How to Decide If You Want a Fully Remote Job

From getting rid of lengthy commutes to promoting a better work-life balance, many people find a fully remote job attractive. Yet while some individuals thrive doing so on a daily basis, others prefer mixing remote work with a traditional office setting.

Which arrangement best suits you?

Answers to the following questions can help you figure out whether a fully remote job is right for you:

How well do I work independently?

While remote workers do, of course, still have people monitoring their productivity, success or failure depends heavily on internal motivation day in and day out. Reflect on how well you manage time, control distractions, and stay on task without someone routinely looking over your shoulder. People needing help in these areas may find it better to spend some time in the office.

Also, think about your need for feedback compared to running with a project on your own. As noted by Valerie Streif, senior advisor for Mentat, “If an individual is a type who likes to ask questions and get verbal confirmation/approval of their work from time to time, opting for an option where they spend some time in the office is a better idea. Working full-time remotely can be difficult for people who need this sort of interaction and validation.”

Am I sufficiently proactive?

Out of sight sometimes can mean out of mind. How good are you at making sure your voice is heard and your needs are met? Telecommuters must be excellent communicators who are unafraid to pick up the phone to ask a question or double check information. They make a point of staying in the loop and offering input. They realize choice assignments or promotions may not come their way if they don’t advocate for themselves.

If such actions seem uncomfortable or too time consuming, opting for some time in the office may prove easier.

Do I have enough friends/people to rely on for social interaction?

“This may sound a bit silly, but it makes a huge difference,” Streif says. “I have a friend who recently moved to Chicago for her boyfriend’s job. Her company wanted her to stay on full-time remote, which was great on one hand because she didn’t need to find a new job, but it has also been hard for her to make new friends in the city, and she finds herself alone all day.”

Some remote workers cherish their solitude and don’t think twice about lacking physical coworkers. Other telecommuters get their “people fix” by heading to a library, coffee shop, or coworking space. Some find satisfaction chatting with colleagues through social platforms or belonging to professional groups that meet often.

But many people enjoy the camaraderie of an actual office. They like face-to-face communication, celebrating occasions, and even chatting around the water cooler. If this rings true for you, a set-up that brings you in a day or so each week might be a good compromise.

Remember, flexible arrangements are not one-size-fits-all. True job satisfaction comes from finding what works best for you!

Start your search for a job that’s fully remote. 

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com 

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By Beth Braccio Hering | Categories: Work Remotely

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