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Why Virtual Assisting is the Perfect Solution for Flexible Remote Professionals
Remote work has been around for quite some time—particularly since the dawn of the digital age—and is steadily gaining popularity. As the prevalence of remote work increases, so, too does the diversity of available jobs. As a result, whether you are looking for remote assistant jobs or remote admin jobs, there is something for everyone who wishes to work remotely—especially if you live in Latin America.
What Is Remote Work?
Virtual remote jobs consist of any type of job that allows professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment using modern technology. As mentioned, the concept of remote work truly began to gain mass appeal during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, many working professionals and employers alike realized that employees can still be effective away from the workplace. In fact, 77% of employees find they are more productive when working remotely, and 85% of employers foresee remote work staying popular well into the future.
Benefits of Remote Work
While remote work has many benefits, the majority are due to the flexible lifestyle created by virtual remote jobs. Workers find that remote work can make the work-life balance easier to achieve, providing more freedom for employees. For example, when you aren’t required to be in a physical office during the bulk of your day, you have more time to take care of matters outside of the office.
Remote work is also popular due to its positive impact on employee health and wellness. A report conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK found that 45% of employees reported being less stressed or having an overall better health and wellness experience. Another study reported that even before the pandemic, 69% of remote workers reported lower absenteeism than their in-office counterparts. In general, happy, healthy employees produce better work and often feel more committed to their companies.
Remote Work in Latin America
A global survey recently revealed that the percentage of global companies that utilized remote work rose from 15% to 74% by December of 2020. Remote jobs in Latin America continue to grow in popularity. During the pandemic, many companies began to realize what little financial sense it made financially to maintain the cost of facilities with the sole purpose of gathering workers. Researchers at the Global Labor Organization found that many countries in the southern cone are well-positioned for the transition to larger amounts of work done remotely—they estimate that 31% of jobs in Argentina could be done remotely, as well as 27% in both Chile and Brazil.
How to Work Remotely from Latin America
So, how do you find the right remote work for you? As mentioned, Latin America has become a hub for technology startups and other forms of remote employment. While finding a remote job in Latin America isn’t necessarily harder than finding in-person work, it is different than traditional job searches. There are numerous steps to consider when it comes to working remotely:
1. Assess Your Motivation
Before actively seeking a remote job, you’ll want to consider if it is the best choice for you. There are numerous pros and cons to working remotely, and you should consider your personality and motivation style first. For example, if you are an extrovert, you may feel isolated by working remotely. In addition, it is important to be self-motivated—the best remote workers are those who love their work and take pride in what they do.
2. Know What Remote Employers Are Looking For
Most remote companies are looking for someone who is trustworthy and dedicated—your potential employer is trusting you to be self-motivated, stay on task, prioritize appropriately, and meet deadlines and goals. Employers are also looking for employees who are strong problem-solvers. Unlike an office setting, you might not be able to receive feedback for some time when you work remotely.
3. Tailor Your Resume
A strong resume is key to finding remote work. Include any software tools you are already familiar with, especially task management tools or those used for communication like Skype, Zoom, or Trello. Highlight your ability to communicate, demonstrate autonomy, and include mention of some of the key qualities remote employers look for listed above. A portfolio would be a fantastic addition as well.
4. Conduct Your Search With an Agency
As remote working increases in popularity, many job-search sites are featuring remote virtual jobs. Some top choices include Flexjobs, Justremote, and Pangian, but these tend to focus on US-based jobs. You will also want to avoid sites like Monster and Indeed, which are too general and overpopulated. Virtual Latinos has a specific focus on Latin American countries and helps to match you with potential employers that are looking for talent like yours.
The time to begin your remote job search is now—Latin American remote work is growing quickly and getting in at the ground floor job can be extremely beneficial at this time. While residing in Latin America, you can take advantage of other countries that have a more established reliance on remote work, such as the US or Canada. In addition, you’ll be paid in valuable USD or CAD while living in a lower-cost area, increasing your chances at upward mobility.
Types of Remote Work
When it comes to remote work, the possibilities only continue to grow as more companies see the benefits of having their workers work remotely. Some of the most popular remote working opportunities include:
· Customer Service
In this field, you’ll need communication skills and an aptitude or background in retail, customer service, or marketing. Employment in this field could include customer service requests, virtual call centers, or customer service chat jobs.
· Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant jobs are especially on the rise, as a virtual assistant can take on several tasks according to the employer’s needs, including remote clerical work, marketing and content generation, and other general tasks. Remote virtual assistant jobs provide great stability, as well as the opportunity to work in a variety of different fields and areas of expertise.
· Teachers and Tutors
There is a growing demand for online instruction, especially after COVID-19. Bilingual individuals often teach English and Spanish language classes, as well as providing curriculum development, writing coaching, and adjunct teaching.
· Translating
Another job ideal for bilingual individuals, translating is a rising form of remote work. Duties could include working for a translating company, providing translation for a law firm or medical business, or translating news stories, articles, web pages, and books.
Remote Work Companies that Hire People from LATAM
Finding remote work companies that hire Latin American individuals doesn’t have to be difficult. The real task is identifying a trustworthy remote work agency. Some top companies to consider include:
· Virtual Latinos
When it comes to hiring remote from Latin America, Virtual Latinos can’t be beaten. In fact, Virtual Latinos was the first platform to focus on connecting Latin American professionals with remote assistant jobs with entrepreneurs and businesses from the US and Canada.
· Fiverr
Fiverr is an Israeli company that provides an online marketplace for freelance services. It allows job postings and applications for a diverse set of employment opportunities. One drawback is that many of these employment opportunities are temporary.
· UpWork
Formerly known as Elance-oDesk, UpWork is an American freelance platform. This platform is currently based in Santa Clara and San Francisco, California. UpWork boasts over 12 million registered freelancers and five million registered clients.
· Freelancer.com
This Australian freelance marketplace allows potential employers to post jobs that freelancers can bid to complete.
Common Misconceptions of Remote Work
As more individuals begin to work remotely and word spreads about the benefits of remote work, a number of misconceptions about remote work have arisen as well. Common misconceptions include:
· You Make Less with Remote Work
As with any career, your remote work wages will depend on the company you are working for, the type and amount of work you are doing, and your level of experience. In fact, remote work can prove quite advantageous for in a lower cost of living area working for a company in another country with comparatively higher wages.
· You’ll Always Be Online
Working remotely does not mean that you must be available 24/7, but simply that your working hours remain more flexible. Establish clear communication regarding your ability as well as your expected work output. Then, tailor your schedule accordingly to allow yourself flexibility without the need to work during your downtime.
· You Won’t Need Childcare
While working remotely provides a greater opportunity to be home with your spouse or children, your daily presence does not replace the need for childcare. While you may be working flexible hours in a home office, it is important to remember that you are working and will likely find yourself needing to focus on the task at hand. Most remote working parents find that they still need to arrange childcare or coordinate working hours with a spouse or other family member.
Remote Working: Ready for a Change
If you are ready to explore the world of remote work, Virtual Latinos is here to help. As the first platform focused on providing remote work for Latin Americans, we have built a process that has successfully helped hundreds of people find remote assistant jobs that fit their needs. Apply to Virtual Latinos today and begin your application process.
