You’ve probably come across terms like “telecommuting,” “work from home,” or “hybrid” and wondered, “What are remote jobs, exactly?” The terms are often used interchangeably but have nuances and differing requirements.
Below, we’ve outlined the technical definitions of each work form. However, in many cases, employers use these terms interchangeably, so job seekers should read job descriptions carefully and, when it doubt, verify with the employer during the interview process the exact terms of the work arrangement.
Determining which remote work arrangement fits your career and work-life balance goals is essential. When you understand exactly what type of job you’re looking for, you can build a successful job search strategy and avoid wasting time on roles that aren’t a strong fit.
Note:
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What Is Telecommuting or Teleworking?
Telecommuting is a flexible work arrangement where you work outside of the office routinely, often at a satellite office that is closer to your house. You’ll be expected to be at a worksite regularly.
Unlike most other forms of virtual work, the telecommute definition implies that you’ll still be part of a traditional office setting. Requirements vary, but expect to be in person for things like meetings and training. Often, telecommuting is remote work that’s limited by distance from the main office or a satellite location.
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What Is Remote Work?
Remote work is a work style where you perform your tasks outside of a traditional job environment. It’s a broad term that is used to cover a wide variety of work arrangements. A more accurate definition would clarify that technology facilitates remote work. So, you’ll need internet connectivity regardless of your job title.
Even without an in-person requirement, you’ll generally be limited to specific locations or work environments in a remote job. For example, remote workers are often limited by their organization to specific states or cities. Remote workers might have flexible or alternative schedules and often work in a typical team structure, reporting to a remote manager.
Depending on the role, remote workers might also have requirements for a quiet and secure workspace. This is especially true if the job involves handling sensitive customer or financial information, such as in remote financial or customer service roles.
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What Is Virtual Work?
Virtual work is employment that is fully conducted online, without a physical office to report to. Companies take advantage of the cloud, and you’ll likely be able to access the company’s network and your virtual desktop remotely.
Virtual work isn’t always built around a traditional work structure, either. For example, you’ll find job titles like virtual teacher or virtual assistant. You might also find that the work is defined as a results-only work environment (ROWE), and you’re ranked on the amount of work you accomplish, rather than the time put in.
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What Are Work-From-Home Jobs?
Work-from-home jobs are roles where some of your team might still work in an office, but you’re completing your work from home. Transcription and call center jobs are great examples of work-from-home roles. You might require extra equipment and a stationary workspace to fulfill your role.
Work-from-home jobs will almost always have geographical boundaries set by the organization. Due to legalities, many companies limit the states they can employ in, which factors into any upcoming relocation you’re considering. You might be limited to a certain number of miles from the office.
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What Are Online Jobs?
Online jobs are performed entirely over the internet, and work structure can range from full-time to freelance. Generally, you can work from the library, a coffee shop, or your home office—anywhere with internet service.
All of your communication will be completed via email or remote tools, such as Slack and Zoom. To excel in an online role, you’ll need to fine-tune your time management and communication skills.
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What Is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid work means you split your time between remote and in-person work. The amount of time spent in an office is dictated by the organization you work for, but two or three days a week is common. The other days are spent working from your home office.
Due to the in-person requirements, hybrid jobs are limited by geography to roles within a reasonable commute of your home. A hybrid role might be ideal if you live in a rural area and want to cut down the long commutes into a city center but still enjoying working on-site on occasion.
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What Are Work-From-Anywhere Jobs?
Work-from-anywhere jobs are roles that don’t have location requirements. Whether you’re a military spouse with frequent moves or a digital nomad looking to support your travels, the work-from-anywhere structure is ideal.
As technology advances, the ability to work from anywhere you can find secure internet service is becoming more common. Many countries are now offering digital nomad visas specifically for location-independent workers.
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What Is a Distributed Team?
When you work on a distributed team, the entire team is separated by geography. You’ll utilize remote communication tools to manage time zones and even continents. Distributed teams might report to managers or include team members who still work from the main office or a satellite hub.
To be successful in a distributed team, you’ll need to grow comfortable with asynchronous communication and leverage professional communication to ensure your messages are conveyed clearly.
Telecommute vs Remote Work vs Virtual Work
It’s easy to get tangled in terms like telecommuting, remote work, and virtual work. Though they’re used interchangeably, each has its unique nuances.
- Telecommuting usually means working from home while staying connected to a physical office.
- Remote work provides the freedom to work from anywhere that the company is legally authorized for employment.
- Virtual work takes it a step further by eliminating the traditional office entirely.
While they share similarities in flexibility and autonomy, understanding these distinctions can help you find the work style that best suits your needs and preferences.
1. Benefits of Flexible Work
While there are variations in job structures, flexible work arrangements offer significant perks. Perhaps the most significant perk is improved work-life balance, with the flexibility to manage your work around your life.
You’ll likely discover that you save money without a daily commute, and flexible scheduling can lead to increased productivity. Why is that? Remote work offers an alternative to traditional office distractions. The endless meetings, office chatter, and impromptu disruptions are minimized in a flexible setting.
2. Common Challenges
That’s not to say that remote work is without challenges. Being aware of remote work hurdles can help you navigate them more effectively. Many remote workers initially struggle to adapt to feelings of isolation. You’ll need to find ways to stay connected and maintain a social network.
Be aware of increased security risks in remote and virtual environments and the need to be your own IT support. Not to mention, the office distractions are gone, but you’ll have to set boundaries with your family, friends, and even yourself. When your home becomes your office, separating work from your personal life can be a challenge.
3. Best Remote Work Practices
To make the most out of flexible work arrangements, adopting remote work best practices is crucial. Whether it’s through regular check-ins, emails, or video calls, clear communication is vital. Also, setting career goals and tracking your achievements so you keep career momentum building is essential.
Even if you’re short on space, having a specific area in your home designated for work can help in mentally separating work from personal life. And possibly most importantly, remember to take breaks and look after your well-being.
Finding Virtual, Remote, Work-From-Home Jobs
As you can see, the world of flexible work is rich with opportunities. The key is to embrace the style that fits you and your circumstances best. If you’re ready to dive into the flexible work world, finding legitimate job opportunities is crucial. This is where FlexJobs comes into play.
FlexJobs specializes in vetting and listing legitimate, high-quality, flexible job opportunities. Whether you’re seeking part-time telecommuting roles, full-time remote positions, or virtual work, we provide our members with a curated list of scam-free job opportunities for every skill and work style.
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