It's been several years since the global economy began to nosedive into
recession. Today good jobs are so hard to
come by it may be a better time than ever to abandon the office and consider a virtual job.
What's
a virtual job?
A virtual job is any job that is performed remotely either online, by phone or
other media, outside of an office environment. Virtual workers are most
commonly self-employed contractors working with only the loosest official ties
to the employer.
Any
job that doesn't require a physical presence can be outsourced to a virtual
worker. but administrative and teaching positions are the most common. Personal
assistants, IT specialists, language tutors and academic instructors also work
virtually, though almost any office-based role can be successfully transferred
to a virtual worker.
Advantages of Virtual
Employment
Becoming
a virtual worker can be of great and mutual benefit to yourself and your
employer. Here are just a few of the reasons why a virtual position may be
advantageous.
1. Flexible Working Hours
The
traditional 9-5 job is... well, it's a 9-5 job. Millions of man hours are
wasted each day through commuting, and it wouldn't be too much to say that the
collective happiness of the developed world takes a hit with each crowded train, standing-room-only bus and bumper-to-bumper-highway.
The
9-5 job is a concept we cling to but no longer need. We instituted the
tradition because businesses needed to operate at the same time as their
clients and suppliers, but many modern jobs simply don't have to be performed
in a strict time frame. Sales reports will be just as useful whether
they're compiled at midnight or midday.
By
working virtually you'll free yourself from a daily commute, enabling you to
work at a time that suits your schedule and maximizes your productivity. If you
need a couple of hours each morning to hit your stride, that's quite all right
in a virtual job. As long as the work is completed on time, the hours you work
are unimportant.
2. Multiple Employers
Similarly,
the reliance on just one source of income is another outdated concept. Why put
all your eggs in one basket?
Virtual
workers can contract with multiple employers at the same time, taking on as
much or as little work as they can handle. While this offers the benefit of
being able to better balance your work and home life (i.e. you can work only as
much as you need to earn a living), it also offers greater job security. If one
client has to let you go there will be others to pick up the slack.
3. Employer Savings
Perhaps
most importantly, virtual workers are cheaper to employ than regular staff. As
a virtual worker you won't take up valuable office space, require health care
coverage, a pension scheme or any of the dozens of costs that come with each
on-site permanent worker.
Naturally
this makes virtual workers a more attractive prospect to employers. It frees
them from the long-term financial commitments of employment, significantly
reducing their overhead, which not only makes you a more attractive hire, but
also gives you greater job security. A cheap employee is a valuable employee.
What Qualities do you Need?
Switching
to a virtual career isn't for everybody. To work remotely you'll need to
possess qualities that may not have been required in an office environment.
First
and foremost, of course, you'll need to be able to work unsupervised. You'll
need to maintain productivity absent of the concern that the boss may be
looking over your shoulder. Sadly, this is a quality that many lack.
You'll
also need to be able to take the initiative in finding your own roles and
building your client base. The switch to self-employment requires a switch in
your approach to work. You'll no longer be handed assignments on a plate, but
you'll have to go looking for them yourself.
Once
again this boils down to motivation. A successful virtual worker needs to take
responsibility for the course of their career. Without that, the work will dry
up.
Why Now Is the Best Time
to Work Virtually
The
global economy is slowly recovering, but the damage is done. Unemployment rates
will remain high for a long time, and businesses that have been burned thanks
to overstaffing will be hesitant to commit to more and more full time employees
in the future.
This
may seem like a bad thing, but it offers you the opportunity to change the way
you look at your career. From the ashes of the global recession you could rise
as a successful business owner, working from home on the cutting edge of the
new economy. The opportunity is there, but it's up to you to grasp it.
About
the Author:
Sani Golriz is a
community blogger and active staff writer for CollegeFocus, a website dedicated to helping students deal with the
challenges of college, including housing, finance, style, health,
relationships, and transferring from a community college to a four-year
university.
