What’s the Value of Accepting In-Person vs. Work from Home Jobs?

Exploring the Case for In-Person Positions Back at the Office

Collaboration

Have you ever run into a colleague at the coffee pot sparking an innovative or productive conversation? Working in person can foster better collaboration and communication among team members, leading to improved productivity and more innovative ideas.

When comparing in-person vs. work from home options, in person collaboration is important because:

• Nonverbal Communication: 55% of all communication is non-verbal. Nuanced communication through body language, tone of voice, facial expressions can help avoid misunderstandings and build strong relationships among team members. 
• Instant Feedback: it is easier to give and receive instant feedback when working in person. This can improve the quality and efficiency of work.  
• Better Brainstorming: Face to face interactions enhance brainstorming sessions. Team members can bounce ideas off each other and build on each other’s contributions in real time.  
• Team Building: In-person collaboration can foster a sense of solidarity, friendship, and trust among team members. This leads to better teamwork and more cohesive outcomes. 
• Reduced Distractions: Online collaboration can be convenient, but it can also lead to more distractions. With an increasing number of people working remotely, there are even more distractions to handle. Children, family members, barking dogs, and social media are all hard to ignore. Working in person can help reduce these distractions. 

It is worth noting that online collaboration can also have its own advantages, such as increased workplace flexibility and accessibility. The best approach depends on the business’ specific needs and the team’s preferences.

Networking

Being in the same physical space as colleagues and industry professionals can help build valuable connections and expand your professional network. Professional networking is one of the single greatest opportunities for developing and advancing one’s career.

• Building Stronger Connections: allows you to meet people face-to face, which can help you build stronger relationships. Meeting someone in person allows you to read their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. These social queues can help you better understand them and build a stronger connection.
• Establishing Trust: Meeting someone in person can help establish trust more quickly than communicating online or through other means. When you meet someone in person, you can demonstrate your personality and character to help build trust quickly.
• Expanding Your Network: In-person networking events give you the opportunity to meet people from a variety of industries and backgrounds. This can help you expand your network and create new business opportunities.
• Learning Opportunities: Attending in-person networking events provides an opportunity to grow your professional network. Learning about industry trends, best practices, and other insights in-person with others helps you enhance your business and career.
• Opportunities for Collaboration: Face-to-face meetings are the most effective way for teams to interact than any other communication channel. It reduces any misconstrued messages by allowing for body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal communication. Meeting people in person can lead to opportunities for collaboration on projects or other initiatives.

LinkedIn and other social media sites imitate in person networking. It can never be the same. In-person networking provides numerous benefits that cannot be replicated through other means. Digital networking cannot build relationships and expand a professional network the same way.  

Professional Development

The in-person work model allows for additional on-the-job training and mentorship opportunities. These opportunities can help you develop new skills and advance your career. Professional development enriches one’s professional career with knowledge and practical experiences.

• Career Advancement: Professional development can help you acquire new skills, knowledge, and expertise that can help you advance in your career. By learning new skills, you can become more valuable to your organization and increase your chances of being promoted.
• Increased Job Satisfaction: When you engage in professional development, you are investing in yourself and your career. This investment can lead to greater job satisfaction, as you are more likely to feel fulfilled and challenged in your work.
• Keeping Up with Industry Trends: Professional development helps you stay current with the latest trends and best practices in your industry. Continuous learning of industry trends has shown the potential to increase your relevance and competitiveness in the job market.
• Networking Opportunities: Many professional development opportunities provide the chance to meet and network with other professionals in your industry. This can help you expand your network, build new relationships, and potentially open doors to new opportunities.
• Personal Growth: Professional development can also help you grow as a person. It can help you develop new perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and increase your self-awareness.

Overall, professional development is a key component of career growth and success. It has the potential to expand employee skill sets, generate innovative ideas and perspectives, boost morale and raise overall employee performance.

Work-life Balance

In-person vs. work from home work-life balance has been at the heart of discussions. Remote workers cite better work-life balance as the top reason they work remotely. However, remote work has blurred the line between work and home, making it harder to disconnect from work. Working in person can help establish clearer boundaries and allow for better work-life balance.

• Physical Health: Chronic stress and overwork can lead to physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease, digestive issues, and insomnia. By disconnecting from work and having a good work-life balance, you can reduce stress and improve your overall health.
• Mental Health: Overworking and being constantly connected to work can also have negative impacts on your mental health. It can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Disconnecting from work and having a good work-life balance can help you maintain your mental health and well-being.
• Relationships: Spending time with friends and family, engaging in hobbies, or other interests can help you build and maintain strong relationships. This can lead to a more fulfilling personal life, which can positively impact your overall well-being.
• Creativity: Engaging in activities outside of work can also help you tap into your creativity. Exploring new interests and hobbies can help you see things from a unique perspective and produce fresh ideas and solutions.

Disconnecting from work and having a good work-life balance is important for both physical and mental health. It also benefits productivity, relationships, and creativity. Balance means making sure we have time to do the things that make us feel happy and fulfilled. This can improve overall well-being and lead a more fulfilling life. 

The Conclusion

While technology and remote work are becoming increasingly prevalent, in-person interactions remain an essential part of the future of work. The future of work is not strictly virtual, but rather it offers flexibility to accommodate a variety of work styles.

Professional organizations like Global Data Consultants, LLC (GDC) have a robust talent pool. GDC Talent Acquisition Specialists evaluate candidates from this network as a screening process for jobs. Joining talent networks and consistently updating your information is important even if you are not currently job hunting.