Despite the end of the pandemic, remote work is here to stay. Remote Work offers several advantages compared to onside work, like improved work-life balance and no longer needing to commute.
That said, how has remote work changed the way we build our careers?
According to some studies, working online jobs stifles career advancement because the lack of face-to-face interaction makes it more challenging to network with others.
However, others say the exact opposite: remote work improves the way people build their careers.
They cite factors like better inclusivity, more job opportunities in a remote setup, and career flexibility as the reason for this. In addition, there are many ways to improve your career advancement while working from home.
Want to know more? Here’s an in-depth look at how remote work has changed how we build our careers.
Better Inclusivity
Perhaps the best change remote work brought in how we build our careers is making work more accessible.
Remember, regular people aren’t the only ones looking for work. Before, people like Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and stay-at-home mothers rarely made the cut for a traditional job.
However, the rise of remote work has leveled the field for these people.
No longer needing to work onsite gives PWDs and seniors easy access to their assistive devices, improving their productivity. Also, remote work’s flexibility enables working moms to balance work and raising a family.
Remote work also lessens the risk for these people to experience discrimination in the workplace. So long as they accomplish their work well and on time, they’ll be treated like any other employee.
Better Work Opportunities
Many Filipinos dream of working abroad, and who can blame them? Aside from bigger salaries, working overseas also provides better work opportunities.
However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine on the other side. First off, you’d be living so far from your families for years on end. Second, even if your salary is higher, your cost of living is also higher.
What if there’s a way that you can work with foreign clients from the comfort of your home? That’s right, I’m referring to remote work.
Thanks to apps like Zoom and Skype, you can work with any client worldwide. In fact, many foreign employers prefer hiring Filipino remote workers since we’re highly skilled in our chosen fields and are proficient in English.
It’s Much Easier to Gain Skills and Experience Now
Working in a remote setup means having more time on your hands since your schedule is more flexible, and you don’t have to commute anymore. This allows you to spend more time with your loved ones and enjoy your hobbies.
Aside from these, another way to use your free time is by honing your skills or learning new ones. Many online courses are available for you to choose from, ranging from how to use Microsoft Office Tools to learning a programming language.
Many companies even support their remote workers’ upskilling efforts by giving their employees opportunities to work on other projects to gain experience.
Remote Work Can Make Networking and Building Relationships More Challenging
Not all changes brought by remote work help us build our careers. A common challenge is having to build relationships and networks without face-to-face contact.
This means you must be more intentional about seeking networking opportunities when working remotely.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate this. First, you have to be more proactive. Try joining online remote worker groups and attending virtual conferences relevant to your field.
Additionally, when you’re experiencing difficulties at work, try to reach out to your more experienced colleagues for advice and help. This can also help you get to know them better and build rapport.
New Work Setup, New Ways to Build Your Career
The rise of remote work forever changed not only the way we work but also how we build our careers. As you can see from the points above, much of the changes are actually beneficial.
So, does a remote set-up help or hinder your career? It’s still too early to tell, but given the points above, I’d bet on the former.
If this convinced you to consider working remotely, but you don’t know where to start looking, Remote Staff has you covered. Our jobs list contains plenty of available positions for you to choose from.
When you’re ready, sign up with us today here. Good luck!
