Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Remote work offers the flexibility and freedom that many of today’s workers desire.
Whether you want to skip the daily commute, become a digital nomad, or simply choose to work from a home office, there are a variety of remote work options available to job seekers with varying needs and preferences.
But what does remote work mean? What types of remote jobs are there, and what do the schedules look like?
In this guide, we cover the definition of remote work, including answers to common questions about the definition of remote work and what it means for you as a job seeker.
What is Remote Work?
Picture the woman you always see in a cafe with her laptop, your friend who has a home office that looks like it came out of a design magazine, or even that one bookish friend who lives in a van while traveling the country.
These people may have remote jobs that offer the kind of flexibility that suits different lifestyles and work habits.
Definition and Meaning of Remote Work
Remote jobs are positions where employees do their jobs outside of a regular office space. These roles often use digital tools, such as video calls, email, and project management software, to keep tasks on track and teams connected.
Remote jobs can be full-time, part-time, full-time, part-time, freelance, or part-time. Some remote jobs require fixed schedules, while others may offer flexible schedules.
Remote operations may also include a combination of these two or more applications. For example, a part-time, full-time remote job with a part-time schedule, or a partially remote job with a full-time, flexible schedule.
What is Remote Work?
Imagine spending Mondays and Fridays in the comfort of your home office, then going to the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for meetings and coffee chats.
Or, think of your former friend, who works in a van and takes his “office” wherever he goes.
Remote work is a broad concept that encompasses all of these settings, whether it is completely remote or a combination of in-office or off-site work.
Remote Job Description and Description
Remote work is the practice of completing work responsibilities in a location outside of the central office, such as at home, the workplace, or while traveling.
Remote work relies on technology to facilitate communication and productivity and can include fully remote roles, remote collaborative work, or other flexible arrangements, depending on the function and company structure.
Remote Work Standards
So, what does remote mean for work? There are different levels of remote work, depending on the needs of each employer.
At FlexJobs, we list remote jobs as one of the following levels:
- 100% Remote Work: These positions are completely remote and allow you to work from home during all your working hours, no office time or travel required.
- Hybrid Remote function: These roles are partly remote, perhaps requiring some travel or some time at the company office. Hybrid remote workers may spend most of their days working in the office with some days working from home, spend most of their time working from home with some days they are in the office, or split their time equally between in-office and remote work. at home.
- Remote Work Option: These jobs give employees the choice to work from home or go to the office – or both. Variations may exist between employers, but ultimately, telecommuting options offer the option of working remotely part or all of the time.
What Kinds of Jobs Can Be Done Remotely?
Remote jobs cover a wide range of opportunities, from part-time gigs to full-time work or freelance work. Whether you want flexibility or a structured schedule, there are far places for different preferences.
In the following, we outline the types of remote jobs, how they differ in structure, and what you can expect in terms of schedule and terms of employment.
6 Common Types of Remote Jobs
Want to know the difference between remote jobs with flexible schedules versus unique schedules, or trying to decide between freelance work and part-time remote work? Understanding the different types of remote jobs is key to finding the right one for you.
Here are six common types of remote jobs and how they differ:
- Other Remote Schedule Jobs: These positions work outside of the typical 9-to-5 schedule and are ideal for those who prefer or need irregular hours. Some remote schedule jobs may include jobs that include morning, evening, weekend, or night shifts.
- Flexible Schedule Remote Jobs: Employees in these roles can set their own hours, as long as they meet their deadlines or complete their required tasks. These flexible jobs offer independence and flexibility for those who need flexibility in their working day.
- Freelance Remote Jobs: Freelancers work as independent contractors, taking on projects for one or more clients. These roles allow for high flexibility but often do not come with the benefits of full-time employment.
- Full Time Remote Jobs: These positions require a regular full-time commitment, usually 40 hours per week, and usually come with benefits. Full-time remote jobs can be completely remote – fully remote – or they can be full-time jobs with 100% remote, hybrid remote, or optional remote options.
- Temporary Remote Jobs: These roles involve fewer hours, usually less than 30 per week, and are ideal for those who want to balance work with other responsibilities or part-time income.
- Remote Temporary Jobs: Remote temporary jobs, which include seasonal jobs, have a specified end date and are often tied to specific projects or busy times (eg, tax season or holidays). They are ideal for employees looking for part-time commitments.
Where Can You Work Remotely?
Where you can work remotely depends on the specific job. Location requirements for remote roles often arise from legal, tax, or licensing considerations for employers.
In addition, employers sometimes need employees available for on-site training, meetings, or to be around customers.
Remote jobs generally fall into four categories:
- US National Jobs: These jobs allow you to live and work anywhere in the US
- International, Country-Specific Jobs: These jobs require you to live and work from some country outside the US
- City or County Jobs: These jobs require you to live and work from a specific city or state within the US
- Jobs – From Anywhere: These jobs allow you to live and work anywhere in the world.
It’s important to note that remote “work-from-anywhere” roles are not very common.
According to FlexJobs data, about 95% of remote jobs require employees to be based in a certain location, and only about 5% of remote jobs actually offer the freedom to work from anywhere.
Top Categories of Remote Jobs
Remote work opportunities can be found in a variety of industries. While FlexJobs has remote jobs in over 50 career fields, some of the top, fastest-growing fields for remote work include:
- Accounting & Finance Jobs
- Computer and IT jobs
- Customer Service Functions
- Data Entry Functions
- Educational and Training Activities
- Sales Operations
- Medical and Health Professions
- Sales activities
- Translation Services
- Writing Activities
This list is just a sample, but it highlights places where you can find promising remote work opportunities. For a deeper dive into the leading remote work industries and other developments in the field, see “Remote Work Statistics and Trends: The Latest on Remote Work.”
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