The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot about the way we work, and there's far more flexibility and job types available to job seekers now. In this guide, we'll talk about working remotely, freelancing, working part-time, hybrid jobs, and flexible working. We'll take a close-up look at what each job type and working style means in everyday life, their positives and negatives, and how to 'kick ass' in each style!
What is Remote Working?
Working remotely means you work somewhere that's not a regular office, like your home. Remote working, or 'working from home' has become much more common since the pandemic because its flexibility can help people get more done in an environment they are comfortable in. Jobs like customer support, software development, and content creation are some examples of jobs that you can comfortably work at home.
The Positives of Remote Working
More Flexibility - you can decide where and when you work. This can make it easier to manage your work and personal life.
Increased accessibility - people with disabilities can work from home with access to what they need.
Increased productivity - you can design your workspace just for you and reduce distractions to get more done.
More opportunities - if you can manage the different time zones, you can work remotely with companies worldwide.
The Negatives of Remote Working
Loneliness - remote work often means 'alone work', and some people find this disconnection from co-workers difficult.
Difficult Teamwork - remote teams are more complicated to collaborate with and need more careful organization.
Technology Problems - you might have problems getting IT support and all the equipment you need for your role.
Work-life balance - it can be hard to keep your work and personal life separate when you work from home.
How to Kick Ass Working Remotely
Working remotely and kicking ass is all about learning the differences, getting prepared, and improving your skills. To overcome the Negatives of remote working, learn how to make your mental and physical health a priority, how to troubleshoot problems with software, and which skills to prioritize for self-improvement. Here are some articles to help:
What is Freelance Work?
Freelance work means providing services to different clients on a project-by-project basis. Freelancers choose their own schedules and rates, and they often work for multiple clients at the same time. This kind of work gives you more freedom but might have less job security and benefits. Typical freelance jobs include graphic design, writing, and consulting.
The Positives of Freelance Work
More flexibility - you have control over your schedule and work environment.
Choose your projects - you have the power to say yes or no to everything you do.
Less hours, more money? - you can work for two or three clients and earn more money per hour by setting your own rates.
The Negatives of Freelance Work
Unpredictable income - you can't rely on a standard income every month.
All the responsibility - it's up to you to pay your taxes, keep your financial records, register your company, make a website, find clients, and get projects!
No standard benefits - depending on your location, you may not get health insurance and you won't be paid for time off.
Loneliness - Potential for isolation due to lack of social support network in a traditional office setting
How to Kick Ass as a Freelancer
Being a kick-ass Freelancer takes specific skills you might not need for other job types. Successful freelancers specialize and develop expertise in a specific area, have great time management skills, and are disciplined with the work they accept and decline to make sure they always finish on time. Prioritize taking on manageable workloads that you can meet to a high standard so clients learn when they hire you, they get excellent results quickly. Happy clients talk!
Here are some helpful articles to get you started on your Freelance journey:
What is Part-Time Work?
Part-time work is usually the same as any other regular job but with less hours ( usually less than 35 hours per week). These jobs might have less benefits but often come with more flexible schedules. Part-time jobs are ideal for people with other important responsibilities, such as young children or education, and for anyone who can't commit to a full-time schedule. Jobs in retail, hospitality, and administration often have part-time options, and some companies offer time-sharing where two employees share one full-time schedule.
The Positives of Working Part-Time
More flexibility - improved work-life balance.
Balance your commitments - offers a way to balance work with childcare, getting a degree, or other commitments.
Low commitment trials - a good low-risk option for trying new careers or industries before fully committing.
Gradual change - a great way to transition into retirement smoothly by gradually reducing your working hours over time.
The Negatives of Working Part-Time
Less benefits - part-time workers may not receive health insurance, retirement plans, or other benefits available to full-time employees.
Less job security - you might work different hours each month giving you an unstable income.
Multiple jobs - you might need more than one part-time job to support yourself financially.
How to Kick Ass Working Part-Time
Kicking ass part-time is all about effective prioritizing and managing your time like a wizard! It takes dedication, organization, and determination. Start by setting clear achievable goals that you can track and a healthy work schedule that meets your needs. Don't forget to plan breaks and holidays to stay away from burnout. Keep your workspace tidy and organized, and keep the most important information close to you. It's also a good idea to volunteer for new projects to show you are committed and remind your team of how valuable you are. Communicate effectively and often to keep yourself up-to-date with your team. You can also take online time management courses to help improve your skills as a part-time worker.
Here are some articles to help you get started:
What is Flexible Working?
Flexible work means any non-traditional work arrangement that lets employees have more control over their schedules. This can include remote work, part-time work, compressed (shorter) workweeks, flextime (flexible working hours), job sharing, and results-only work.
