Remote work has been a small part of the employment landscape throughout history. Thanks to the internet, those opportunities are now abundant, spurring many new companies to successfully connect solopreneurs to work projects. Some provide a general marketplace and others focus on specific disciplines; 99designs, for example, matches design projects with graphic designers. Even LinkedIn got in on the act last year with ProFinder – which is designed to link freelancers with leads.
But the new trend that’s exciting me and is growing exponentially is the area of remote work that’s not for freelancers; it’s for employees. There’s no arguing that the 9-to-5, 40-hour work week, with your entire team located near you, is gone. And it’s not coming back. Today, it is more likely that you work on a team where some or even all of your colleagues work remotely.
Technology has enabled work environments that are much more flexible and customizable. And workers of today are demanding more flexibility. It’s a true win-win. Companies get the best talent and save on facilities costs. Employees get to work on their terms (when they want, where they want), eliminating the hassle and expense of commuting. That makes for happier employees.
Watch on Forbes:
According to Flexjobs.com, a “flexible job” is defined as a professional-level job that has a telecommuting, flexible schedule, freelance, or part-time component. In a Flexjobs survey about flexible job preferences, telecommuting remains the most popular choice of flexible work for job seekers (72%), ranking well above flexible schedules, which is the second preference (52%). Part-time schedules (36%) and freelance work (34%) are also in demand. Many companies are already making flexible jobs and remote work a major part of their business, says Sara Sutton, CEO of Flexjobs. You can see the Top 100 list here.
Three companies really stand out for accelerating this trend:
This is a one-stop shop for remote workers and companies offering remote work opportunities. They play matchmaker between companies and remote workers, connecting over 2 million professionals with remote jobs. They use machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze skills, experiences, and personality traits to predict the highest probability of job success, which allows recruiting and hiring top quality talent really fast. There are end-to-end solutions for both job seekers and hiring managers to find and manage projects and full-time jobs, including a secured escrow payment system.
Even though having an office in your home is becoming as commonplace as having indoor plumbing, the opportunity to have access to colleagues, along with all the comfort and benefits of the workplace, is leading companies like WeWork to expand. WeWork helps remote workers feel less isolated, and it’s a service that is in high demand. Their valuation is nearly $17B, and they are expected to have an IPO this year. WeWork provides sleek, private offices for individuals and teams using partial-glass walls to provide both privacy and light. They have also designed their common areas to be inspiring for WeWorkers and their guests. They have eliminated the long commute while still allowing professionals all the benefits of working in an office environment.
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A very interesting company that has caught the wave of the digital nomad, Remote Year just received $12 million in funding from Highland Capital Partners. The service is designed to allow members to spend an entire year working abroad, moving every month to a different city. The first cohort of 75 pioneers attracted people from around the world, who spent a year working while traveling and exploring 12 different cities across the globe. Currently, Remote Year has six programs with 500 professionals involved, and they plan to expand. In an article in TechCrunch, Remote Year founder and CEO Greg Caplan said, “Productivity has moved to the cloud; great work can be done anywhere. People are more creative and productive when they’re inspired by their surroundings.”
The future will be filled with more opportunities to work the way you want, and thanks to this new breed of company enabling remote work, the future is now.
What’s your ideal work situation? Let me know in the comments.
William Arruda is the cofounder of CareerBlast and author of 13 Things All Successful Professionals Do To Fuel Their Careers.
