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Last Updated on July 11, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
Have you ever been stuck in rush hour traffic and found your blood boiling? Have you ever walked into work only to sit down at your desk and wonder if you really need this job? If either of these situations sounds familiar, or if you came up with a few of your own, then you are far from alone.
In fact, world’s drive to ditch the 9 to 5 positions has led to a stark increase in “work from home” positions. As of 2015, just over 24% of all workers in the US did most or all of their work right from home.
So, how can you make the change from office to home office while receiving a pay increase large enough to afford nice restaurants, and have enough time in the day to bask in the sun? Here’s what you need to do.
Fill Out Your Resume
Chances are you may not have worked in a remote position before, but you might have been in situations where you had little to no supervision. Maybe you’ve worked on a team with people from different departments, or reported to a manager in a different city or time zone. If you have things that pull you from this decision and make it harder for you to move on it just might be a little harder to do the initial jump. The jump seems a little more far away if you’ve lost your job and are now stuck with the debt but this should definitely not be the reason to back up. Make your journey to financial freedom is a success.
Even if the only “telecommuting” experience you’ve ever had was calling a tow truck when your car broke down, you’ll need to show when you have been self-reliant, focused, and managed your time wisely. Make sure to point out how you have relied on your own research skills and ability to think critically during the workday.
It is also a good idea to point out how great your communication skills are. Obviously, you’ll want to your resume to have perfect spelling and grammar but you should also show how you have taken the initiative to help move things along during a project by communicating with your boss. It’s what every employer is looking for.
Are You Tech Savvy?
Before you can start enjoying the warm waters and sun laden beaches of Orange County, you need to know what industry you will be working for and how to adapt to a company’s software. For instance, two separate health care companies are almost 90% likely to use different software even if they offer the same services.
Luckily, if you know your way around a computer and prior experience working with software (if you run any programs, you already do) then you should be able to adapt in a heartbeat. Make sure you have a high-speed internet connection, a phone number where you can be reached at all times, and a computer that can handle the tasks you’ll be given.
In some cases, the company you choose to work for may even provide these, which makes life a whole lot easier. If you fall under the independent contractor label, as most writers and graphic designers do, you will have to supply all of your own tools.
What to Expect
While working in the comfort of your pajamas and having a schedule flexible enough to work around your life sounds peachy keen, it does take determination to stay on task. The temptations of social media, endless days at the beach, and never-ending excitement in Orange County can be tough to resist.
Remote workers who stay focused and work ahead often work around 4 days a week, which leaves them plenty of time as well as a nice paycheck to enjoy the finer things in life. Can you imagine spending 3 to 4 days out of every week sunbathing, eating at fine dining restaurants, or whale watching? Even on the weeks you have to work longer to meet a deadline, the shoreline is only short walk away!
So, what are you waiting for? If you’re tired of the 9 to 5 drag and think you have what it takes to work from home, go for it. Millions of Americans have already made the switch, and so can you.
