Without a doubt, the internet has been crucial to us finding amazing jobs. From helping individuals find new opportunities to offering fulfilling careers that one can pursue as a remote worker, the positive impacts that the internet has had on the workforce is almost limitless.
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These days, with current circumstances forcing most, if not all businesses to shift into the digital space, the undeniable link between the internet and jobs is stronger than ever.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of remote workers reliant on a stable internet connection has grown exponentially. So much so that experts believe that remote work will likely become the most influential legacy of the ongoing pandemic. And there is growing research to back up this claim. According to a survey conducted by Swinburne University researchers John Hopkins and Anne Bardoel, only 10% of the new remote workers have said that they would opt to not do any work from home in the future. Meanwhile, the remaining 90% look forward to having more opportunities to work remotely. Even after the crisis has finally died down.
Of course, a remote worker would need more than just a stable internet connection. For instance, to be able to stand out from other workers while remote working, one would need access to the proper tools. That being said, here’s a rundown of some of the tools you would need to be a successful remote worker:
Reliable hardware
Many companies that were forced to transition to a fully remote workforce due to the pandemic allowed their employees to take whatever they needed from their offices. From monitors and keyboards, to desk chairs and desks. This is because the companies recognised how important it is for remote workers to have the best hardware, as it's essential to making accomplishing work tasks easier.
Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many remote workers. If your company recently transitioned to remote working, ask your employer if they can provide the technology you would need to work from home. Especially if your profession demands a specialised setup with complex tools. If your job doesn’t require special hardware and you are thinking of investing in a new one on your own, Bustle highly suggests going for the HP 14-CF0014DX, which has a 14-inch display screen, operates on Windows 10, has an Intel Core i3 processor and a 128GB SSD and 8GB RAM.
Project management tool
Many professionals would agree that one of the biggest challenges to working remotely are the distractions. When a Netflix-equipped TV is just around the corner and your comfy bed is just a few steps away, getting into work mode can be difficult. To help yourself focus steer clear of distractions such as these, consider downloading a project manager that can be used across industries, be it finance, marketing, public relations, education or writing. Project managers help boost productivity by allowing users to assign tasks, set deadlines, create status updates and review a project’s progress with little to no hassle. If you want a tried and tested project manager that's rated well by writers and other freelancers, consider Trello. Trello lets users set up boards, delegate tasks among colleagues, add to-do lists within task cards, attach files, customize workflows and comment on items.
If you would like to learn more about Trello and how to use it for your needs, check out my workshop, It's Trello Time, here.
Cloud collaboration tools
Following the world’s massive shift to remote working, cloud collaboration tools are no longer just applicable to sectors powered by office workers. In fact, these days, even those working in the field of education, healthcare, and engineering are relying on cloud collaboration tools to make remote working a streamline and secure. In the field of engineering, many PCB cloud services now allow creators to share designs online, offering engineers the ability to backup their data automatically, unlimited storage, and complete security.
As with all cloud tools across industries this also allows multiple workers to access and work on the same project simultaneously without disruption. If you want to enjoy the same benefits that engineering professionals get from PCB cloud services, think about installing a cloud collaboration tool. One of the leading cloud collaboration tools out there is Google Drive. This tool permits desktop-to-desktop file synching, filtered searching, file sharing through links, quick clear formatting and on-document commenting.
Video conferencing app
With social distancing still being practiced all throughout the world, industries have been turning to video conferencing apps to convene virtual meetings. If you are a remote worker, chances are, you’ve already participated in tons of video meetings with your bosses and colleagues. When picking out a video conferencing app, there are certain things you have to consider. You have to think about the number of participants the app can accommodate, its user-friendliness, the kinds of meetings it can host, its compatibility with smartphones, features such as screen-sharing and app integration, and most importantly, security.
Despite being bombarded with criticism due to a couple of missteps involving privacy and security, the most popular video conferencing tool Zoom now has an end-to-end encryption feature for its users on top of its original attributes that enabled it to rise to the top.
Real-time communication software
Even in traditional office settings where employees could physically work together and meet in dedicated rooms, communication software was already becoming a huge part of most companies. So it only makes sense that in a remote setup where all non-verbal forms of communication are eliminated, having reliable real-time communication software is of the utmost importance. Aside from keeping communication lines open, the right app could also boost morale, improve collaboration and teamwork, and foster better relationships among employees. If you are someone who wants to keep things casual, fun and organised, Slack might be the perfect app for you. This clear frontrunner allows users to create teams, engage in friendly competitive games and import files from a number of cloud storage solutions such as OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Getting used to working remotely can be hard, especially if it’s a setup that’s entirely new to you. Fortunately, with the right hardware, project management tool, cloud collaboration tool, video conferencing app and real-time communication software, becoming a successful remote worker isn’t too difficult to achieve.
But wait... there's more!
I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of gadgets... even when they're a little gimmicky. (Okay, especially when they're gimmicky). I've got quite a few of the things on this list for my home office and I reckon I'd like to add a few more! Enjoy!
