Guide to Remote Work: What Are Remote Jobs?

Remote jobs have become more than just a trend. They’re now a defining feature of the modern workforce and a welcome change for most workers. After all, remote work offers a blend of freedom, flexibility, and career growth that the traditional office model simply can’t provide.

If you want a more balanced work-life or you’re curious about flexible work arrangements that offer more freedom, we’re here to help. In this guide, we answer the questions, “What are remote jobs?” and “What is remote work?” and explain the different types of remote work options available, from hybrid to fully remote jobs.

Additionally, you’ll learn about industries that commonly offer remote jobs, types of remote work schedules, remote work location options, and benefits and challenges to consider before starting your search for remote jobs.

What Are Remote Jobs?

Remote jobs are professional opportunities that allow you to work outside a traditional office setting, often from home or another location of your choice. While the responsibilities of a remote job may be similar to those of an on-site role, the key difference lies in where the work happens.

At the same time, remote jobs are defined by the position’s responsibilities, the employer’s needs, and the nature of the industry. If you’re self-employed or working as a freelancer, your personal preferences will also play a role.

What Is Remote Work?

Remote work is a flexible work arrangement that allows you to work virtually from almost any location using digital technology to perform your job. Also known as “work from home” or “telecommuting,” remote work does not require you to work in a traditional office environment.

Remote workers use online tools like email, videoconferencing, and cloud-based software to collaborate and complete tasks from various locations. All you need to work remotely is a strong internet connection, the technology necessary to perform your duties, and a productive work environment.

3 Common Types of Remote Work

Remote work offers distinct levels of flexibility and commitment. Understanding the types available can help you choose the level of remote work that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and career goals.

1. Fully Remote Work Meaning

Fully remote jobs don’t require you to report to an office and may be based in any location that aligns with your employer’s policies or time zone requirements. You may be able to work from anywhere in the world, or you may be required to work remotely within a specific city, state, or country. Your entire team or company may be fully remote, though some may work in an office or in a hybrid format due to the nature of their role or personal preferences.

2. Hybrid Remote Work Meaning

Hybrid remote jobs combine in-office and remote work, which means you’ll need to work within commuting distance of your office. Hybrid work models are common among companies that maintain physical headquarters but want to offer more flexibility. Companies offering hybrid jobs will determine how often you’ll be required to work in the office—usually a certain number of days per week or month. For instance, you might work from home on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but work in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

3. Option for Remote Work Meaning

Optional remote jobs offer the possibility of remote work but may not be fully remote by default. Sometimes the option is only available after a probationary period or if you’re located within a certain geographic region, after which you will have the option to work remotely full-time or part-time.

In addition to determining which level of remote work is right for you, you’ll need to decide if you want to work remotely for a company as an employee or be your own boss and work for yourself as a freelancer.

Employee remote jobs have a more traditional employment structure. As an employee, you’ll typically have an established role with defined responsibilities, a regular salary, and access to benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Freelance remote jobs offer maximum autonomy and the ability to work with multiple clients on various projects. As a freelancer, you have control over your work hours, the projects you take on, and your rates. While freelancing provides unparalleled flexibility, income can fluctuate, and benefits like health insurance and retirement planning are your responsibility.

Types of Remote Work Schedules

Along with different types of remote jobs, you can have different schedules based on working hours and the contractual agreement between you and your employer or client. Understanding the different types of work schedules available can help you clarify your job search and find the right remote work schedule for you.

Full-Time vs Part-Time Schedules

Working a full-time or part-time remote job depends on how many hours per week you want to work.

Full-time remote jobs: Like traditional full-time positions, full-time remote jobs typically involve working around 40 hours per week. When employed by a company, full-time roles often come with a consistent workload, stable income, and benefits packages. Freelance remote workers can also be full-time if they are willing and able to fill up their schedule with enough work.
Part-time remote jobs: Part-time remote work offers more flexibility in terms of the number of hours worked per week, often ranging from a few hours to around 30. Ideal for individuals who need to balance work with other commitments, such as family responsibilities, education, or other part-time jobs or freelance work, part-time jobs can provide a valuable source of income and professional engagement without a full-time commitment. Benefits vary by employer and the number of hours worked.

