Most people who have tried remote work don’t want to get back to the office, especially among younger generations. But some are concerned that working from home is just a passing trend that will end soon. If you’re one of them and would like to double-check if looking for a remote-friendly career makes sense, the short answer is to go for it.
Remote Work Isn’t Going Anywhere
The number one thing to know about the future of remote work is that it isn’t a passing trend. Since the pandemic’s beginning, employers have had plenty of time to realize that working from home doesn’t affect most employees’ productivity. On the contrary, it has made them much happier and more productive.
What’s more, the fewer people need to be physically present in the office, the lesser the office space can be. This means lower rents and expenses on things like coffee and cookies (you’d be surprised how much those can cost when multiplied by 500) and many other unexpected perks. That’s why the one thing we can be sure of is that remote work is here to stay.
Employees Demand Flexibility, and Employers Will Have to Oblige
Another major reason remote work isn’t going anywhere is how much workers appreciate it. Just ask recruitment experts or professional resume examples —they’ll confirm that a popular demand that job seekers have these days is for their job to be fully or at least partly remote. As a result, some of the best candidates won’t even consider office jobs anymore.
This is perfectly understandable. Remote work may not be for everyone, but those who enjoy it aren’t willing to give it up. No need to dress up in the mornings or commutes is a priority for many workers. And so is the absence of needless small talk in the office kitchen. In turn, employers have no choice but to offer their employees a chance to work from home (unless they are willing to miss out on perfect candidates).
The Remote Trend Will Continue to Create New Challenges and Careers
As wonderful as the remote work trend is, it also comes with many new challenges. Ensuring well-functioning workplace communication with no physical workplace is a challenging task. Neither is keeping employees’ engagement high. Even feedback delivery over Zoom isn’t the same as in person. There are numerous things that employers didn’t have to consider before.
But new challenges always bring new opportunities. For example, you can now find corporate psychologists specializing in remote workplaces. Some of HR professionals’ key skills these days are related to ensuring smooth communication of remote teams and developing effective ways of boosting the performance of at-home workers. This “remote work-tailored infrastructure” will keep growing.
It Will Also Continue to Affect Non-Remote Industries
A thing that few people consider is how the remote work trend affects non-remote jobs and industries. Just think about it. In the past, how often would you make a stop at a grocery store on your way back home? How likely are you to leave your home just for a drive for groceries?
You might not even notice it, but remote work changes things even for businesses that have nothing to do with it. E-commerce is thriving more than ever because, let’s face it, few people want to leave their homes on a weekday just to buy new clothes (or groceries, for that matter). Food delivery companies have never been more popular. Food trucks near large office buildings are forced to relocate. The list goes on and on.
Remote Work Will Erase Borders in the Job Market
Many employers are already looking for overseas employees (or freelance project-based workers). And why wouldn’t they? U.S.-based businesses can easily hire top-notch professionals from developing countries for a fraction of the money they would have to pay American workers. And there’s nothing wrong with that. As the cost of living is lower, workers can live comfortably with a much lower income.
Experts predict that outsourcing will keep growing. And so will freelance work. Often, businesses need a competent person for a single task or project. However, they don’t actually need them to join the company’s staff. Project-based freelance work is a perfect solution. And the growth of remote work will keep making it more common.
But Complete Remote Will Still Be Only Available to the Lucky Few
All that being said, not every industry is remote-friendly. Some jobs just can’t be fully remote, and that isn’t going to change. For example, can you imagine a nurse trying to administer an injection over Zoom? Or a masseur working on the client’s back pain online? Or a dog trainer teaching a puppy how to walk on a leash on FaceTime?
No matter how popular remote work will grow in the industries where it’s possible, it won’t be available to the workers who can’t do their jobs online. So if you’d like to work from the comfort of your own home, select among the jobs that allow this, such as:
- Software Developer (as well as most tech jobs)
- Career Advice Expert
- Social Media Manager
- Therapist
- Data Analyst
- Project Manager
- Writer
These are just a few options to give you an idea. The full list is much longer, so everyone can find something that interests them and will stay remote-friendly in the foreseeable future. In addition, many great jobs that can easily be done from home don’t take too much time to master. So don’t be intimidated by the idea of changing your career—you can do it!
To Wrap It Up
If you’re worried that the remote work trend will end soon, don’t be. Both employees and many employers appreciate it, so it isn’t going anywhere. On the contrary, more jobs will become remote, and new ones will emerge. Just make sure to choose an industry where remote work is possible (and already common, to be on the safe side)—and you won’t have to commute any time soon.
