Job Searching in a Rural Area? Consider Flexible Work

Are you considering relocating to a rural area? What do you think your favorite thing about living outside of a city will be? Maybe the quiet, peaceful evenings listening to crickets and seeing stars instead of street lights? Or, maybe it’ll be going for a walk in an actual forest, rather than a city park? Perhaps the joy of having a larger yard, less traffic congestion, and being closer to loved ones is what’s pulling you.

Even though you’re eager for the changes, you’re likely concerned about the fewer job opportunities that rural areas have. Admittedly, this is a valid concern according to the Department of Agriculture’sEconomic Research Service (ERS), which shared data showing that nonmetro (or rural) areas consistently maintain lower rates of employment than their busier metro counterparts.

But don’t give up on your dreams. Instead, consider all of the ways you canbuild a flexible career in a rural location—possibly even with your current employer.

Discuss Flexible Work Options With Your Employer

Are you well-established in a career you love? You don’t have to wait for your employer to suggest remote work. Instead,start the conversationandpresent a case for moving your job to a remote roleyou can pack up and take with you.

Just because your employer doesn’t currently offer remote work as an option doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to consider the possibility. Your experience and track record within the company may make them more receptive to new ways to keep you on board. Keep the following tips in mind as you prepare for your meeting.

—Create a Precise Goal

Prepare for the conversation by getting clear on whattype of flexible work你之后。你需要一个completely remote role, or would a hybrid job be a better fit for you and the team? Wouldan alternative schedulethat allowed you to skip rush hour suffice?

After you’ve determined what type of flex you need,back up your request with details. That might include thetech you’d use to connectwith your team and ways this might benefit the organization.

For example, you can point out that remote work reduces overhead expenses. Or, if the employer is open to it, offer to travel into the office for team meetings and other events. They don’t have to commit right away, but staying persistent and being open to compromise will increase the chances of a successful outcome.

—Offer a Trial Run

If they seem open but hesitant about the idea, suggest a trial run. Perhaps you already havea home office setup. You can highlight that they won’t need to provide you with any tech until the trial is over.

如果他们愿意试一试,保证你clear on what a positive outcome entails and get an agreement in writing about working hours, communication, and other details.Keep data during the trial run to support continuing the flexafter the trial is over.

Not every employer will be willing or able to support a move to remote work, but it’s always worth asking the question if you love your job.

莫ve On to Researching Flexible Employers

If you struck out with your current company, it’s time tofind your new favorite employer.

—Begin With Local Companies

While there might not be as many employers in your new area, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Larger businesses have headquarters, satellite offices, and warehouses in multiple locations, meaning you might be able to finda hybrid jobwith a company you’re already familiar with.

You can also explore local chambers of commerce or small business associations. Many organizations have online resources to help youfind potential employers and openings.

Once you discover what companies have a presence in your new area, you canattend local events. Building relationships with community members to get your foot in the door can help uncover their flexible work options. It’s also worth exploringstate and local government jobsorfederal government jobsthat serve rural communities.

—Branch Out to Worldwide Opportunities

When you’ve exhausted your search for any local companies, it’s time to cast a wider net.Start withniche job boards, like the onehere at FlexJobs. You’ll discover that flexible and remote jobs are listed daily in over 50 career categories.

You can also join online communities andattend virtual job fairsand networking events to find additional leads. Andnetworking with professionalsin your field can help you learn about remote job openings that aren’t advertised publicly.

If you want to stay in the same industry, explore your current employer’s competitors or any companies you admire. Perhaps that’s a company known for itsemployee-first cultureor one you follow on social media because you’re passionate about similar causes.

Once you’ve identified some potential employers, explore what flexible work options they offer. You can find this information in job postings, company websites,and LinkedIn profilesof current employees.

—Explore Company Culture

Take the time to thoroughly research potential companies to get a feel for their culture and what sort of flexibility they offer. If there’s not a lot of info about their current remote openings, try connecting with an employee throughLinkedIn groups, or set upan informational interview.

莫st people are happy to talk about their experiences at their company and may be able to provideinsight into the flexible work options that are available.

Recognize Potential Challenges of Working in a Rural Area

Working remotely in a rural area may come with a few challenges. For example, you’ll need toconsider internet access and quality. And you’ll often have less access to childcare when you live in a rural area. Unfortunately, working remotely doesn’t remove the need to obtain quality care for your children while you’re working.

You’ll also need to be your own tech support. If you struggle to resolve technical challenges, try to determine where you’ll get tech support when you’re living in a remote area before you need it.

—Communication Has to Be Intentional

You should also anticipate some of the unique communication struggles that may arise. It will take a bit more effort to relate to your coworkers, colleagues, and other contacts in urban areas if you’re the only one on the team living rurally.

You’re generally more likely to lose power or connectivity in a rural setting during extreme weather events, and possibly for longer periods. You shouldcreate a backup planfor how you’ll communicate and meet work requirements during those periods.

—Some Industries Don’t Support Flexibility

While remote opportunities are growing daily, there are still industries that can’t support your prospective area. In that case, it might be time toconsider a career change. This might sound daunting at first, but you likely have manytransferable skillsthat will make it easier than you anticipate.

—Remote Location Requirements Vary

Before you launch your job search, it’s essential to recognize thata remote positionisn’t the same as awork-from-anywhere job.Many remote jobs still have location requirementsdue to occasional in-person meetings or employment legalities. So, before you expend effort on any job submissions, ensure that it’s a viable option for you.

Flexible Work Brings Opportunities to Rural Areas

Ultimately, the benefits of remote and flexible work often outweigh the potential challenges. With some research and planning, you canfind flexible work options that fit your lifestyle and your dream location. You just need to be willing to think outside the box and set precise goals tocreate the work-life balance you’re hoping for.

无论你的灵活的职业目标,我们可以lp you get there! Take the tour and discover the entire suite of career resources that FlexJobs has to offer.

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