Since the pandemic in 2020, Remote work has become a global trend with a massive migration of people from their regular jobs to remote work. Many companies have also adopted the remote work style for various reasons, ranging from flexibility to cost minimization.
However, there have been various misconceptions about remote work, which have fueled people’s urge to abandon their regular jobs and go after remote jobs. These misconceptions are also the reasons people rush into remote work and rush out without proper research.
Let’s take a moment to discuss some of the myths and truths about remote work to clear the air and help you make better decisions when choosing to go remote.
MYTH 1: YOU DON’T NEED A SKILL.
One of the myths about remote work is they tell you that you do not need to have a skill before you can work remotely. Some social media ads tell you how you can make $60 to $100 daily from the comfort of your home without a skill or any training. Well, here is the truth.
TRUTH: Remote work is about your skill, like any other job! The remote work environment is all about skills and the value you bring. The key to success in remote work is having a valuable skillset.
Yes, you can jump on one of those offers from those ads that say you don’t need any skill, but you will soon realize that they do not last and are not sustainable. If you are moving into remote work for the long run, you will need a skill or set of skills you can utilize to do your job, and you will constantly require upskilling and reskilling.
MYTH 2. REMOTE JOBS ARE EASY TO GET
Remote work provides opportunities beyond your local area to the global job market, which may make it seem like finding a remote job is simple. For instance, you could be in Madagascar and apply for a job opening in Russia, which appears effortless.
TRUTH: As much as it’s true that a global job search means you have more openings and more potential job offers, It’s also true that you have more people to compete against. These people include people who have been in the field long before you, people with more geographic advantage, and people with more to show in their portfolio. The preparation for remote work comes with a long incubation period. In this incubation period, you will develop and refine a skill by working on pro bono or personal projects to enhance your portfolio before entering the remote job market.
MYTH 3. HIGHER EARNINGS
You’ve been lied to if someone told you to move to the remote work style because you will earn way more working remotely. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this isn’t the case every time.
TRUTH: Although companies are willing to pay in higher foreign currency, one of the reasons these companies are going after remote workers is that they want to cut costs, so most of them will not be offering regular remuneration for these remote positions, especially if you are applying from a 3rd world country. You can only make as much money as your skills can get you.
MYTH 4: REDUCED WEEKLY WORK BUDGET.
There is a popular misconception amongst intending remote workers. They anticipate a reduction in their weekly work budget due to the elimination of commuting and lunch break expenses.
TRUTH: Upon transitioning from your regular job to remote work, you will no longer have to spend money commuting to work, and you may not need to spend that extra money during lunch breaks. Still, you won’t stop eating at noon if you are now a Remote worker. Your expense for transportation to and fro work would be replaced by some new necessities such as internet subscription funding because you would no longer be on the office Wi-Fi, stationeries because you no longer enjoy office supplies, and of course power supply because you’ll be needing it to run your home office. These things sometimes make it more expensive to work from home.
MYTH 5: FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE.
Some people believe they have more out-of-work time when working remotely, but this flexibility can be misleading. They feel they can enjoy weekly holidays and never have to take a work leave.
TRUTH: As a remote worker, you may initially feel excited about the flexibility that comes with the job. However, many remote roles demand more than a typical Monday-to-Friday schedule. You may work overtime to meet deadlines or complete tasks, regardless of the day of the week. Additionally, collaborating with people in different time zones can add to the difficulties of working remotely. You might have active remote work hours just beginning when your neighbors or roommates return to their regular jobs to rest or socialize.
MYTH 6: DATA SECURITY
Remote workers can reduce the risk of sensitive files falling into the wrong hands by working from home and avoiding exposure or theft.
TRUTH: Working from home gives physical control over data vulnerability but only translates to data security when adequate cybersecurity measures have been implemented.
Remote work means that you will be moving a lot of data around over a network, and this network can be tapped into if not properly secured.
Cybercriminals target remote workers’ networks because they are isolated and easy to breach, making cybersecurity training essential for remote workers.
Transitioning to remote work can be challenging during the adaptive phase but gets easier over time. However, returning to onsite jobs can be difficult for those who have adapted to remote work.
In conclusion, if you want to consider migrating to the endless possibilities of remote work, keep an open mind and avoid these misconceptions to help you navigate the adaptive phase.
