Whether you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic, quit working in order to stay home with your kids amidst COVID-19, or the coronavirus crisis has inspired you to embark on a new career path, remote work could be the perfect solution. By working from home, you’ll protect yourself and your household from COVID-19, and you’ll experience other benefits like a flexible work schedule, greater focus and productivity, and a healthier work-life balance. Plus, you’ll save time and money since you won’t be driving to an office five days a week.
With these tips from leader, advocate, and bestselling author Issata Oluwadare, MSW, you’ll learn how to find legitimate work-from-home jobs and achieve long-term success as a remote worker.
First, Create Your Office Space
Before beginning your search for work-from-home jobs, the first thing you’ll need to do is create a comfortable, quiet, and productive office space. And according to Tikva Morrow of The Muse, creating a productive home office means:
● Choosing a quiet bedroom, corner, or nook — preferably one with a door.
● Keeping the office space neat and clutter-free.
● Filling the space with houseplants that boost mood and focus.
● Diffusing pleasant scents like peppermint and sweet orange.
Once you’ve chosen a distraction-free space for your new home office, you’ll need to furnish it with a desk, chair, computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Depending on your specific needs, you may also wish to purchase a pair of noise-canceling headphones, speakers, monitor stand, printer, and file cabinet.
Second, Look for Work-From-Home Jobs
Now that you have your new home office, it’s time to begin your search for remote work opportunities. If you’re looking for freelance opportunities, you could use online job boards to search for work in industries such as customer service, web and software development, administrative support, sales and marketing, writing, and so many other fields.
If you’re looking for full-time employment opportunities that allow you to work remotely, some places to look include websites like Indeed, Virtual Vocations, FlexJobs, JustRemote, GitHub, PowerToFly, and Remote OK. And according to John Rampton of Entrepreneur, some of the best jobs for working remotely include the following:
● Affiliate marketing
● Blogging
● Bookkeeping
● Consulting
● Copywriting
● Event planning
● Graphic designing
● Social media management
● Web development
If you’ll be embarking on a new career path, however, you may need to learn new skills before applying for remote jobs such as these. A few great websites to learn new skills include Coursera, edX, Udemy, Khan Academy, Coach.me, Babbel, OpenSesame, Lynda, and Skillshare. Plus, some websites (like Coursera) will even allow you to earn a certificate or online degree.
Other jobs may require leadership skills you haven’t yet developed — but Issata Oluwadare, MSW can help you! One of her specialties is helping new leaders establish their identity, philosophy, and style as a leader. Through her personal coaching and workshops, she will help equip you with the skills and confidence that will help propel you to success in the next level of your career. Contact her today to get started!
Third, Set Up Your Business Entity
Depending on the type and amount of remote work you take on, it may be beneficial to legally establish a business to sell your services. A limited liability company, or LLC, is one of the most common business formations for individuals working for themselves thanks to this entity’s many benefits, including tax advantages, minimal paperwork, and — you guessed it! — limited personal liability in your business matters. As a bonus, it’s simple to file an LLC online (read: no need to pay for an expensive lawyer’s services) no matter where you live, although you should do a little research on your state’s regulations before submitting your official paperwork.
Fourth, Succeed as a Remote Worker
Once you’ve landed a work-from-home job, a few simple practices will help you to succeed as a remote worker. Regular breaks, for instance, are crucial while working from home — as they can help to boost focus, productivity, happiness, and energy levels.
Moreover, clear communication is key as a remote worker. You’ll need to communicate effectively via email, instant messaging software, and online collaboration tools (like Slack, Asana, and Microsoft 365) and document as much information as possible.
To combat loneliness and isolation while working from home, it’s also important to remember to socialize with friends, family, and coworkers throughout the day. Even if you can’t meet face-to-face during the pandemic, you can schedule phone calls, video chats, and virtual parties via Zoom, Skype, Google Duo, or Discord.
Final Words
During this unprecedented time, so many of us are experiencing the benefits (and challenges) of working from home. And by keeping these simple tips in mind, we’ll achieve long-term success in the world of remote work.
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