What does your ideal work routine look like?
If you’ve found yourself dreaming of working from a neighborhood café, your bed, or even a beach, remote work might just be the change you're looking for.
Whether you’re an experienced professional looking for a routine change or just starting your first job hunt, remote work offers a balanced and flexible way to live and work. For Latin American professionals, remote working also opens up exciting opportunities to work with international companies, especially from the comfort of your own home (and yes, you can say goodbye to commuting!).
But with flexibility come some questions: Is remote working the right fit for you? How do you transition from your office desk to your living room desk—or even your kitchen table? And what’s the deal with freelancing, contract jobs, and all those shiny full-time remote roles?
Let's dive in!
In a nutshell, remote working means doing your job without ever having to be in an office.
Unlike traditional jobs where you need to show up at a company headquarters every day, remote working lets you work anywhere with an internet connection. For many of us, this newfound freedom is a game-changer, especially in places like Latin America, where getting fully remote opportunities is now easier than ever.
The thing is, remote working isn’t just about getting away from the office. When you start working remotely you get the freedom to design your own work environment and routine, and no one will ever question if you're an early bird or a night owl. Plus, it removes the stress of commuting, giving you more time to focus on what really matters: getting the job done (and maybe some extra hours for yourself!).
So one thing’s for sure: this workstyle is here to stay, and here we’ll help you figure out if it's your perfect match.
Here are some key reasons why remote work might be a game-changer for you:
One of the most popular benefits of remote work is the flexibility it brings, and it's true: you get to design your own workday.
For parents, for example, remote work is an opportunity to get more free time they can dedicate to their family. For those with other personal commitments or side projects, remote work offers the time freedom to balance both without feeling overwhelmed.
Remote work means you can live anywhere—and yes, you can also forget about excessively long commutes. For Latin American professionals, remote work also offers them opportunities to collaborate with US-based companies without needing to relocate.
Some companies even give you the freedom to travel while you work, so you get to experience new places and cultures without having to be on vacation. So if you're interested in becoming a digital nomad, working remotely is the first step!
Remote jobs can save you a lot more than you might think. Without the daily commute, you don't need to spend money on gas or public transport, and you also don’t need to worry about lunch runs. All those little expenses that add up during your office days? They disappear when you’re working from home.
And let's not forget the best thing you can save: time. Remote work gives you back the hours you would spend commuting to a regular job, and they become time you can use to focus on personal hobbies, exercise, or just relax.
For some, the traditional office environment is filled with distractions—chatter from coworkers, endless meetings, and all the office noise. With remote work the environment is yours to control, so you can find ways to eliminate interruptions and focus on getting things done.
Although this is a popular belief, remote work isn't just for tech professionals! Today, many industries offer remote roles, opening up new career paths for people across different fields. Here are some sectors offering remote opportunities:
Well, not everything can be ideal. Remote working comes with a set of challenges that can be overcome if you're willing to adapt and find creative solutions to everyday problems. Here are some of the challenges remote workers can struggle with:
Who knew one of the most popular benefits of remote working could also be one of its biggest challenges?
We're talking about flexibility. When you work remotely you're the only one responsible for staying productive during working hours, and sometimes this freedom can lead to procrastination. And yes, that would include binge-watching your favorite show during extra-long lunch breaks.
Staying motivated while working from the comfort of your own home means you might need to find new ways to stay focused. To overcome this challenge, setting up a schedule, creating to-do lists, or even using productivity apps can help you stay organized.
Working from home can be peaceful, but it can also start feeling lonely pretty quickly. You wouldn't be having the spontaneous coffee breaks or hallway chats that make offices social spaces, and for remote workers, this isolation can be quite intimidating.
To overcome this, regular video calls, messaging apps, and even virtual lunch breaks with your coworkers can go a long way in building a team spirit.
Finding boundaries is crucial (and tricky) when your office is just a few steps away from your bed. It can be really easy to fall into the habit of checking emails after hours, working late at night or you can even find yourself forgetting to eat lunch.
Before all of this happens and you get dangerously close to being burnt out, you can prioritize creating boundaries. Set a designated workspace (even just a corner of your room can work), and try your best to stick to defined working hours. When the workday ends, close your laptop, shut down any work apps, and give yourself time to wind down.
Even if you love the flexibility remote work provides, it's crucial to establish a routine you feel comfortable with. This means setting designated work hours and committing to them, and if you're living with other people, you may also want to let them know what your schedule looks like to avoid interruptions.
Remember—this routine can look different for different people! If you know your peak productivity hours are later in the afternoon, you may want to try starting work a bit later in the day to adapt. Just keep in mind the boundaries we talked about earlier to avoid finding yourself checking emails at 2 a.m. (believe us, nobody wants that!)
Learning how to communicate clearly is one of the best things you can do to make sure you and your team are on the same page. This means regularly checking in with your coworkers, asking questions, and providing updates to keep things running smoothly. Overcommunicate if necessary—For remote teams, staying proactive can go a long way!
Focusing on communication can also help you fight the feeling of isolation that can come with working remotely. Building genuine connections with your coworkers can make your routine less lonely, and sometimes a one-on-one meeting can be all you need, even if you're not there face to face.
We mean it! Make sure you make time for resting, eating, and exercising properly in your routine. Taking care of your health will help you keep your energy and focus levels high, and it might even improve your productivity.
So, you’re ready to go remote! But before you make the leap, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re well-prepared for remote work life:
At WeHire we specialize in connecting talent from Latin American countries with the best US-based companies, and if you're ready to get your first fully remote experience, we want to meet you! Check out our candidate page to find our open roles, and if none of the opportunities resonate with you, you can also fill out our candidate form to tell us more about your experience.
Remote work is here to stay, and it can be the way to find the work-life balance you're looking for. So if you're ready to leave the office days behind and start building your own routines while boosting your career, start by updating your CV and get ready to explore a world of possibilities! 🚀
