As technology companies compete for talented professionals in a healthy economy, many are offering the ability to telecommute as an additional perk.
Employees hoping for a better balance between their work and personal lives enjoy working from home without the hassle of a daily commute. Still, it takes an extra measure of focus to stay productive without a boss looking over your shoulder. Working remotely requires someone with the right personality – able to keep their head down and focused on the task at hand. Let’s look more closely at what it takes to telecommute.
Telecommuting requires Discipline
Working from home requires the discipline to remain focused and productive. There are no coworkers or managers to notice if you are slacking. Your home is also filled with the distractions – pets, family, dirty dishes, etc. – able to keep you from finishing your assignments on time.
If you are a self-starter and truly enjoy working, the extra benefits of telecommuting are numerous. You may even get more accomplished each day without spending two hours or more commuting.
Self-Motivation is Vital
Being able to motivate yourself every day is another key personality trait of successful telecommuters. Sure, you will stay connected to your home office through voice, text messaging, and email, but the ability for self-motivation helps ensures your productivity levels stay as high as they are when actually in your employer’s office – maybe even better!
Extroverts may not perform well as a Telecommuter
Extroverts that thrive on human interaction may not have the right personality to be a successful telecommuter. In this case, working at the office gives you the needed energy to stay productive. On the other hand, those with a more introverted personality enjoy the freedom and relative quiet provided by telecommuting.
Being Successful at Working from Home
Setting up a proper home office and following an organized schedule help telecommuters achieve success when working from home. A home office where you are able to close the door helps keep out distractions, allowing you to focus on your duties.
Scheduling time to interact with coworkers online – or even to brainstorm by yourself –ensures your mind stays attuned to the workday. Managers experienced with remote workers also know the techniques to keep everyone on the same page. If you feel you can be successful telecommuting, take any opportunity offered by your company to work remotely. The only way to know for sure is to give it a try!
Are you looking for a new IT opportunity?
If you need additional advice on building a successful IT career, talk to the knowledgeable team at The Ceres Group. As one of the top technology staffing agencies in the Northeast, we know the companies looking for talented professionals and if working remotely is important to you, we can help you negotiate. Search for a new job today or contact us to learn more.