Staples is releasing a survey Tuesday on web worker happiness, but rather than capture why remote workers are content with their lot, Staples aims to get at exactly how thrilled they are to not have to go into the office.…
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Why are web workers happier?
The research is conclusive: compared to office-based colleagues, those who are free to work where they choose are happier with their jobs. But why is this? The answer isn’t as clear as it might first appear to web work boosters.…
Read MoreNew book offers tips on how to “future proof” your career
The future, as any science fiction fan can tell you, can be as scary as it can be exciting. Is there anything we can do, when it comes to work, to reduce the anxiety of the future and prepare ourselves to weather economic and technological change?…
Read More5 ways to pay it forward and get ahead
Most helpful folks are well-connected to a large network of people, but they don't build this network by being selfish and difficult to work with. They're usually generous and "pay it forward" in return for the help they've received from other people.…
Read MoreLinkedIn’s Digital Resume and the World of Work
The IPO of LinkedIn is probably the most significant web stock issue since Google, so I wanted to take a moment to reflect on LinkedIn's impact on the world of work. LinkedIn's "digital resume" has become an important tool for connecting job seekers and employers…
Read MoreMillennials Prefer Freelancing, Study Says
I've been given a sneak peak at an Elance study that investigates the attitudes of "millennials" to work, their careers and job searching. Perhaps the most interesting finding in the study is how positive the millenials are about freelancing as a career choice.…
Read MoreTraining a Distributed Team
Training timelines seem to grow by leaps and bounds whenever there's a little distance between the trainer and the trainees. When you're working with a virtual team you can't let the fact that you don't see every member of your team in person slow you down.…
Read MoreHow to Induct a New Remote Team Member
Inducting a new remote team member can be a real challenge -- especially as they'll be working off-site. Your remote recruit's future performance in your team will depend, in part, on your ability to induct them successfully. There are four key factors to consider.…
Read MoreJobs 2.0: Data-centric Jobs for Generation Y
While some may say that Generation Y are slackers, I think they’re just waiting around for the next crop of interesting jobs. Well, good news, 20-somethings, the new fall line of jobs is here! You’ll note that most of these jobs center around one thing: data.…
Read MoreReport: Hiring Up for Workers With Mobile, Language Skills
A new report evaluating recent job postings for remote workers found that employers are looking to hire mobile developers. The report also showed an increase in postings for experts in such languages as Spanish, German and Korean, and for business planning and market strategy professionals.…
Read MoreIgnite Your Passion in the New Year
It can be too easy to slip into the daily routine without thinking about what you love to do. What do you really want to be working on? Here are a few suggestions for finding ways to do what you love, and still pay the bills.…
Read MoreHow to Balance Ongoing Health Treatment With Your Work
Undergoing continued health treatment while you're working full-time remains a challenge -- especially for the freelancer or contractor. The good news is that balancing work and ongoing health treatment isn't impossible. These are a few of the techniques I've used to make it easier.…
Read MoreWhat Web Workers Want (And Feel They’re Not Getting Now)
Sure, your company might have neat job perks, but unless it can also compete on the basics, it'll likely lose staff to the job opportunities coming their way every day. Here are the five benefits the web workers I know want in their next job:…
Read MoreOut of Sight, Out of Mind? Remote Relationship Building 101
Although I work remotely, I recently took a full-time two-month contract -- and, in my existing clients' eyes, became even more remote than usual. I could see the break in contact very quickly undermining the relationships I'd worked so hard to develop.…
Read MoreA Day in the Life of a Community Manager
Online community management careers are particularly well-suited to web working, since it’s possible to manage an online community from any location with a stable Internet connection. I thought it would be fun to take a look at a day in my life as a community manager.…
Read MoreWhy Online Job Hunting Feels So Weird
I've found that embarking on an online job hunt takes more than just a great resume, time, and resilience. Personally, I find the whole process pretty strange, but the characteristics of web-based recruitment set particular challenges for the independent web worker.…
Read MoreHow to Design Your Own Exit
Rather than simply bowing out of a job when something better comes along, it can be more rewarding and satisfying -- and better for your reputation and future prospects -- to design your own exit from the company.…
Read MoreHow to Have a Productive First Week in a New Job as a Remote Employee
One of the most difficult periods in any job is the first few weeks, while you are getting to know your team and your new job. It's a difficult time for any employee, but it can be even more difficult for employees who are telecommuting.…
Read MoreThe Olympic Spirit: Exemplars of the Niche Professional
As I'm watching all of these events, I'm struck by one thing in particular: All of these athletes represent the consummate niche professional. They do one thing (or sometimes two or three, but all under the same basic umbrella) and they do it very, very well.…
Read MoreHow Mel Gibson Can Help Your Content Strategy
I saw Mel Gibson on a talk show last night. The host asked him about his "Three E" approach to movie making. He responded that there are three things he tries to achieve with his movies: first entertain, then educate, and then, if possible, elevate.…
Read MoreWeb Worker Jobs You Can Do Anywhere
Whether you’ve been a web worker for a while or are just starting out, we’ve provided many tips for preparing and managing…
Read MoreRecreate Your Resume: New Takes On an Old Favorite
Looking for a new job next year? If you’re updating your paper resume, you might like the graphical resumes presented at Fast…
Read MoreUse a Personal USP to Help Shape Your Future
In the wonderful world of marketing, every product must have a USP — a unique selling proposition that explains what the product…
Read MoreThe Hard Truth: A Realist Take on Freelancing
While not all web worker are freelancers, a good portion of them are — and a freelance lifestyle is part of the…
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