A Guide For Recent Graduates Deciding Between Remote Work, Office Life, Or Hybrid

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Recent graduates searching for their first professional job need to seriously consider the benefits versus drawbacks of both in-office and remote jobs.

While some industries and fields have always had more robust remote work structures, such as information technology and customer service, there have never been more opportunities across the board for people who wish to work remotely than there are right now. You’ve got options. However, not all employers are dancing on top of their desks about it.

Many major companies are trying to reinstitute, even mandate, in-office work. To give you an idea of the “back to the office” mindset, recently a prominent CEO landed in the papers for saying that professionals working remotely “didn’t work as hard.” That’s not an isolated opinion and there are a lot of other reasons the people who sign the paychecks want their employees to be in the office – and they’re not all unreasonable. 

In the middle, are hybrid schedules, which is exactly like it sounds. Part remote, part in the office. Sounds like the best of both worlds and maybe it is. Nobody can decide what’s best for you except you. However, you just graduated from school and, with all due respect for your academic achievements, extracurriculars, internships, awards, or whatever you’ve got on your resume, you don’t know anything yet.

What is the right thing to do? For recent graduates, the question is not opportunity but mastery. You’re not just looking for a new job. You’re creating a foundation for your long-term professional goals and whether you work remotely or in an office can profoundly affect that trajectory. Let’s look at the pros and cons of remote work vs. office from that perspective. 

Pros of Remote Work:

·       Life is expensive, especially in big cities where most Fortune 500 companies are located. Rent, car, gas, work wardrobe, parking, lunch, coffee break, and on and on. The daily mechanics of going into an office is a steady stream of expenses that add up. If you’re on your laptop sitting in your den, those expenses are reduced or eliminated. It is almost a compensation increase, which can be very attractive to young professionals living on their own for the first time or those carrying student loan debt.  

·       No commute. Ever driven in Los Angeles? New York? Chicago? There are no upsides to fighting traffic to get to work on time. If you use public transportation it takes longer, it’s unreliable, and it smells like unhappiness. Time is the most precious commodity in life. Every minute counts. If your commute is from your bedroom to your den, or, at worse, the coffee shop on the corner, your mornings may be easier than the norm.

·       Work-life balance. Up to now, your whole life has been balance. There is no such thing as school-life balance. Even if you are working your way through school, it’s not the same. As you progress through your career and life’s milestones (marriage, children, caring for elderly parents, etc.), work-life balance becomes more and more important.

·       If you’re 100% remote, you can live anywhere.

·       Many people thrive in environments where they can set the agenda and actually do their best work remotely.

Pros of In-Office Work:

·      You’re just starting out. You need to learn your job. You need to know who your co-workers are. You need to experience the culture of your company. That’s not as easy through Zoom.

·      Do not underestimate the benefit of mentors. It’s human nature for experienced people to help younger workers navigate the professional world and teach them the ins and outs of the business.

·      There is no substitute for face-to-face collaboration. Engagement is a key that unlocks many doors.

·      As someone starting their career, visibility is important. If people can see your face and look you in the eye every day, they know who they’re dealing with and their perception is that you’re present and making the effort required to succeed.

·      Special assignments, advancement, and promotions may occur more expediently for people in the office than workers who see their coworkers, bosses, and clients on their laptop screens for a limited amount of time per day. There is no “water cooler” if you’re working remotely.

·      It’s easier to build trust and credibility in the office.

Bonus tips:

·      Don’t assume remote will be better or that you will like it better.

·    Don’t assume that because you work in the office and have more extended face time with your company’s decision-makers, stakeholders, and clients you will automatically rise to the top. No matter where you are, the quality of your work is what will ultimately count the most.

·      If you’ve already landed your first “office job,” but want to work remotely or have a hybrid schedule, the best course of action is to ask your manager what they think. Just because you want to work remotely doesn’t mean you will be allowed.

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Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

Kickstarting Your Career: Why You Should Prepare Your First Resume Sooner Than You Think

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Many people know early in life which direction they want their career to go, but it’s the rare soul that turns that knowledge into a professional resume. Even the most career-oriented student most likely doesn’t have a resume to use in applying for a college internship or, even more common, they procrastinate until they’re deep into their final semester before graduation (I admit nothing…). The arguments use to be that, typically, a resume wasn’t absolutely necessary until you were interviewing for your first post-graduation, full-time, professional job. That is no longer the case.

Some colleges now ask for resumes as part of their enrollment applications. Applying for any job or internship, whether during high school or college, has become more laborious, AI-driven, and in-depth. Basic information on a generic application is a thing of the past. Employers want to see resumes, LinkedIn profiles, job board profiles, social media accounts, and the details of any accomplishments that may differentiate you from another candidate.

When is it too early in your career to develop a resume? First off, dispel with the idea that developing a resume is a finite process that’s only necessary when you’re actively searching for a new job. A resume is a fluid living document that should be updated on a regular basis, and, second, you must be proactive in documenting your achievements in real time, ideally with measurable results as appropriate.

The earlier you start to develop a resume, the easier it is to modify and build into a professional document as you advance through the stages of your education and work life. You are the sole author of your story – and you must provide the details that give your story credence and authenticity.

