Recently tech giants Google, Microsoft, Uber, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple all announced a return to the office. Others like Salesforce and Spotify declared a new normal – work from anywhere – leaving to employees to decide in-office, mix, or fully remote. So what gives with all this corporate double-talk and posturing?
Overemployed foresees a coming struggle between tech companies and their workers around the permanent work from home situation. Remote-first companies will benefit the most, as well as those who have mastered working two remote jobs concurrently. Subscribe to learn more.
Big Tech Executives Want You Back Into The Office
Polls after polls ran by Overemployed have shown a majority of tech workers prefer to working from home – who wouldn’t if given the choice? The Pandemic made it mandatory. But then why Big Tech is hell-bent on putting down the revolution? Quite simply, because they can. Big Tech pays top dollars, and with that comes big expectations including being in the office. Plus, Big Tech has invested billions into real estate and perks to attract and encourage in-office collaboration – so why aren’t you, Mr. Employee, in the office? Undoubtedly, peer and boss pressure will force even the most ardent proponent of work from home to go back into the office.
So say goodbye to work-from-home privileges and say hello to in-office face time – the aha moment is driving many to start looking for alternatives. For those currently with two remote jobs, this means the value of your jobs just went up. But will the demand spike last? Overemployed believes the trend will continue because many have excelled and even enjoyed working from home – and these workers will want to keep their newfound freedom indeterminably. Unfortunately, this also makes landing remote jobs a lot more competitive. Learn how to excel in this competitive environment with Overemployed’s Job Search 2.0.
In-Office Versus Full-Time Remote
The decision comes down to life priorities. While working two full-time remote jobs may require 50-60 hours per week (though I’ve managed to keep it at 40 hours or less), the flexibility and time saved from the commute have allowed many to enjoy the snippets of life while working, like having coffee with a spouse or taking walks with the kids or the occasional beer with a neighbor.
While some are chomping at the bit to return to the office (and good for them), many others are realizing the flexibility and freedom of working remotely. For the entrepreneurial few, it appears the increased productivity could lead to double-remote employment. Therefore, with all things being equal, the decision to work in-office or remote is a lifestyle choice. The biggest advantage of being remote is the freedom to allocate your time as efficiently and inefficiently as you see fit. Want to work two remote jobs? Go for it. Start a side hustle? Yes! Want to chill with your family? You can do that too. Maybe you can do all three. The problem is, as a hiring manager friend has told me recently, his remote-first company had 1,000+ applications for his one hire!
How To Win The Race Of Landing Remote Jobs At Remote-First Companies
Now buyers of remote jobs beware – not all remote jobs are created equal. In our experience, remote-first or majority remote is the strongest factor in remote job happiness. Is your boss remote? If not, then it’s probably not the right remote job.
To win, you’ll need to be a snowflake. Because special skills pay, as noted in Why Tech. If you don’t, then work on a plan to acquire rarified skills which will take time. The backup plan is competing on process excellence and throughput, systematized in Job Search 2.0 and Your Job Search Meets Tech Sales.
Finally, you need advanced intel before engaging in an all-out race. Whether is through your own network or paid for intel with curated Top Remote Companies, you need to have advanced targeting info or you’ll lose out on opportunities. In a game of musical chairs, it pays to know where the chairs are ahead of time. Join the Overemployed newsletter for our weekly update.
Ready, Set, Go
In closing, there’ll be an arms race for fully remote jobs. Get smart and get ahead. Else, embrace the commute and long hours in the office. C’est la vie!
I think the biggest reason they want you back in the office is to micromanage. They want to watch your every move. They want to make sure your butt is in that seat looking busy. If you work remote they can’t control how you spend every minute of your time. It’s all a power game and right now the workers have the power.
100% agree. But now “they” are losing, because knowledge workers were all unplugged on the Matrix, and now realize how much power we have. “They” need us more. And “they” are struggling to find butts right now that are willing to go back into office.
Thank you, for your website it is very informative.
I only been there two years and can not take it anymore. I am surprised I lasted this long. I am an introvert and I am leaving my cure job because for the following reasons.
1. Too much micromanagement. From the time wall in the door and start working I have to use excel to input what I am working on and how long it took me to work on it and the processes of me working on it. Almost everything I do I have to put on the dumb-ass spreadsheet. They only thing we do not put on there is lunch break and bathroom. Oh wow!
2. Boss is a narcissistic woman who throws tantrums. It is her way or no way. When you bring her ideas she destroys your idea and then comes back and bring it as though it was her own idea.
3. She watches employs and pass by to see what they a working on.
4. She comes and ask what are you guys working just to dictate what we should do.
5. Tells employees their jobs and what they should do, but she does ever know how to do our jobs.
6. Too much politics and bureaucracy.
Today is my last day working for this Hospital. I am so glad and feel a load off my shoulders. Remote world here I come.
Good for you Kiki! Get yours!!