You've walked the aisle, received your diploma, and taken photos with your excited family and friends. Congrats! You've graduated college-now what?
The journey of finding a job can be different for everyone: frustrating, long, short, easy, difficult. No matter which way it goes, new college grads would be wise to consider a flexible job (remote, freelance, flexible schedule, etc.). Even if you've never considered anything different than a traditional, in-office job, many of your peers are diving into the flexible work world.
In a 2017 study that included over 1,100 millennial responses, 83% said they wanted to work remotely 100% of the time, 72% wanted a flexible schedule, and 48% desired to work remotely some of the time.
With all of this demand, the good news is that flexible and remote jobs are available in a variety of different career industries, and they can be found at every career level, including entry-level. In fact, FlexJobs research shows that remote work increased 115% from 2005 to 2015. A whole 3.9 million U.S. workers now work from home at least part time-back in 2005, only 1.8 million did so. Are you ready to join them?
Here's a few reasons why college grads should consider flexible or remote jobs:
Flexible work opens up your options.
Consider this: when you type in your desired job title into a job board, your search is going to bring you results within your own city and surrounding area. If you're open to a remote position, you're not relegated to only jobs within your city. Your search can expand to the whole country or the whole world. If you live in a small town or a rural area without a lot of work options, finding a remote job means you won't have to relocate or settle for a job that you're unhappy with.
Flexible jobs lead to increased productivity and happiness.
It's been well-documented that flexible workers are more productive and happier. Working from home or on a flexible schedule typically allows for more time to attend to personal needs, eliminates or reduces a commute, decreases distractions, and can even lead to healthier eating. When you wake up in the morning and you don't have a long, stressful commute staring you in the eye and you can begin work in a home office that's comfortable and quiet, productivity and happiness can flourish.
Flexible jobs save you money.
Working remotely can save you $4,000 a year or more. How? FlexJobs broke down the estimated savings as follows: gas $686 saved per year; car maintenance $767 saved per year; dry cleaning and laundering: $500 to $1,500 saved per year; lunches and coffee: $1,040 saved per year; professional wardrobe: $925 saved per year; tax breaks: $750 saved per year, if you're a freelancer or self-employed. Saving this type of money each year should be a real factor into your decision to look for flexible work.
Flexible jobs can allow you to work on your own schedule.
Some remote, freelance, and flexible schedule jobs allow you to set your own schedule, meaning that you can choose the hours you work. This is a big advantage for those who don't perform their best during typical office hours. Perhaps you're a night owl and would do well working after dinnertime. Or maybe you need a few hours in the afternoon to turn off the computer and get some exercise. Whatever your needs might be at this stage in your life, a flexible schedule can help you achieve great balance for your personal life and professional life.
Flexible Jobs and Remote Jobs Are Great Options!
As a new college grad, you have so many options in front of you. Deciding to pursue a flexible job can put you on the path to a happier and more productive work life. Best of luck in your search!
This guest post was authored by Rachel Jay
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
