Job Location: What it Means Then and Now

Because of the pandemic, businesses have changed how they worked. The ones that were mostly affected were airlines, hotels and restaurants, healthcare, and retail.

Nowadays, you don't have to move closer to your workplace because everything is mostly done online. Remote work is now an option for most people. This change pushed businesses to adapt to a new way of work.

Even if working remotely is hard—you can be sad from being alone too much or lose track of time—technology is here to help you with these challenges. With these innovations, you can also expect more job opportunities.

These opportunities came with a bonus: working from home.

What Job Location Used to Mean

In the past, job location restrained employees as they either had to move to the company's location or choose a job near their current home address. It didn't matter whether you had a white or a blue-collar job. Workers had to be in the office.

Since employees had to come into the workspace, it was ideal to live near the office. Otherwise, it becomes a hassle to travel to and from the workplace. For instance, going on a one-hour trip every day for work consumes time and energy, which affects an employee's productivity.

Aside from transportation concerns, job location is important in urgent situations. Living in the same city as the workplace would be convenient.

For example, a manager needs to discuss critical issues with their team through a face-to-face meeting. Likewise, it would be better to live near the hospital for emergency calls if you were a doctor.

What Work Location Means Today

• Remote work

  Work-from-home existed before the pandemic, but now more companies are shifting and welcoming this practice. Today, job location doesn't matter as it used to.

  There are tons of jobs for everyone. From entry-level positions to professional jobs, applicants have many opportunities.

  Workers usually need a stable internet connection, an operational computer, and the required skill sets qualified for remote work. Video calls and chat apps smooth communication, while other online business tools allow better collaboration and project management.

  Even though technology has advanced, there are still jobs with manual labor or requiring a face-to-face setup. These include construction workers, firefighters, plumbers, teachers, and entertainers.

• Alternative lifestyle

  Employees who have the luxury of working from home can explore varying lifestyles. They can travel as they please and explore different parts of the globe. They can also settle in an isolated small town or tropical island to pick up a quiet way of living.

  You can delve into alternative lifestyles as long as you can be productive and deliver output when needed.

• Freedom

  Remote workers enjoy flexible work hours, making work-life balance attainable. It means less stress, translating to better emotional and mental well-being. Busy individuals such as parents can also manage their time and personal responsibilities when working from home.

  Some employees suffer the daily stresses of commuting to the office. But remote work eliminates that hassle. The much-needed walk around the block and power naps are also perks of working from home.

  Another benefit of remote work is choosing which hours to work based on whether you're a morning or night person.

Why Might Location Be Important When Searching for a Job

Although job location is still important, especially for specific types of work, it's no longer a priority consideration for job hunters. Many companies don't require employees to report to their offices. Some never have to visit the workspace at all.

Technological advances and the pandemic have pushed people to cope and adjust to a remote setting, offering convenience and numerous advantages. Find out if there are remote work opportunities for you. Check out Career.com.