Career Trends: Increase in Remote and Part-time Workers
Working remotely is the dream for many people. Luckily, it’s a growing trend with many companies looking for remote employees. Part-time work is also becoming more popular because it offers more flexibility and time for people to travel, pursue hobbies or spend more time with family.
Nearly one in five workers work part-time in the U.S. and, according to a survey by Intuit, part-time work is expected to rise to 40 percent by 2020. To help job seekers interested in finding part-time remote jobs, FlexJobs released a list of the Top 35 Companies to Watch for Part-Time Remote Jobs. Adjunct faculty, editor image reviewer, training specialist and project manager are just a few examples of positions that have been listed with these companies.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 62 percent of part time or freelance workers choose to work part-time, despite the idea that most people work part-time because they can’t find full-time work. FlexJobs found that millennials, the largest generation in the workforce and vocal proponents of work flexibility, want to work part-time so they can spend quality time with loved ones, pursue a creative passion and/or travel. A recent survey by RecruitFi also found that individuals currently working full-time are increasingly likely to seek part-time work.
“FlexJobs experienced a 31 percent increase in the number of remote part-time jobs posted in our database from 2014 to 2015, demonstrating this increased need from companies” said Sara Sutton Fell, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs.
Edmentum, About.com and Appen were the top three companies with the highest number of part-time remote jobs posted in the first half of 2016. Companies of all sizes and across a variety of industries hire part-time remote workers. Education, marketing and healthcare are top industries on this list, but others such as travel and technology are also included.
How can you find remote work while avoiding scams? First, use a list of legitimate companies that hire remotely (such as the one provided by Flexjobs). Also, look for job scam red flags such as little or no company information, vague job descriptions, and unrealistic salaries.
Although working remotely and/or part-time offers many advantages but it’s still work and employers expect you to take your job seriously. Make sure you have a designated work space and can realistically work from home without distractions. For career ideas, read 5 Jobs for People Who Want to Work from Home.