What to Do After A Successful Online Job Search
by Rose Johanes
Despite the demands from CEOs and business leaders for a return to the office, work from home remains at an all-time high. This increase in remote working can be found in major cities such as Washington, DC, San Francisco, and London — all of which have the highest percentage of job postings explicitly offering hybrid or fully remote work at 25%. This may be due to various factors, such as convenience for employees who won’t have to commute and the comfort of working at a home office instead of being stuck in an office cubicle.
In our previous post on how networking can help you achieve a successful job search, we highlighted how meeting people and building your professional network can help you get leads for your WFH-job search. Of course, being proactive in seeking career opportunities is the best way to land that online job. But what’s next? Below, we’ll look at some essential tips for what to do after your successful online job search:
Plan out your schedule
One of the first things to consider about online jobs is your daily schedule and routine. Recent findings indicate that for many American workers, their remote job schedule allows them to live like the “professional version of college students,” where daytime and afternoons are free for leisure and errands (or naps), and work can be done during off-hours. Additionally, data suggests that workers aren’t less productive despite the odd working hours.
However, not working 9-to-5 hours doesn’t mean you should forego your health and wellness. Try to plan out your online job schedule to have adequate time for sleep, eating healthy (as opposed to getting takeout), and even exercise. Unlike working at a conventional office, working at home means working on your own time. But that also means you may need better time management to ensure you have time for your work and home life.
Prepare your workspace
Having an online job usually means you’ll be stuck staring at a screen for long hours most of the week. This can cause eye strain and body aches — eventually limiting your ability to focus on tasks. As such, it’s essential to prepare your workspace well. An ergonomic office chair should be at the top of your list, as working online for hours on end will guarantee back, neck, and shoulder pain or discomfort, so a good chair is critical. Consider models from brands like Herman Miller, which provide optimal spine and lumbar support for long hours of sitting while delivering comfort and encouraging good posture.
You may also want to consider a standing desk or treadmill desk. Studies have found that people who use a standing desk report higher satisfaction and comfort levels in their personal workspace. Like ergonomic chairs, standing desks can help improve posture and even boost your mood, leaving you with fewer body aches at the end of a workday. This doesn’t mean you must be standing all day — alternate between sitting and standing during work hours to prevent discomfort.
Separate work life from home life
Finally, you’ll want to set reasonable boundaries between your work and home life. Working an online job at home can easily blur the lines. As mentioned above, working on time management can help you properly distinguish between work hours and time for errands or chores. Setting up your home office to be conducive for work can help you fight urges to lie on your bed or stretch on a nearby couch during work hours.
Work on treating your online job like it’s a regular office job without the hassles of commuting or having to make small talk in the break room. Doing so lets you stay focused on your work tasks and avoid procrastinating. Being able to end work early or on time will save you enough hours in the day to do everything else you need to do at home — be it the dishes in your sink, the pile of laundry in your room, or a good night’s sleep.
With this, we wish you luck as you begin your online job. Keep everything balanced, and you’re sure to find your flow.
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