written this short guide to help you to know how to make this important decision.
Identify Your Own Skills
When choosing any job, you need to work out what your own skills and interests are. Don’t just choose a job solely based on it offering home working—make sure that what you will be doing actually suits what you are good at doing and what you enjoy doing.
Research Their Working Procedures
What does the job role actually entail? The more details about this you can find out, the better. You can ask questions in the interview such as: what are the working hours? What platforms and software do you use each day?
Companies using the remote working model usually make use of digital workplaces, where employees can communicate and collaborate effectively from anywhere. If you find that when you start working for a company and they don’t make use of this, make it a suggestion to do so. You can learn more about this on Simpplr and see how it benefits all involved.
Research the Company Culture
Unfortunately, even when working remotely, a company culture that doesn’t suit you is best avoided. A culture of conflict, stress or even exploitation will still be present even if you are not in the same room as your co-workers. If in doubt, check online reviews on sites like Glassdoor from current and former employees.
Consider Perks and Benefits
Does the company offer generous holiday, healthcare, and sick pay? Don’t forget about these important points just because the company offers home working! You are entitled to them just as much as employees who are in the office.
Consider Learning and Development Opportunities
Does the job offer training? Is this a career path that you want to follow? If the answer is “no”, then you may want to reconsider—however convenient the daily working procedures are. Sometimes, you have to think long-term. However, if you just want a quick temporary job to bring in some income, this may not be applicable to you.
Think About Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance can still be an issue when working from home—in fact, it can even be more of a challenge in some cases! Make sure that working hours are clearly defined and stuck to, as some employers may take the attitude that overwork is acceptable when it is from your own home.