Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
Remote work offers the flexibility and freedom that many people in today’s workforce crave.
Whether you’re looking to skip the daily commute, become a digital nomad, or simply prefer working from a home office, there are a wide variety of remote work options available to job seekers with varying needs and preferences.
But what does remote work mean? What types of remote jobs are out there, and what do the schedules look like?
In this guide, we’re covering the meaning of remote jobs, including answers to common questions about the definition of remote work and what it means for you as a job seeker.
What Is a Remote Job?
Picture the woman you always see at a cafe with her laptop, your friend with a home office that looks straight out of a design magazine, or even that one adventurous friend living out of a van while traveling the country.
These people likely have remote jobs that offer the kind of flexibility that suits different lifestyles and work habits.
Remote Job Definition and Meaning
Remote jobs are positions where employees perform their duties outside of a traditional office environment. These roles typically use digital tools, like video calls, email, and project management software, to keep tasks on track and teams connected.
Remote jobs can be fully remote, partially remote, full-time, part-time, freelance, or temporary. Some remote jobs require fixed schedules, while others may offer flexible schedules.
Remote jobs can also entail a combination of two or more of these work arrangements. For example, a temporary, fully remote job with a part-time schedule, or a partially remote job with a full-time, flexible schedule.
What Is Remote Work?
Imagine spending Mondays and Fridays in the comfort of your home office, then heading into the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for meetings and coffee chats.
Or, think of your friend from earlier, working from a van and taking their “office” wherever they go.
Remote work is the broader concept that covers all these setups, whether fully remote or a mix of in-office and off-site work.
Remote Work Definition and Meaning
Remote work is the practice of completing job responsibilities from a location outside of a central office, such as from home, a coworking space, or while traveling.
Remote work relies on technology to facilitate communication and productivity and can include fully remote roles, hybrid remote work, or other flexible arrangements, depending on the job and company structure.
Levels of Remote Work
So, what does remote mean for a job? There are different levels of remote work, depending on each employer’s needs.
At FlexJobs, we list remote jobs as one of the following levels:
- 100% Remote Work: These positions are fully remote and allow you to work from home for all of your working hours, with no in-office time or travel required.
- Hybrid Remote Work: These roles are partially remote, either requiring some travel or some time in the company’s office. Hybrid remote workers may spend a majority of workdays in the office with occasional work-from-home days, spend the majority of their time working from home with occasional in-office days, or split their time evenly between in-office and remote work from home.
- Option for Remote Work: These jobs give workers the option to either work from home or go into the office — or both. Variations may exist between employers, but ultimately, optional remote jobs provide the choice of working remotely some or all of the time.
What Types of Jobs Can Be Done Remotely?
Remote jobs cover a wide range of opportunities, from part-time gigs to full-time employment or freelance work. Whether you want flexibility or a structured schedule, there are remote positions for different preferences.
In the following, we’ve outlined types of remote jobs, how they vary in structure, and what to expect in terms of schedules and employment terms.
6 Common Types of Remote Jobs
Curious about the difference between remote jobs with flexible schedules versus alternative schedules, or trying to decide between freelance and temporary remote work? Understanding the various types of remote jobs is key to finding the right fit for you.
Here are six common types of remote jobs and how they differ:
- Alternative Schedule Remote Jobs: These positions operate outside the traditional 9-to-5 schedule and are ideal for those who prefer or require non-standard hours. Alternative schedule remote jobs can include jobs that entail morning, evening, weekend, or overnight shifts.
- Flexible Schedule Remote Jobs: Workers in these roles can set their own hours, as long as they meet their deadlines or complete their required tasks. These flexible jobs offer autonomy and adaptability for those needing flexibility in their workday.
- Freelance Remote Jobs: Freelancers work as independent contractors, taking on projects for one or multiple clients. These roles allow for high flexibility but typically do not come with the benefits of full-time employment.
- Full-Time Remote Jobs: These positions require a standard full-time commitment, typically 40 hours per week, and often come with benefits. Full-time remote jobs may be performed entirely remotely — fully remote work — or may be full-time jobs with 100% remote, hybrid remote, or optional remote work options.
- Part-Time Remote Jobs: These roles involve fewer hours, usually under 30 per week, and are perfect for those looking to balance work with other responsibilities or part-time income.
- Temporary Remote Jobs: Temporary remote jobs, which include seasonal jobs, have a defined end date and are often tied to specific projects or busy periods (e.g., tax season or holidays). They are ideal for workers looking for short-term commitments.
Where Can You Work Remotely?
Where you can work remotely depends on the specific job. Location requirements for remote roles often stem from employers’ legal, tax, or licensing considerations.
Furthermore, employers sometimes need workers available for on-site training, meetings, or client proximity.
Remote jobs typically fall into four categories:
- U.S. National Jobs: These jobs allow you to reside in and work from anywhere in the U.S.
- International, Country-Specific Jobs: These jobs require you to reside in and work from a specific country outside of the U.S.
- City or State-Based Jobs: These jobs require you to reside in and work from a specific city or state within the U.S.
- Work-From-Anywhere Jobs: These jobs allow you to reside in and work from any location in the world.
It’s important to note that fully remote “work-from-anywhere” roles are very rare.
According to FlexJobs data, around 95% of remote work requires workers to be based in a specific location, with only about 5% of remote jobs truly offering the freedom to work from anywhere.
Top Remote Career Categories
Opportunities to work remotely can be found in a wide range of industries. While FlexJobs features remote jobs in over 50 career categories, some of the top, fastest-growing fields to find remote work include:
- Accounting & Finance Jobs
- Computer & IT Jobs
- Customer Service Jobs
- Data Entry Jobs
- Education & Training Jobs
- Marketing Jobs
- Medical & Health Jobs
- Sales Jobs
- Translation Jobs
- Writing Jobs
This list is just a sampling, but it highlights areas where you can find some of the most promising remote job opportunities. For a deeper look into the best industries for remote work and other developments in the field, check out “Remote Work Statistics & Trends: The Latest in Remote Work.”