A Comprehensive Guide to Working Remotely

Working remotely is not only a phenomenon but also believed to be the “new normal” of the working world. Let’s unravel the remote working style with us!

 

 

The rapid development of technology advancements, accompanied by the proliferation of the Internet, has radically transformed the way we work. 

 

Not only reducing our workload and increasing productivity by automation, technology and the Internet have opened up a new future for our working world - the era of remote working.

 

Read this article and you will understand why working remotely is now preferred by 74% of professionals.

 

Working Remotely - What Is It

 

Remote working, as its name suggests, is a working arrangement that allows you to do your work outside the central place of work. It is also referred to as telecommuting, teleworking, mobile work,  working from home (WFH), working from anywhere (WFA). 

 

Novel as it may seem, remote working has come to be since the 1970s and become more popular in the 90s, mainly in Western countries. This practice became more mainstream when the COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of workers to work from home, and is expected to be a norm in the future.

 

 

Working remotely is working freelance - Is it true

 

There is a widespread assumption that remote working is freelance. But it's not.

 

When referring to “remote working”, it usually means that you are an employee working remotely from outside the company’s office of a particular company. In this case, you can enjoy full welfare and benefits under the employment contract just like any on-site employees if you are a full-time remote employee of your company. 

 

On the other hand, “freelance” means that you do not work permanently for a company but can work on different projects for several firms, organizations, or individuals. However, working freelance poses the threat of unstable income and financial risks due to the demand of the market and lack of legal protection.

The benefits of working remotely 

 

Remote work does play an important role in minimizing the wider spread of COVID-19. It enables workers to have a safe and healthy working environment, thus enhancing work productivity and motivation.

 

 

 

Working remotely is the best choice for working parents, especially during the pandemic when most schools close and kids have to stay home. 

 

Remote working is also the solution to work-life balance. Employees are freed from long hours of commuting (and, of course, traffic jams). Remote workers also have more location and time dependence, so that they can spend more quality time for their loved ones and themselves.

 

There is also compelling evidence that telecommuting can increase job satisfaction levels. 

The Best Jobs to Work Remotely

 

Here are the top 5 jobs that can be successfully performed outside the office:

 

Marketing 

 

Many roles in the industry are now going remote. If you are planning to be a remote content marketer, Animalz is a content marketing agency with a 100% remote (dream) team that you may want to join. 

 

Software Developing

 

There are some big tech companies that embrace a fully remote working culture, among which are Gitlab, Knack and Automattic. If you want to know more about the average salaries and requirements for software development jobs, this article is for you.

 

Computer Programming 

 

If you are a computer programmer, it’s time for you to think about switching to a remote position. Here is a comprehensive guide for you to do so.

 

Data Entry 

 

Online data entry jobs can bring you tons of benefits. This job is suitable for university students, stay-at-home housewives and anyone who wants to pursue a side gig.  

 

Transcription and Translation 

 

Transcription and translation jobs are always on demand despite the rise of automation technology. Many projects are open for freelance transcribers and translators, so why don’t you give it a try?

 

Want to find remote jobs in other fields? Click here to see various remote working opportunities in diverse fields.

How To Succeed In Working Remotely

Be tech-savvy

 

Working remotely means you have to depend more on technology to do your work - almost all tasks should be performed online. 

 

It is time you got yourself acquainted with online conference software solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Trello and Slack will come in handy when it comes to teamwork. Such mobile applications as Skype and Whatsapp help you to communicate with your manager and colleagues. Do practice to excel in the Microsoft Office suite and cloud services, too.

 

Be your own supervisor

 

When working remotely, it is crucial to have self-discipline and self-motivation. You will no longer be immersed in an office environment - there will be no boss or co-workers around, which may challenge your concentration. 

 

To practice discipline when working remotely, try using productivity apps such as Todoist and Forest.

Stay connected

 

Despite working remotely, you should be communicating well with your manager and colleagues to avoid miscommunications in work and also to ease loneliness.

 

Luckily, it is now easy to communicate online with the help of digital platforms.

 

Let’s spark conversations, join discussions and reach out to them frequently. 

Set up your ideal workstation

 

Isn’t it so cool that you can now organize your workspace to match your styles and preferences? 

 

It is also important that you have a suitable workstation that can boost your productivity. Try using shelves and folders to categorize your documents and stationery systematically. You can also place some plants in your home office to enjoy the fresh air. 

 

Alternatively, when the pandemic is over, you can work at a co-working space or at your favorite coffee shop.

 

Prepare a healthy mind and body

 

Being physically and mentally healthy will help you work at your maximum capacity. 

 

Working remotely allows you to have more time to work on your personal life, so why don’t you spend some time practicing healthy habits?

 

There are useful mobile apps that help you to improve your health. If you want to be a yogi, try the app Daily Yoga. To have a healthy diet, we recommend using Calorie Counter by GetFit to calculate the calories for each meal. 

 

Sleep quality should not be underrated. You can install the app Headspace on your phone and it will help you sleep better.

 

Sign Up To Waw Asia To Find The Best Remote Work Opportunities

 

Although remote working has been popular in the US for about 20 years, working remotely is quite new in most Asian countries. 

 

This explains why most remote job websites are for US-based human resources only. But don’t worry, Waw Asia got your back! 

 

Waw Asia is the first remote job portal that aims to provide remote work opportunities for Asia-based talents. Not just that, Waw Asia also have:

  1. Remote jobs of diverse fields: IT/Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Advertising and PR, Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Languages, Design, Project management, and other flexible jobs.

  2. Support service during the job application process.

  3. Refund for those who get the first job of the month.


Become a member of Waw Asia now to kick-start your remote work career with top-notch global companies!