“The great remote companies are the ones that have invested not only in just sending people home with a laptop but also in all of the other things that make work important and make it successful, like providing the right technology and equipment and creating a culture that supports remote work.”
Kevin Rizer, CEO of Emmy’s Best Pet Products and LFG Product Solutions
The concept of working remotely has been around for decades, primarily driven by technological advancements and the need for flexible work arrangements. However, the Covid-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented shift in the remote work culture. With the global health crisis necessitating social distancing measures, organizations were forced to embrace remote work on a massive scale. Companies quickly adapted to remote work, leveraging technology to ensure business continuity and the well-being of their employees.
As the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, companies are now facing the challenge of determining the future of remote work. Some organizations opt for a hybrid model, allowing employees to work remotely and in the office, while others are gradually transitioning back to the traditional office setup. The recent return-to-office policies are driven by collaboration, face-to-face interactions, and the desire to establish a sense of community among employees. However, remote work has undeniably left an indelible mark on the corporate landscape, with many companies recognizing its potential and incorporating it as a permanent or flexible option for their workforce.
However, not all remote jobs are the same. “To me, it’s the intentionality behind it. So many companies were forced to send their workers home with laptops or allow them to work remotely during the pandemic, but they didn’t consider how to do so effectively. The great remote companies are the ones that have invested not only in just sending people home with a laptop but also in all of the other things that make work important and make it successful, like providing the right technology and equipment and creating a culture that supports remote work,” says Kevin Rizer, CEO of Emmy’s Best Pet Products and LFG Product Solutions, and an authority on remote work.
With the growing demand for remote work opportunities, numerous companies now offer fully remote or hybrid roles. Keep reading to learn from Rizer about what to look for in a remote employer, where to find remote work, and a list of top companies offering remote employment.
Kevin Rizer, CEO of Emmy’s Best Pet Products and LFG Product Solutions, is an authority on remote work. He is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author whose content has reached millions of people worldwide. In 2015, Rizer founded and hosted the popular “Private Label Movement” podcast, interviewing some of the biggest names and brightest minds in the e-commerce world. He has appeared on stages worldwide, sharing e-commerce topics with audiences and finding passion and purpose in his work.
Rizer is best known for openly sharing the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. His down-to-earth, relatable personality has won over fans among thought leaders and audiences alike. Having worked from home for more than a decade, Rizer is passionate about helping others discover the art of working remotely and be happier in the process.
When considering a job opportunity, it’s important to remember that the interview process is not solely about the employer evaluating your fit for the role. It’s equally crucial for you to assess the company and determine if it aligns with your priorities and preferences, particularly if remote work is a priority for you.
Just as the employer assesses your skills and qualifications, take the opportunity to ask questions and gather information that will help you make an informed decision. By approaching the interview process as a two-way conversation, you can ensure that remote work is not just a possibility but a fulfilling and sustainable arrangement for your professional journey.
For Rizer, this means three things: “First, get clear on what their expectations are for where you will work. Nothing’s as frustrating as a CEO who says, ‘Go back to the office,’ when you have been promised remote work,” he says. “The second thing to look for is to make sure that they provide you with the tools that you need to be successful—the computer, a proper chair, and a desk. The third step is to carefully examine the company’s remote work culture. In some companies, leaders and managers are more adept at managing a remote workforce than others. It can come down to technology and management style, but ultimately, it usually comes from the top.”
He continues, “Ask questions so you can be really clear about what their policies are. So if it’s a hybrid role, don’t be afraid to ask, ‘How many days a week will you be expected to be in the office? Can you choose which days those are? Can they differ from week to week or month to month?’ Also, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Ask for a desk if you don’t have one or request an internet connection that’s fast enough that you can get your work done.”
However, knowing what you want is a key part of this process. “It’s critical to determine what it is you’re looking for. I have talked with so many people that they say they want remote work, but they end up working for a company that’s hybrid, and a year later, they’re in the office full-time,” notes Rizer. “When you’re looking for a job ask yourself if you are you are open to hybrid work. If so, are you open to that changing and being in the office 100 percent of the time? Or are you only looking for remote work?”
Lastly, in Rizer’s experience, some companies offering remote work will treat it like a perk and reduce other benefits to compensate: “Just because they offer you the ability to work remotely, ensure you’re not giving up anything else in terms of benefits. Often, this could be salary-based. There are a lot of companies now tying salary ranges to where you live, meaning if you live in a low-cost-of-living area, they will pay you less,” he explains. “Some companies will also limit upward mobility and opportunities for promotions for remote employees. So those are good things to ask about during the interview process.”
