Is Remote Employment “Just a Job,” or Can It Be a Career?

When most people think of remote work, they might picture someone sitting in the comfort of their own home with a cup of tea and a list of calls to make, or imagine someone at the local coffee shop, sitting in a sunny window seat, with a laptop open and a smile on their face. 

But what many fail to picture when they conjure up images of remote work in their head is the word “career.” For years, remote work was seen as more temporary, part-time, or second career work. 

But the truth is, remote employment today encompasses a wide number of job opportunities, including full-time careers; it simply depends on the type of remote work you are looking for. 

Breaking Down Remote Work

Remote work can be broken down into several categories, but almost all of them involve some form of teleworking. Teleworking jobs require telecommuting rather than physical commuting, meaning you are conducting business and contact with an employer, usually by computer or phone. 

Workers can telecommute part-time, full-time, or even once or twice a week. Other remote jobs may be done 100% virtually, with no time spent in-office, and others still can be conducted entirely at home as your own boss. 

Due to advances in technology and the ever-evolving business landscape, the capabilities and prospects of remote work have expanded beyond those positions traditionally considered teleworkable. Read on to find out more about the expanded selection of career opportunities remote work has to offer.

Profitable Remote Career Paths

According to a recent report from CNBC, “remote jobs are exploding and salaries can top $100,000.” While not every remote career can gross this much income, there is a steady number of remote career paths that offer comfortable wages. 

Between 2016-2017, jobs in these career categories grew the most in terms of remote work offerings:

• Healthcare. Jobs for therapists, medical researchers, registered nurses, home health assessors, social workers, counselors, and more are commonly done remotely and can be performed both virtually or from home. 
• Customer Service. Administrative assistants, customer care and client representatives are all career options in the field of customer service. 
•  Education. A rise in online schooling has led to a boon in remote tutoring, virtual classrooms, test prep, and test assessment positions. 
• Sales and Marketing. Jobs in this sector include positions in project management, graphic design, writing/editing, sales associates, social media marketers, and more. 
• Information Technology. Remote positions in this field are often found in coding, software development, troubleshooting, web design, library sciences, cybersecurity, and network support. 

Additional profitable fields may include those in nonprofit & philanthropy, real estate, engineering, insurance, and math and economics. 

Choosing the Best Path for You

In addition to the many benefits that remote work has to offer in terms of finances, home/work balance, and flexibility, many find that they are happier and more fulfilled when working remotely as a result of their employer’s efforts to incentivize employees, maintain remote employee engagement, and nurture responsive and supportive teams. 

Gone are the days when remote work is isolating and unsupported. 

Many employers who offer remote positions are at the forefront of helping employees to jumpstart meaningful careers through techniques like inclusive onboarding, access to clear and easy to use communication tools and apps, streamlined assignment platforms, and opportunities to socialize in-person with fellow remote employees. 

Moreover, many companies seek to “promote from within”, allowing for plenty of opportunities for career and personal growth!

Companies are also using tools like SelectOne’s smart hiring recruiting solutions, such as the innovative Jobfit, to help them find the perfect fit for their open positions. Check out SelectOne’s blog for more information on ideal workplaces, industry trends, and career advice. 

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