Since the pandemic, remote work opportunities have risen dramatically. Many companies are allowing their employees to remain working from home if they choose or to work a hybrid schedule where they’re in the office one or two days a week and working the rest from home.

Research that’s coming out highlights that people are often more productive and less stressed when they’re at home, which is why these kinds of roles are only going to continue to rise. This makes sense considering that remote often means no commute, lower costs for gas, food, and clothing, and increased lifestyle flexibility.

However, not all remote jobs are created equal. First, it’s not always easy to find a remote job. Many remote workers have transitioned into telecommute positions due to the pandemic, or as part of their company’s remote work policies. In addition, the hiring process for remote jobs can be different a traditional role, making it more challenging to secure a position.

The good news is that if you know what you’re looking for, you can get a remote job that’s a great fit for you. Here are three things to look for during the process.

Identify the type of remote job you want.

Some jobs are 100% remote with your employer across the country. Other positions are hybrid, which means you’ll be working part-time from home and part-time in the office. Still, other positions are fully remote though you’re still in the same geographic location as your employer. That way, if needed, you can always go into the office.

In addition, when it comes to remote jobs, you might think you can work from anywhere. However, many companies have a location requirement when they’re hiring remotely. They want workers to be able to meet if needed, so they might require that you live in the same area or geographic region as they operate.

When you’re searching for jobs, just make sure you read every description carefully. You don’t want to get excited about the perfect fit opportunity only to find out during the hiring process you’d have to relocate across the country. Or if you want to work 100% remote at home, check to make sure the position isn’t a hybrid one or a role that requires a lot of travel. It’s best to know the exact requirements upfront, before you even apply, so you don’t waste your time if a position isn’t right for you.

Determine whether you want a full-time position or are willing to work freelance.

Remote jobs come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, including full-time employment with a company, as well as 100% freelance. This simply means you’re self-employed rather than working directly for a particular employer. The type of role that’s right for you depends on what you’re seeking in terms of scheduling and financial stability.

If you have small children and just want part-time remote work, then freelance or temporary opportunities can be a good fit. However, if you’re looking for a steady paycheck and hours, then searching for a remote job within a company is a better match.

In addition, if you’d like to advance in your career, then working within a company will also be better suited for you. You’ll often have training and development opportunities that contractors and freelancers don’t have access to.

If, however, scheduling flexibility is critical for your lifestyle and you want to work the hours of your choosing, then a contract or freelance position could be an ideal solution. This way, you have projects you can work on during whatever hours are a fit for you.

Finally, when it comes to scheduling, whether for a freelance or full-time job, don’t forget about time zones. If you accept an opportunity in a different one from yours, you might have to go to meetings online at odd times of the day.

Evaluate company culture.

When you’re looking for a remote job, culture might not be at the top of your list, but it should be a consideration. There are a range of different ones, from more traditional 9-5 cultures to business casual and global ones. Think about what type of culture you’d mesh best with.

Also, if there are many remote workers, then the company might have a strong culture that caters to them. They often will have regular online meetings to connect with their telecommute team and opportunities to travel into headquarters for in-person events.

If, however, you’re only one of a few telecommuters, then the culture might be more aligned toward the in-house employees. As a result, you might feel like you’re on the outskirts of the company at times.

No one culture is particularly better than others and there are many factors to consider in your search for a remote job. It’s just important to keep in mind when you’re thinking about applying to jobs and moving through the hiring process.

While there are countless remote jobs available these days, it’s still important to focus your search and be discerning about the positions you apply to. During the interview process, it’s also important to ask questions about how you’ll keep in contact if you have to track your time, and expectations, and goals. The more you know about a particular opportunity – and the more open you are with them about what you’re looking for – the better your chance of finding the best remote job for you.

Would you like help in your search?

At Murray Resources, we’ve been working for over 30 years connecting talented professionals to the jobs of their dreams. If you’d like help with your search, contact us today or search our jobs now to get started.