Are you ready to work remotely? Here's what you should consider

As life expectancy increases, we need to be prepared to stay in the labour market for longer. This creates room for alternative thinking about how we want to organise our working life and reflect on how we can combine a desire for adventure and travel with a career.

IDA counsellors often meet members who, for one reason or another, want to explore the possibility of working remotely for a period of time. Some want to work as self-employed, others as what you might call a ‘digital nomad’ - a way of working where you move from place to place with your laptop and work under your arm. Some move because they have found love abroad, others just want a break from everyday life for a shorter or longer period of time.

Although this is a common desire, career counsellor Jakob Gradel often meets members who are unsure about the process:

'When I talk to members about the possibility of working remotely, they are both unsure about the practicalities and whether they can get permission from their employer. Members are often nervous about being told no and signalling to their employer that they are on their way out the door. In addition, there are a number of younger and newly qualified members who want it to be part of their employment and would like help articulating it - for example during a job interview', says Jakob Gradel.

Even though many companies focus on a flexible working life and are free of time and place, many IDA members still experience a barrier to working from abroad for shorter or longer periods.

'For most people, it's easier to negotiate the opportunity when they've got the job and are already performing in their position. That way, they've shown their employer that they can deliver, and it might be easier to negotiate with a manager who has seen the value you add."

Career counsellor Jakob Gradel offers a few tips for those considering telecommuting: 

1) Do your homework

Consider what your working life will look like. Where do you want to travel? For how long? Will you stay in one place or will you visit several places? Are there any particular frameworks you need to be able to work optimally? Whether you're job hunting or working, it can be necessary to research and make your case as early in the process as possible. It also gives you the opportunity to put money aside and find out if there are networks or places in the world that are particularly good for digital nomads, for example. 

2) Consider what you want to achieve

Ask yourself what you want from working remotely or as a digital nomad. Is it the freedom to meet people from all over the world, or warmer climates and sunny beaches? Think about what it is you want to achieve since you're not ‘just’ quitting and going travelling instead. Whatever the reason, be open to the fact that things might not always work out exactly as you planned. 

3) Talk to others in the same situation

It's a good idea to talk to others who have been or are in the same situation. This can be through networks or online forums for digital nomads, where you can learn more about what's right for you through the stories of others. It might even remove some of the barriers you feel you have. It's natural to be nervous about whether you will thrive and whether you can maintain a strong relationship with your manager and colleagues at work. Learn from the mistakes and experiences of others before embarking on the adventure.

4) Think big, start small

No matter how much research you do and how much sparring you do with others, you can never be sure how it's going to feel to be on the road. That's why it's a good idea to test it out on a smaller scale first. Spend a week in a holiday home or holiday apartment and test what it's like to work remotely. Will you procrastinate, get bored and have a bad posture, or does it feel natural and like something you would thrive in? Testing this way also gives you the opportunity to adjust the things that aren't working optimally. 

5) Get your manager on board

Maybe you've already pitched the idea of telecommuting to your manager a few times, but now your desire is so concrete that you want clarification. Start by focusing on what you really want and argue how the increased flexibility will benefit both you and the company. Be as concrete and practical as possible and be ready to engage in dialogue and provide solutions to any concerns you may have. Finally, you might suggest a trial period that allows you to demonstrate that it can work in practice.