When it comes to finding remote work, some of the same job search strategies apply but with a few additional considerations. First, utilize online networks and social media platforms to connect with companies and individuals who offer remote work opportunities. LinkedIn is a particularly useful platform for this purpose.
Another option is to seek job boards specializing in remote roles, such as FlexJobs or Remote.co. These platforms have been specifically designed to cater to the growing demand for remote work and often have a wide range of opportunities available across various industries.
Rizer has another suggestion. “It’s not applicable for every type of career, but I highly encourage people to work with a professional recruiter or head hunter. If you can connect with someone who really knows your industry, they know who’s hiring, and they typically know the good, the bad, and the ugly about each of them,” he recommends. “They’re almost always paid by the company hiring you, so there’s no cost to you. Their compensation is tied to not just the hire being made, but you stay for a certain period of time, so there’s a real incentive for them to create a good win-win scenario.”
As remote work continues to grow in popularity, more and more companies are adapting to this new way of working. Here is a list of top companies that have embraced remote work, as well as some of the perks they offer:
HubSpot, a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform, offers a robust remote work culture. They prioritize work-life balance, provide comprehensive benefits packages, and actively promote diversity and inclusion in their workforce. They also offer unlimited vacation time, and after five years with HubSpot, you will receive a four-week paid sabbatical.
As a pioneer in video conferencing and remote collaboration, Zoom enables remote work and embraces it within their own company culture. They offer competitive salaries, excellent healthcare benefits, and numerous opportunities for career growth. Other perks include free access to Certified Financial Planners for budgeting and financial education, a robust mental health benefit, free access to virtual physical therapy and ergonomic assessments, and post-parental leave career coaching.
Salesforce, a renowned cloud-based software company, is widely recognized for its commitment to employee well-being and remote work options. It provides extensive work-from-home opportunities, prioritizes employee wellness, and strongly focuses on corporate social responsibility.
Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and other popular web publishing platforms, is known for its fully remote workforce. They offer a range of benefits, including flexible schedules, paid parental leave, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. They also provides monthly stipends for co-working spaces or home office needs and actively supports open-source projects.
Airbnb, a leading vacation rental platform, has embraced remote work as part of its company culture. They offer extensive work-from-home opportunities, prioritize diversity and inclusion, and strongly focus on employee well-being. A unique part of AirBnB’s remote work policy is the ability to work from anywhere for up to 90 days out of the year, allowing employees to travel overseas without taking vacation time.
As a leading cybersecurity firm, it is deeply committed to remote work and actively hires for a wide range of remote positions across multiple departments. It provides competitive salaries and robust benefits packages and fosters a collaborative, inclusive company culture. It also offers opportunities for career growth and development through internal training and mentorship programs.
A leading provider of tax automation software, TaxJar company operates with a fully remote workforce and offers flexible schedules alongside a robust benefits package. Committed to employee well-being, they strongly emphasize fostering diversity, inclusion, and a supportive workplace culture. Additional perks include home office stipends, a wellness allowance for gym memberships or fitness equipment, and personal and professional growth opportunities.
InVision specializes in providing design collaboration tools. With its innovative software solutions, it enables design teams to collaborate seamlessly, streamline their workflows, and bring their creative visions to life. InVision offers extensive opportunities for remote work, allowing individuals to work from the comfort of their own spaces while enjoying the benefits of a supportive and inclusive company culture.
Embracing a digital-first model, Shopify prioritizes environmental impact and offers wellness allowances alongside remote work flexibility. They provide competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages, including wellness benefits for mental and physical health. Other benefits include a lifestyle spending account for employees to use at their discretion, flexible vacation time, and paid parental leave.
Buffer, a popular social media management platform, boasts a distributed team across multiple continents. It offers extensive remote work opportunities, including flexible schedules and unlimited vacation time. Buffer is committed to employee wellness, offering mental health benefits and coaching sessions with certified coaches. It has an open culture where employees are encouraged to share their ideas and feedback freely. All employees at Buffer have only a four-day workweek.
Unilever, a global consumer goods company, strongly focuses on employee well-being and work-life balance. They offer flexible work arrangements, including extensive remote work options, and prioritize diversity and inclusion within their company culture. Unilever also encourages employees to give back through volunteer opportunities and offers personal growth and development resources. They also offer outstanding fertility benefits as well as family support programs.