About 50% of my clients prefer a remote job. Sounds wonderful, but it can hurt your career. My advice to clients, go after hybrid jobs, and if remote, stay visible in meetings – meaning you are interacting live on video regularly.
Why is this important? Because in remote work, bosses and colleagues never see a real person, which means it’s easy to downsize you. It’s as if you don’t exist. Visibility equals both credibility and authenticity because you are seen in the office and people can speak directly to you. Also, the unemployed are disproportionately remote workers.
Remote jobs are also fraught with fraud. From fake hirings, to fake companies, to organizations playing bait and switch, there’s a lot of deception involved. A hybrid job solves this problem.
Furthermore, as a society we have become so tired of Zoom and Teams meetings, we don’t even show ourselves on video when we are remote. If we do, we use fake or blurred backgrounds that look silly.
Show yourself, in an appropriate background, that’s real. If a pet, child, or spouse wanders through the picture, no one cares. Plus, you can let family know you are on video and to avoid your “office” for the length of the meeting.
The secondary reason for hybrid work, particularly if GenZ or young Millennial, is to develop enhanced communication skills, something that both the Covid shutdown and social media has seriously stunted with many young people. From severe phone anxiety to feeling uneasy speaking to others in person, you can develop better interpersonal skills and significantly help your career and personal life simultaneously.
Are there legit remote jobs out there for jobseekers. Yes! However, they are listed on the job boards along with all the “not so legit” jobs. Due diligence is required from you in checking the company website, and verifying the job and company exists. Know that a lot of companies call their jobs remote, but they are hybrid, a bait and switch to get you to apply.
Recognize that just a little bit of visibility can save your job, allow you to showcase your work, and build your communication confidence. Seeking out hybrid job options also considerably increases job availability and how quickly you may find your next position.
To a more fruitful job search!