Traditional Schedules vs Flexible or Alternative Schedules

One of the great things about remote work is the schedule flexibility it can offer. Along with choosing between part-time and full-time remote jobs, consider other common scheduling options found in remote job descriptions:

Core hours: Some remote jobs require you to be available during specific hours, like 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST, for example. Teams can work collaboratively and schedule meetings during this time. Otherwise, you have the freedom to work the remainder of your hours at your convenience.
Alternative schedules: This is a broad category that includes any work schedule that does not fit into the standard 9-to-5 schedule. Alternative schedule jobs can include jobs with compressed workweeks, jobs you perform in the mornings or evenings, or weekend jobs.
Flexible schedules: Ideal for self-starters, flexible schedule jobs allow you to work whenever you’re most productive, be it early morning or late at night. Companies might set boundaries, though, such as no weekend hours, so ensure you clarify any scheduling requirements with your employer.
Office hours: Some companies still require remote teams to work a traditional 9-to-5 schedule or another set time frame determined by the employer.

Best Remote Career Categories

While legitimate remote jobs can be found across industries, some industries provide more opportunities for remote work than others. Some of the best career categories for remote jobs include:

Expand Your Boundaries: Location Options for Remote Work

Contrary to popular belief, remote work isn’t always restricted to your home, and most remote jobs come with location requirements. However, depending on your role and industry, you can often choose to work in an environment that fuels your productivity and creativity.

That might be a local coffee shop, a coworking space, or your parents’ guest room over the holidays. If you’ve dreamed of traveling while working, you can fuel your travel dreams with digital nomad jobs that let you work from anywhere in the world. If you’re a military spouse, you might embrace the flexibility to pack up and move your job with you. It’s up to you—and your employer!

For many remote workers, the ability to work from their home office is the ultimate work-life balance. They enjoy the routine of having a home office and daily hours but relish the serenity of skipping out on commuting, fluorescent lights, and coworkers’ fishy lunch smells. Ultimately, remote work lets you define your ideal work environment.

Benefits and Challenges of Remote Work

Like any career choice, there are pros and cons to remote work to consider before applying for jobs.

5 Benefits of Remote Work

Remote work offers a range of benefits beyond working from home. For many professionals, remote jobs provide the freedom and flexibility to thrive both personally and professionally, with advantages such as:

Flexibility and autonomy: Remote workers often have more control over their schedules, allowing them to plan their workday around peak productivity times or personal responsibilities. For many, this level of flexibility can lead to greater job satisfaction and improved performance.
Better work-life balance: Remote workers often have more time to spend with family, pursue hobbies, and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Without the need to commute or stick to rigid office hours, remote jobs provide more balance, which can reduce stress and prevent burnout.
Time and money saved: By eliminating the daily commute, remote workers can save on expenses like gas, public transportation, parking, and work attire while gaining back valuable hours each week.
Expanded job access: Remote work opens up job opportunities that may not exist locally. Job seekers can apply for roles at companies based in different cities, states, or even countries, giving them access to a wider range of employers and positions.
Increased productivity: Many remote workers report higher levels of focus and efficiency when working from home. With fewer in-office distractions and the ability to create a personalized workspace, productivity often improves in a remote work environment.

5 Challenges of Remote Work

While remote work offers many advantages, it also comes with unique challenges that require proactive strategies to overcome productivity obstacles. Fortunately, with the right tools and habits, many of these challenges can be successfully managed, including:

Isolation: Without the social interactions that naturally occur in an office environment, remote workers can feel disconnected or lonely. This means you must be proactive in fostering connections with your coworkers.
Distractions at home: Remote work requires self-discipline. Without a manager nearby or a structured office environment, you’ll need to set clear goals, establish routines, and minimize distractions to stay productive.
Blurred boundaries between work and home: To keep your work and personal lives separate, create a dedicated workspace in your home. Maintain a regular schedule with routines to enter “work mode” at the start of each workday and unplug at the end of the day.
Lack of on-site tech support: Reliable internet access, secure software, and effective communication tools are essential for remote work. You may need to troubleshoot tech issues independently when you work remotely, and you’ll need a backup plan for handling internet or power outages.
Communication hurdles: Asynchronous communication is common among remote teams, especially when team members are distributed across time zones or working flexible schedules. Miscommunications happen, so you’ll need to have strong communication skills and understand guidelines on the appropriate channels of communication and expected response times.

Find Your First Remote Job

Remote work is more than just a change in setting; it represents a broader shift in how work is performed, allowing individuals to structure their workdays in ways that support both productivity and personal well-being. Remote work challenges the idea that meaningful contributions can only happen in an office and proves that professionals can thrive from anywhere with the right tools.

No matter what you’re looking for—flexible work-from-home jobs, entry-level jobs you can do remotely, stay-at-home jobs for working parents, or side gigs from home—there’s a remote job for you. If you’re ready to find a remote career, the best place to start is with trusted resources designed specifically for remote job seekers.

At Remote.co, you’ll find a curated job board featuring legitimate remote jobs across more than 50 career categories. New jobs are posted daily, so start your search for a remote job today!