The way we work today is dramatically different from the way we worked just a couple of years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered the professional landscape across industries. Remote work, already a growing trend, became an overnight necessity. And though some employers have returned to the traditional office environment, many others realize that remote is here to stay.
What does this mean? In some cases, it means new opportunities and new remote careers. Current research shows that, in the wake of the pandemic, many professionals will need to switch jobs by the time we reach the next decade.
It can be a scary and uncertain prospect, but it's also an exciting time to explore new job opportunities and career paths. We've compiled some of the latest remote-focused careers that have been born out of the pandemic:
Whether a company chooses to go fully remote or take a hybrid approach, they'll need someone they can lean on to ensure that the day-to-day operations run smoothly. Sometimes called just the Head of Remote, Director or Remote Operations, or Chief of Remote Operations, this individual is responsible for:
This role is sometimes grouped in with the Head of Remote Operations. But in many companies, it's an entirely separate position that focuses more intently on people. It may also be a role that's created as part of a larger HR team. A Head of Remote People is often responsible for:
Way back in 2020, most of us got an unplanned crash course in Zoom. The go-to video conferencing platform became the biggest name in the industry, but it didn't come without challenges. Those who already worked from home or worked remotely had little problem adapting to the upswing in video conferencing. But for those who had never had a need, the sudden change was difficult. Even now, the various issues around video conferencing present a major hurdle for some companies.
A Video Conferencing Facilitator is a relatively new role that breaks down these barriers by ensuring video meetings run smoothly and without technical glitches. A Video Conferencing Facilitator is responsible for:
Conferences, conventions, and networking events took a major hit at the height of the pandemic. Resourceful companies quickly looked for ways to host their events in the virtual space. Many noted that attendees missed interacting in person, while others found that virtual events allowed them to reach a whole new market and engage in a meaningful way. With more companies allowing full-time remote work across a variety of industries, virtual events will become even more commonplace.
A Virtual Event Planner is responsible for:
There are thousands of performance and data analyst positions on job search sites that can be done remotely. However, in this case, we're talking about positions that are specifically focused on measuring and tracking the performance of remote employees. This role may stand on its own, though often you'll find some responsibilities woven into other roles, such as Head of Remote People. Specific duties for a remote performance analyst include: