The Perks and Problems of Working Remotely

Remote work has swiftly become a global norm. The COVID-19 pandemic propelled millions to redefine their workspaces from physical offices to their homes—or even hotels and resorts across the globe.

As of 2023, approximately 20% of Canadian workers work from home. Around 90% of Canadians feel more productive when working from home than when working from the office. Despite the numbers, this shift to online work still triggers discussions. The debate surrounding remote work has led companies to grapple with the future of their workforce post-pandemic.

In this article, we'll dissect the perks and problems of remote work to help you navigate this career shift, whether you want to work from home, in the office, or travel the world.

What qualities and habits make a successful remote worker

Remote work may seem like a dream come true, but you need to know some key qualities to focus on. Here are some qualities of a successful remote worker:

Self-motivation and discipline

An exceptional remote worker has the motivation to complete tasks. They can remain focused and productive, even without direct supervision.

Exceptional communication skills

For successful online collaboration, remote workers must have exceptional written and verbal communication skills. They must be articulate and proactive at communicating to help fulfill shared goals within their team.

Time management

The ideal remote workers must be able to manage their time and tasks efficiently. They must have the ability to meticulously organize their schedules, set clear priorities, and juggle multiple responsibilities without compromising the quality of their work.

Tech savviness

Remote workers must be proficient in digital tools and platforms to thrive in virtual workspaces. If they have a natural affinity for technology, they can swiftly learn new software, collaboration tools, and digital frameworks that organizations introduce in their workflow.

Emotional intelligence

Remote work environments can reduce office drama—but they can also lead to misunderstandings. That's precisely why successful remote workers must exhibit high emotional intelligence. They must be able to nurture relationships, diplomatically resolve conflicts, and maintain a sense of camaraderie, especially if they're managing a remote team.

Perks of working remotely

Let's take a look at some advantages of working remotely:

Flexibility

Remote workers can enjoy flexibility in their schedules and work environment. They can work from home or anywhere in the world, which can improve their work-life balance or overall well-being. Depending on their work arrangement, they can follow a flexible 9-to-5 schedule as long as they finish their deadlines.

Improved focus and productivity

A home office setup allows employees to create a productive environment. A personalized workspace leads to fewer distractions—unlike open office environments filled with conversations. In addition, employees also have the freedom to structure their workflow which leads to more productivity.

Access to a global talent pool

A key advantage of hiring remote workers is accessing talent from anywhere in the workplace. A diverse talent pool gives teams rich perspectives, ideas, and skill sets that can benefit the entire organization.

Challenges of working remotely

Even if remote work has plenty of benefits, there are some drawbacks you need to be aware of.

Here are some challenges that you might encounter when working remotely.

Isolation and lack of social interaction

The absence of face-to-face interactions can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnectedness among employees. Unsurprisingly, building relationships and fostering camaraderie requires some effort to overcome your distance with colleagues. For example, you can visit a coworking space or a cafe on a weekly basis to combat the feelings of loneliness. You can also have a remote working buddy that you can chat with during break times at work.

Blurred work-life boundaries

The flexibility of remote work can blur the lines between professional and personal life. In some cases, remote employees may find themselves working more often than when they were in the office in the absence of set working hours. As a result, it's essential to establish clear boundaries and set specific timelines to prevent overworking and burnout.

Miscommunication

Good communication demands conscious effort, especially in remote work environments. It's easy to misinterpret messages or misunderstand expectations without a face-to-face working environment.

Technological challenges

Organizations may be able to save money when employees have their own devices, but this also poses inherent risks. If some employees need a faster internet connection, productivity drops.

Home networks also lack the stringent security measures of corporate environments, which makes them susceptible to breaches. A hacked account can become a potential entry point for cyber threats when not adequately protected. As a result, it’s important to consider company-provided laptops with necessary security measures set up or to set-up mandatory cyber security training to teach employees how to prevent online threats.

Advice for looking for remote work

Finding remote work opportunities is easy with the right tools and resources. Here are some ways you can find a remote job.

Explore specialized remote job sites

Many job sites list remote and flexible job opportunities across various industries. Some of the most well-known remote work job sites include FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, and HiringCafe.

All these platforms have diverse job listings at globally recognized companies, from programming and design to customer support and marketing.

LinkedIn remote job search

Job seekers can filter remote job listings on LinkedIn.

Under the "Jobs" tab on LinkedIn, you can refine searches by selecting "Remote" and choosing from "On-site," "Hybrid," or "Remote" listings.

During a job search, you can incorporate relevant remote-related keywords like "remote," "virtual," or "telecommute" to find remote work listings. A good tip is to include these keywords on your profile to attract recruiters seeking remote talent.

Tailor your profile for remote roles

If you have remote work experience, highlight it in your resume. This experience proves your ability to excel in remote settings. Your resume should also emphasize skills crucial for remote work, such as self-motivation, strong communication and time management, and proficiency in remote collaboration tools. We’ve listed down the relevant collaboration tools in the section “tools used to keep your team connected” below.

Network

Network with professionals in remote work communities. Participate in online forums and establish connections with remote work advocates and influencers. You can also join Meetup to find meetups for remote workers in your own city.

Tools used to keep your team connected

Keeping remote teams connected requires tools that facilitate seamless communication, collaboration, and project management.

Here's a roundup of essential tools that foster cohesion within remote teams:

Communication tools

Slack

Slack is a real-time messaging platform that organizes conversations into channels which facilitate instant communication, file sharing, and third-party integration with other apps.

Google Meet

The secure and reliable video conferencing tool allows teams to conduct virtual meetings, share screens, and collaborate in real time.

Calendly

Simplifies scheduling by allowing individuals to share their availability and book meetings without back-and-forth emails.

Virtual Collaboration Tools

Miro

Miro is a virtual whiteboard for creativity, visual collaboration, and agile planning through interactive boards.

Figma

Figma is a collaborative interface design tool for real-time collaboration and prototyping among remote teams.

Project Management Tools

Monday.com

Monday provides customizable project management tools, so teams can track tasks, timelines, and workflows while fostering collaboration and transparency.

Trello

Trello organizes projects using boards, lists, and cards, enabling teams to manage tasks visually, assign responsibilities, and track progress in an organized way.

Basecamp

The project management tool offers project organization, task assignment, file sharing, and messaging features within a centralized platform, promoting collaboration and team alignment.

Asana

A project management tool that streamlines task assignments, project tracking, and team collaboration for seamless workflow management.

What makes a successful remote team, and how to foster culture

Creating a thriving remote team demands a deliberate focus on fostering a cohesive culture and effective collaboration. Here are some ways you can build a successful team:

Establish clear communication

A good team needs effective collaboration. Even if an entire team is remote, there are tools for real-time messaging and video conferencing that can help you bridge the geographical distance.

You can cultivate teamwork through regular virtual meetings and online team-building activities.

By creating more opportunities for casual interactions, you can nurture a strong bond among team members. Plus, it allows you to build an environment with open dialogue to foster a culture of transparency and mutual respect.

Cultivate work-life balance

Be an advocate for work-life balance by setting clear boundaries. It's important to respect people's time zones and encourage regular breaks to prevent burnout among your team.

Celebrate success

Recognize the successful efforts of your team members by acknowledging their achievements publicly. You can announce milestones in a company chat or offer rewards to bolster morale and motivation.

Define goals and expectations

Establish clear goals and outline expectations among remote team members.

Having clear objectives ensures a shared vision. Defined roles and responsibilities provide each member understanding of their unique contributions and minimizes confusion.

Setting deadlines is also essential to drive a culture of responsibility and accountability

Lighthouse Labs and remote work

At Lighthouse Labs, the remote work paradigm isn't just a trend—it's a fundamental aspect ingrained in our company.

The Lighthouse Labs team operates as a fully remote company, demonstrating our belief in remote work environments' power and potential. We also offer live online bootcamps designed to provide an immersive learning experience for students who need flexible learning options.

Thanks to our virtual classrooms, graduating students have the skills to navigate remote working environments. In fact, according to our 2022 Career Trajectory Report 95% of our graduates secured roles in remote or hybrid positions. Specifically, 52% worked remotely, 43% worked in hybrid environments and 5% worked in the office.

Our commitment to remote work and education reinforces our position as a leading learning platform where students can adapt to the demands of the modern workforce. Here’s hoping this article will help you achieve long-term success as a remote worker.

• CTR remote grad stats (% of grads in remote and hybrid roles)
• LHL is fully remote company
• Online, live lecture formats