Work in an office or work from home?
In my career I've worked both in offices as well as from my home. Currently I work from home. Many times I get questions like "Do you like it?" "Do you get as much done?" "Do you miss working with people?" In fairness I think the answers have changed over the course of my career. Right now my answers are "Yes!" "Yes" and "Yes". If I were to offer any advice I'd offer the following:
In considering work from home roles ask yourself these questions:
Are you able to focus on the task at hand and not be distracted by what's going on in your environment? Kids, significant others, loud neighbors, household chores etc can all be a distraction to your job. Can you tune that out and do what the job entails?
Can you set up a dedicated work environment within your home? Working from a bed may seem like a great idea but it's not. Having a space, whether it be a kitchen table or a desk somewhere in the home or an office space within the home is essential to be able to turn "off" work when it's time and turn "on" work when it's time.
Do you need personal interaction with coworkers? This is a big one. Technology allows for chats but it is no replacement for the camaraderie that an office environment allows for. How important is that interaction to your job satisfaction?
If you are looking for a new job and are looking at a work from home role consider asking the employer what sort of support they offer for their remote employees. For example, do they provide for the cost of internet? Phone? Is there a way they engage their remote coworkers?
I'd love to hear from other people what you would like the best!
Great thoughts, Nicole, thank you for sharing. Your point about setting the right boundaries is something I've experienced myself. It's so important to ensure you're in the right place to focus and get things done when it's time to work, but also able to turn off and shift gears back to home/family when you're done. It can be easy to let your job take over your life if you no longer have a physical boundary.
I've also found that little things to get myself in the right mental place to work while at home go a long way - for example, though it's tempting to work in casual clothes (or even pajamas!), actually getting dressed into office clothes has been a good way for me to mentally shift into 'work mode'.
Working from home is definitely not for everyone. When I was a FT/Remote engineer, I had a specific set of routines I did every day. I communicated with my manager and direct reports, Daily. When I walked into my "office" my family knew that I was to not be disturbed. That I was essentially 'gone' until my door was opened. WFH is hard for the employee, but also for the family, who has to fight the urge to come visit or ask for help. It takes adjustment for everyone.
Nicole Horvath - ever have challenges with time zones?
WOW, this feedback is Right On Point Nicole Horvath !! We get a lot of request for work@home employment opportunities from community members looking for more flexible and convenient work culture.
Our concern has always been around a members perception of a work@home job and what it actually entails. Working from home sounds like an attractive work situation, but in reality, these jobs are not suited for every work style.
You highlight some very important factors to consider. Thanks for taking the time to share this perspective with the community. :-)
Thats a good opinion. Is the place you work for hiring by any chance? If you need people to interact with I would suggest just finding some friends anywhere you can. The gym? Church? Here at jobcase?