To most of us, remote work is the dream, right? Rolling out of bed, staying in your pyjamas all day, working from wherever you like and skipping the morning commute; what’s not to love about the digital nomad lifestyle? However, before you trade in your school uniform for sweatpants permanently, let’s dive into the reality of remote working jobs. Is it really all Netflix on your lunch break and working from the beach, or is there more to it? Let’s break it down!
What is Remote Work?
Remote work is when you do your job from anywhere outside of a traditional office; whether that’s from home, a café, a co-working space, or even while travelling as a digital nomad, it’s up to you! Since COVID times, work from home jobs have skyrocketed in popularity, giving people the flexibility to work from wherever they feel most comfortable and find it easiest to focus. However, for those without remote experience, it’s common to wonder how remote working jobs actually function.
How Remote Jobs Work
Unlike office jobs, where you work a set schedule in a physical space, remote work allows for a lot more flexibility. However, the expectations for remote employees vary slightly from company to company. Some expect you to be online during certain hours, while others focus on tasks and deadlines rather than clocking in and out. Most remote jobs rely on digital communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet to keep teams connected (so if you’re looking to land a remote job, familiarising yourself with the software is a great place to start).
Why Remote Work is Here to Stay
While remote work used to be a rare perk, the pandemic showed employers that working from home is not only possible but sometimes more effective, too! Now, companies are offering hybrid or fully remote working jobs all over the world, and the demand for digital nomad jobs is on the rise. In fact, a whopping 68% of U.S. companies offer some kind of location flexibility, so the working from home trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
Why Remote Work is Sticking Around
Despite the huge rise in remote jobs, it’s not uncommon to feel sceptical. After all, no one wants to commit to remote work, get attached, and then be forced back into the office! That’s why, to ease your mind, we’ve listed a few other reasons why working from home jobs are sticking around:
- Technology makes it easy: With video calls, online collaboration tools, and cloud storage, staying connected is easier than ever.
- Employees love flexibility: Many people prefer work from home jobs because they allow for a better work-life balance.
- Businesses save money: Companies spend less on office space, utilities, and other in-office costs.
- Access to a global talent pool: Employers can hire the best talent, no matter where they live.
So, if you’re eyeing a future of remote working jobs, you’re in luck; remote work isn’t going anywhere!
Remote Work and Productivity
One of the biggest debates about working from home jobs is whether people are actually productive outside of an office. While some studies show that employees get more done at home, others argue that distractions like social media, family, and household chores can get in the way.
At the end of the day, we think that the decision between working from home or the office is one that everyone has to make themselves. If you find that immersing yourself in an office environment helps you focus and hit deadlines, that’s great! However, if you get more done when you have time alone, remote work could be a good option instead.
However, it’s equally important to note that remote work isn’t a good fit for the unmotivated. Some people see remote work as an opportunity to reduce their workload, mess around, and do as little as possible. However, this isn’t a realistic mindset. In fact, if you neglect your responsibilities while working from home, it’s bound to catch up with you and you’ll be stuck with an insane backlog of work!
Remote Work vs. Office Work: What’s Better
Like we’ve said before, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether remote working jobs or office jobs are better. It depends on your personality, work style, and what kind of career you’re aiming for. However, by making a list of pros and cons, you’ll be much better equipped to make an informed decision:
Remote Work Pros:
- You’ll have more flexibility in hours and location
- No commute means extra time in the mornings
- There’s no need to pay for public transport fares (or petrol) in order to get to work
- You’ll be working in a comfortable and quiet environment
- Home office purchases might be tax-deductible
Remote Work Cons:
- It can be lonely without coworkers around
- You’ll need more self-motivation to get things done
- It’s harder to build workplace relationships
- Training and upskilling can be more difficult from a distance
Office Work Pros:
- It’s easier to collaborate in person
- You’ll get more social interaction
- There will be a clear separation between work and home life
Office Work Cons:
- Less flexibility
- An increase in commuting time and costs
- Office distractions are everywhere
At the end of the day, choosing between remote work and office work depends on what kind of work environment suits you best.
Which Work from Home Jobs are Best?
Not all remote jobs are created equal! Here are some of the best work from home jobs, accompanied by their average salaries and a description of what it is that they actually entail:
Freelance Writer
Average Writer Salary in NZ: $55,000 – $75,000
If you have a knack for stringing interesting sentences together, freelance writing could be a great option. Writers create blog posts, articles, website content, and marketing copy for businesses worldwide. Plus, this flexible job could even allow you to set your own hours, work with multiple clients and work from home.
Graphic Designer
Average Graphic Designer Salary in NZ: $65,000 – $85,000 per year
Graphic designers create visual content like logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials. If you love art and have skills in Photoshop, Canva, or Illustrator, you can find freelance gigs or full-time remote work, too.
Virtual Assistant
Average Virtual Assistant Salary in NZ: $49,000 per year
Virtual assistants work from home to help businesses or busy individuals with administrative tasks like email management, scheduling, and customer support. This role is perfect for someone super organized and detail-oriented.
Software Developer
Average Software Developer Salary in NZ: $85,000 – $105,000 per year
Developers write code and build applications, websites, and software. The best part? There are tonnes of remote work positions available in this industry! So, if you have skills in programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript, you’re well set up to land a remote job.
Digital Marketer
Average Digital Marketer Salary in NZ: $75,000 – $85,000 per year
Digital marketers help businesses grow online through SEO, paid advertising, and content marketing. This job is great for creative problem solvers who enjoy analysing data and trends (and those who want to work from home).
Final Thoughts: Is Remote Work Right for You?
Remote work isn’t just a trend; it’s a whole new way of working that’s here to stay. If you love flexibility, independence, and the idea of working from anywhere, remote working jobs could be perfect for you. However, if you thrive in social settings and need structure, an office job might be a better fit.
Regardless of what kind of role you’re picking up, remember that you don’t have to choose forever! Many careers now offer hybrid options, so you can mix and match remote work with in-office time.
So, is the digital nomad life calling your name, or are you leaning towards office work? Either way, the future of work is changing, and you get to decide what works best for you; find out more about your options by heading to our career advice blog today!