Developing a resume in this way requires an advanced level of diligence whether you’re a high school student applying to a college or a senior executive at the top of your field. It’s a career-long engagement. Here are five things to consider if you recognize the future-thinking long-term benefits of resume development at an early age:

·      It is never too early to start developing a resume. Even if you’re a high school student who’s just completed your first summer job, the exercise of creating a basic resume with your one job on it means you’re ahead of the game and when the time comes when you need a resume it will be easier to update.

·      Document your achievements. This is probably the hardest thing to do. First, you have to remember to do it, and, second, you have to remember to do it. If you are disciplined enough, the best course is to keep a running journal of what you do in any given position. The more salient details the better.

·      Get the metrics. Now that you’ve remembered to document your latest work accomplishment, the best thing you can do to bolster your position is to include metrics. This can be tricky if you don’t have access to the kind of data that may help you. If necessary, request the data from the appropriate person as soon as possible. This is another important area where incremental changes to your resume is the best methodology. If you wait until you need a resume (e.g., termination, dream-job opportunity, moving to a city, etc.), willingness to share sensitive internal data, such as sales figures, may be non-existent.

·      There’s nothing like a good job appraisal. Many jobs – even part time roles or internships – have periodic performance appraisals designed to guide you to a higher level in your career. While many people hate writing self-assessments and appraisals are certain to include constructive criticism, the final documented appraisal can be a treasure trove of information you can mine for your resume. Take an appraisal process seriously and use it as way to get as much information as you can about the work you’ve done and its impact.

·      The fact you even have a resume at an early age is a great first impression. If you develop a resume long before you may even need one, it’s easier to update, it’s a stronger more impactful document, and instantly creates the perception you are an ambitious, career-oriented individual who takes their future vocation seriously. It will make a positive impression on savvy recruiters and hiring managers.

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 Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.

In College And Looking For Real-World Experience? Consider Co-Op Programs

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It’s a well-established fact that internships are an excellent way for students (or workers of any age and circumstance) to invest in their professional future. Students who work internships throughout their collegiate years are better positioned to land and master their first post-graduate professional job. Internships provide real-world work experience, prized business contacts, and potential references that may ease your transition from school to professional.

There is, however, a more robust and immersive approach to experiential education and academic studies – the co-op. Like internships, co-op jobs provide work experience to students while they earn their degrees. Unlike internships, co-op programs put work and academics on equal footing. There are colleges whose academic structure and curriculum are rooted in the co-op model. For example, Boston’s Northeastern University (among other leading universities) organizes its semesters to accommodate a robust co-op curriculum.

So, what are the differences between internships and co-op programs?

The philosophy behind internships is simple. You concentrate on an academic goal – graduating - and supplement your studies by working short-term jobs in your specialty, primarily during the summer. The co-op route is more complex. Co-op programs integrate academic curriculums with extended job experiences. You have the opportunity to go deeper into your role than an internship affords – co-ops often last a whole semester, or longer.

The main differences are:

1.     Your relationship with your school. If you want to work an internship, your school’s career center is a great way to get help, and referrals and references from professors are always welcome. No academic time needs to be sacrificed. If you’re at a school with a co-op structure or programs, you will spend just as much time away from your school as you will in it.

2.     Schedule. Internships are worked during the interludes of the academic year. Co-op jobs can last up to six months.

3.     Immersion. Given the difference in internship vs. co-op structures and schedules, it is worth noting how vastly different these educational experiences are. Internships are voluntary additions to academic work that do not interfere with the academic schedule. Co-op schools/programs require equal commitment between work and studying, and operate outside the rhythms of most colleges and universities.

Co-op programs have their advantages:

• Because you spend so much time “at work” you should learn more than you would at an internship. It is also fair to say that the businesses offering co-op jobs have high expectations of their employees and will put you to work at much more than fetching coffee. Not only will you have extended and invaluable real-world work experience, but it will also be at a higher level. Your skill sets will sharpen.

• You have time to develop in-depth relationships with your co-workers, which can be called by another name – mentorship. Mentorship and guidance are included part and parcel of the co-op package.

• You increase your chances of getting a permanent job post-graduation. Let’s say you make only one major ally during your co-op job that will go to the mat for you when the time comes to get your first “real” job, you have a major advantage over most graduates.

• Working in the trenches changes your approach to your academic studies. Your time in the "working world” will make you a more discriminating scholar. For one thing, you may appreciate being in a classroom in a way you would otherwise lack, and your studies will be viewed through the kaleidoscope of your co-op work experience.

• There’s potential to earn more money. Co-op jobs tend to pay more and for a longer period of time.

Co-op programs also have their disadvantages.

• Extended work experiences may mean that it could take longer to finish your degree, which requires the resources to sustain long-term academic expenses and the commitment to finish your studies regardless of the required time.

• Many people may find the schedule to be challenging if not unsustainable. On paper, it looks great but transitioning between extended periods in the classroom and at work may be difficult. Not everyone can conform to the unique demands of a co-op program.

• Extended absence from your studies may interrupt your momentum. You may be excelling in your coursework and the switch to work takes you out of that groove. Conversely, you could be just hitting your stride at your co-op job when it ends and you’re back in the classroom.

• The challenges and expenses of earning a college degree are already significant and stressful. The pressures of work never sleep. Choosing to do both in equal measure requires a formidable constitution.

Internships and co-ops share the fundamental belief that students benefit from academics and work in tandem, and prepare them for their future in a way that academics alone cannot achieve. Do your research. The opportunities are out there.

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Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.