The Positives of Flexible Working
Improved work-life balance - more flexible work can help you balance your work and personal responsibilities more easily.
More personal control- flexible working can give you more control of your working conditions, which can increase job satisfaction and motivation.
Better productivity - flexible hours can help you work at the times of day when you are naturally more productive.
The Negatives of Flexible Working
Communication challenges - more flexible working can make communicating in real-time with colleagues and employees more difficult, leading to conflict if clear expectations and boundaries are not set.
Isolation and loneliness - working in a team where hours are different for each member can make you feel lonely and isolated from your coworkers and company culture.
Uneven workload distribution - unfixed working conditions can encourage teams to 'dump' difficult or lengthy tasks on a colleague who is not there to say no, or for flexi staff to prioritize tasks they enjoy and leave the rest to the team when they go home.
How to Work Flexible Hours and Kick Ass
Being flexible should help you kick ass right? But seriously, flexible work has the potential for a lot of benefits, and there is some skill needed to do it well. The most important place to start is making sure you communicate openly, assertively, and often. Think about taking online communication and time management workshops and reading articles about assertive communication. Use company social activities to give a good impression and keep communication channels open. It's also important to remember that when one thing becomes flexible, people can start to test other boundaries, so learn how to establish and maintain those boundaries positively and professionally as you begin flexible working.
Here are some extra articles to help you prepare:
What is Hybrid work?
Hybrid work is a mix of remote and in-office work, with employees spending time working from home and in a physical office. This option has become more popular since the pandemic because it offers the best of both worlds, flexibility and in-person collaboration. Companies like Google and Microsoft have successfully used hybrid working models for some time now.
The Positives of Hybrid Working
Increased flexibility - you can usually choose when and where you work, leading to improved work-life balance and increased job satisfaction.
Improved collaboration - hybrid work is ideal for in-person collaboration when it's needed, and remote work when you need it.
Increased accessibility - hybrid work can make it easier for employees with disabilities or other challenges to be present in the workplace when more able to, and work from home when they are more unwell.
The Negatives of Hybrid Working
Communication challenges - the inconsistency of hybrid working can make teamwork difficult as everyone has unpredictable schedules.
Loneliness - some employees might feel isolated or disconnected from their coworkers and company culture if they usually work remotely.
Uneven workload distribution - hybrid working can lead to some employees having higher workloads because they are in the office more often, or because they are more willing to work longer hours.
Technology problems - It can be a challenge for hybrid workers to get the equipment and training they need to continue their work at home. Working away from your office can leave you alone in a technology crisis, with days before you can see an IT technician to help you.
How to Kick Ass at Hybrid Working
To kick hybrid-working ass, take the time you need to plan a week ahead about where you will be working each day. Having your workplace schedule available to your team will make it easier for your colleagues to find you. You can't plan for what you don't know though, so be open to changing your plans. Problems, projects, or even new opportunities will often start without much warning. So make sure you are able to switch locations to suit your team's needs.
You need to be an excellent communicator. Stay in contact with text chats, meetings, and conference calls. It's also a good idea to practice assertive communication - saying no politely and asking for what you need. Having a good understanding of how to troubleshoot most software problems will also help you kick ass, because no pc crash will slow you down!
Choosing the Right Working Style for You
There are a few things you should think about before you say yes to a remote, freelance, hybrid, or flexible job. Here are some steps you can take to make sure that you are choosing the best working style for you.
Research working styles - find out as much as possible about any working styles that look good to you. Ask colleagues, friends, and family with experience working in this style to help you decide.
Think about the 'life fit' - think about whether a remote, freelance, hybrid, or flexible job is a good fit for your personal life and responsibilities. Think carefully about your work-life balance, your schedule, and your ability to work independently.
Consider the financial change - is there going to be a change in your income if you change your working style? How will this affect your personal life?
Think about the company - don't forget to look into how each company you apply to manages their modern working styles, they will not all be the same. Does their version of hybrid working match yours?
Wrap Up
Remote working, flexi, part-time, freelance or hybrid? Knowing the difference can give you the knowledge you need to find the best job to fit your life and commitments. It also means no nasty surprises when you arrive on your first day at work!
Each modern working style is something it takes time to adjust to, so don't be too hard on yourself if there are some mistakes or difficulties at first. To kick ass at any working style, it's highly recommended you continue to improve your communication, organization, and time management skills.
The more flexibility we have in our jobs, the more opportunity there is for us to make mistakes or go off track. But, keep working and keep learning. Learn from mistakes and use them to make yourself a kick-ass professional. An openness to exploring what went wrong is the best way to keep getting better at what you do. Who knows, all these skills you are improving could help you get a promotion! Time you invest in yourself is never wasted.