Remote (Work) Control

Recently, I started dividing my time living and working in two states. I thought the transition would be relatively simple, but then found out … not so much.  It has been a challenge to get things set up remotely, find the right contractors, know who to call and who I can trust, and most of all being organized and self-disciplined to work productively

. I can honestly say most people here down South are amazing and have been welcoming, and I have made some great friends. (The southern sunshine is not bad either!) I am also fortunate enough to work for an organization that allows me to have flexibility and work remotely while continuing to recruit Industrial & Manufacturing talent. Thanks to the cloud and Hobson Associates’ technology, I’ve got my home-based office set up, headset in place, making my recruiting calls. Yet as great as it is; working from home certainly has its challenges. I’ve learned a few things along the way:

• You have to be organized and focused.
• You must stay in touch with home base. Interact with colleagues on a daily basis to remain connected.
• Fast internet is my best friend.

Considering looking for a home based job? Ask yourself the following questions first:

“Am I happy spending long periods of time on my own?” If you have a hard time not being around other people and find yourself motivated only when around others, then this might not be the ideal setup for you. You have to be self-motivated regardless of your environment.

“Am I organized?”  I suggest making to-do lists—every day. A list of priorities and tasks you need to accomplish each day will keep you on track. If you tend to be a heavy procrastinator, you may even need to put ‘manage to-do list’ on your to-do list! “If you find yourself procrastinating anyway [despite the list], try scheduling out each hour of the day so you know what you need to do when,” writes Alison Green in an article on US News.

“Can I stay on top of deadlines?“  Some people love deadlines, some people hate them, but those who embrace them usually are successful. Again, it’s all about being organized – at your desk and in your head … [See “Am I Organized?” question]

“Am I resourceful?” Being resourceful is having the ability to find ways to solve difficult situations fast. Life cannot be smooth sailing at all times and you need to learn how to be more resourceful when needed to. This is especially true when you’re working on your own “island” and you don’t have the advantage of having co-workers around you to help you when in a bind.

“Am I an effective and efficient communicator?” Communication is the key to everything in business, but even more so when you’re doing everything remotely. Again, thanks to technology, this is easier to do than ever.  “You have to maintain regular communications with the person you report to and definitely plan to do business with your manager and colleagues in person when possible,” according to a glassdoor.com article.  “You have to really understand what your manager expects and deliver on it.”

If you can answer yes to these questions, then a remote job may be in your future! … At the end of the day though, no matter how many tools and resources you have in front of you, if you don’t have the skills and passion for your work, you may not be successful. I’m lucky to say I have both. Now what location you should work from? I’m a bit biased, but I hope you choose to live your remote life close to a beach or body of water!

-Diana