How to Work Remotely for Different Companies - Tips & Tricks
According to economist Nicholas Bloom, the coronavirus pandemic has boosted the remote working trend. 50% of employees will also keep working from home post-COVID-19, according to Gartner.
Remote work has undoubtedly changed how we work. Today, a person may work from home for different companies without affecting their productivity. It was not possible before, as you needed to be physically present at the office to work.
However, handling so many clients or employers can turn out to be a challenge. So, we are going to reveal some helpful tips to stay productive and manage your schedule. Moreover, we will find out how the best remote working platforms and remote working tools can be beneficial.
How to Work as a Remote Employee for Different Companies
You need to manage your time and work to be able to handle different companies. Below are a few ways you can work remotely for several companies with efficiency:
Prepare the Setting
The surroundings where you work make an impact on your performance. It may be easier to focus on your work in the office where you can work without disturbances.
However, the task may turn out challenging at home, especially if you have kids or live with family members. So, you first need to set the stage for working without disruptions.
You may:
Select a room where you can work without kids or noises
Let people in your home know about your working hours
Close the door while you work or attend meetings
Create an organized workspace and remove any clutter
Create a Plan
You must create a sound plan for the whole week to work for different companies. It may be a good idea to prioritize your tasks and create a to-do list. You may use your deadlines to create your list of priorities.
Next, assign days or hours you want to work on these tasks. Additionally, track how long you take to complete each task to understand your capability.
You can refine your plan based on your insights for better results and performance.
Adjust Your Availability
Working for different companies means you have to deal with endless notifications and messages from business communication apps. While it is necessary to reply to important messages, research shows too much interruption is not good for productivity.
Therefore, pause the notifications from companies you aren’t currently working with. You may even mark your status as “away” or “busy” to show you are unavailable.
Consequently, you may create a notification schedule and adjust it to your routine. You can reply to messages from specific employers at set times for best results.
Improve Visibility at Work
Working at the office makes you visible to your peers, boss, and CEO. You run into each other, share a few words, or talk about work. Your manager also interacts with you several times a day to perform tasks and workflows.
Unfortunately, working from home lowers your visibility at work. You may only be restricted to communication apps to show you are present and working. It may lead to a situation where you have to highlight your existence, especially if you are working for several companies.
You can try several ways like:
Set your work as your status on communication apps
Let your boss know what you are working on
Reply to messages quickly, even if it’s an acknowledgment
Ask your manager if they need anything from you
Being visible at work improves your chances of getting noticed. You may even put yourself on the list of candidates for promotion!
Use Remote Working Tools
Technology can go a long way to help you work productively for different employers from home. You can rely on the best remote working platforms to streamline workflows, manage projects, and improve productivity.
Some remote working tools you may consider can include:
Project management tools like Trello to stay on top of your projects
Communication apps like Slack
Billing and time tracking software like Clockify
A snipping tool for Mac to capture screenshots and videos
You may find similar tools with a simple Google, and do your research to pick the right ones for your needs. It is also possible to access many tools for free to save money.
Manage One Task at a Time
Multitasking has been proven to be a myth. We are far better at focusing on one task than trying to juggle numerous workflows at once.
As a result, concentrate on one task based on the plan you created. You can move to the next task once you complete your previous work or as per your schedule.
Additionally, take ample breaks from the screen during the day. You can go for a brisk walk of 10 minutes after working 2 - 3 hours at a stretch.
Set Up Reminders
You may forget about important meetings or tasks even after managing your remote work efficiently. It is not uncommon and can put you in the bad books of your manager or boss.
You can easily overcome this challenge by setting up reminders for vital tasks. It is possible to create reminders using Google Calendar, scheduling apps, or project management tools. You can get reminders as notifications on your mobile and never forget anything.
It also ensures you always attend to important tasks on time and become a top employee.
Final Thoughts
You can work remotely for different companies by creating a plan and a list of priorities. Additionally, stick to your schedule and use the best remote working platforms to track your progress. You should also work on one task at a time and try to improve visibility at work. Moreover, it is necessary to set aside time to socialize with friends and family. You must also put effort into balancing your work and life to avoid burnout.
