For all the harm it did, having options when it comes to choosing one’s work style is one of the pandemic’s rare upsides. The office might not be the default anymore, but does that necessarily mean other work styles are better?
If you’re here, that means you’re having trouble deciding. Which is great, because it shows you’re approaching an important life decision with due seriousness. Let’s make it easier on you, shall we?
Advantages and Trade-Offs
Let's first discuss the specifics of each work style and see why you might want to embrace or avoid it.
Office work
The classic 9-5, complete with in-person meetings, chats by the water cooler, and annoying coworkers. In some respects, it’s still a popular and advantageous form of employment, especially if you work in a field where you need to build trust and communicate instantly. It also offers unparalleled mentorship opportunities crucial for development in the earliest stages of your career.
On the other hand, the commute and fixed working hours can make office life a slog. The open office plans that are common nowadays make it harder to concentrate. Meanwhile, travel costs, lunch, and other expenses mean a sizable chunk of your paycheck goes to upkeep.
Remote work
The freedom and flexibility remote work brings are excellent for self-starters. Analysts, developers, designers, and writers all thrive when left to do deep work, either at home or at a local coffee shop. The autonomy and lack of daily commute lead to better performance and job satisfaction.
That said, some remote workers feel isolated and miss the socialization aspect of in-office work. They may also be overlooked for promotions due to lesser visibility. Working remotely means you're more likely to use public Wi-Fi and be exposed to its dangers. Cybersecurity awareness and using tools like best antivirus are a must to ensure business data and client security.
Hybrid work
Touted as the most balanced option, hybrid work combines mandatory in-office days with periods of remote work. When executed correctly, this lets you brainstorm and schmooze one day while getting cognitively challenging work done back home the next. Project and product managers, consultants, and mid-level HR personnel all thrive when in-person activities regularly alternate with distraction-free days.
The emphasis here is on proper execution. If the company is managed poorly, you may find yourself in a “worst of both worlds” situation. For example, your remote time gets constantly interrupted on the one hand, and you have to show up in the office just to attend Zoom meetings on the other.
Digital nomadism
Becoming a digital nomad means embracing remote work and then turning that into the baseline of an unconventional lifestyle. It features most of the same benefits while also adding globetrotting and adventure into the mix. It’s great for people who want to see new vistas and experience other cultures. Depending on where you go, it can be cheap, too.
It’s important not to romanticize the lifestyle, though. Frequent changes of scenery mean there’s little time to form meaningful relationships. Plus, you always have to deal with visas and other paperwork. You would also have to adjust your working hours based on your colleagues' time zones, so communication isn’t easy when you’re out and about. Say your next adventure is in Barna, as the Spanish call it — then getting a Barcelona eSIM is one step to improve your connectivity and stay reachable while exploring the city.
Figuring out Which Suits You the Best
Now that you can weigh the pros and cons, you can narrow your choice down by asking the right questions.
- What kind of work do you do the most of? – If it’s something independent like writing or coding, remote work might be a good option. If you’re often in meetings or brainstorming sessions, office and hybrid are likely a better fit.
- Is flexibility important to you? – Not having to adhere to a rigid daily and weekly schedule makes remote and nomadic work very attractive.
- How keen are you on social interactions? – Go the in-office route if chatting to colleagues recharges your social battery. Hybrid is best for keeping up with everyone without getting overwhelmed. Introverted types may get by just fine without ever meeting their colleagues in person.
- Do you have a good remote setup? – You don’t need a full-blown home office, but a dedicated place where you can do work without interruptions is non-negotiable.
- Where are you in your career? – Office life offers clear benefits if you’re just starting out or angling for that promotion.
- What’s more important to you: stability or adventure? – Office and hybrid work provide the former; the digital nomad lifestyle champions the latter.
Take some time to think, answer these honestly, and you’ll come up with the right solution.