Working remotely abroad: discover the pros and cons of this model

By now, it is clear that working from home and remotely working for international companies is the new normal. As a result, the number of organizations seeking professionals from other countries is increasing, and companies from the technology sector are becoming increasingly familiar with the work-from-home culture.  

For tech talents, this means a reality where the workplace is more connected than ever. There are no more physical barriers, and the possibilities of a dream career move are now easier to find. Moreover, finding these openings through a talent network or even in an autonomous search is simple, and in some cases, it only takes a few clicks. 

But you probably already know this. So now it's time to understand the pros and cons of joining the "international remote work" format. Here's what you need to consider before deciding if this will be a good step in your career.

Working remotely abroad can be beneficial for your professional and personal life

How working remotely abroad can be good 

For many software engineers, working at US remote jobs, for example, can be a huge advance in their careers. It has many benefits, like a better salary or the possibility of discovering new cultures. Let's explore some of these advantages in detail.

Flexibility

To many people, the number one benefit is flexibility.

When you work remotely for international companies, you can work from anywhere. It could be your house, a park, a beach, or any other place that you find convenient can be your office. 

The flexibility also means you will not be bound to a 9 to 5 routine. The working hours can be flexible, as there's usually a global team involved in the projects. These different schedules allow you to take your pet to the vet in the middle of the day, for example. Or better define at what times you feel most comfortable and productive working.

Work-life balance

With flexibility comes the work-life balance. 

Working remotely abroad opens the door to choosing the best for you. Your time with family, friends, and pets will most likely increase. Also, you can dress how you want or watch a TV show during lunch break, for instance. In general, having this balance is essential for your health and well-being, both in your personal and professional life. 

English practice

Improving your English is an excellent benefit of working remotely for international companies, especially at remote US jobs. 

Be prepared to talk in English all day. The environment will force you to practice, and even if this looks scary at first, you'll be able to improve it and feel more confident about it over time.

Higher productivity

Research from Robert Walters called "The Future of Work after COVID-19" found that 47% of professionals are more productive at home. That can be related to the comfort of choosing a better routine or a better work-life balance. Moreover, that also means there is a good chance these professionals are happy with their work and how they do it.

Working remotely for international companies allows you to create a better routine and work-life balance

Better salary

Remote work allows talent to apply to positions in countries with higher base salaries. In most cases, another huge benefit is the exchange rate of their currencies to the dollar and euro. So working remotely for companies in the US or Europe is a massive improvement in talent earnings overall. There is also no spending on transport, and you can live in a city with a much cheaper cost of living. So those aspects make the salary even stronger.

Knowing different cultures

Working remotely abroad will open your eyes to different cultures.

Your team will be global. You will know many people from different countries, and work together with them for a common goal.

Having people with different backgrounds on the team shows that the company values diversity. And diversity creates a good work atmosphere where everyone is heard.

Diverse teams also tend to have more innovative ideas. So get ready for a fast pace.

Working remotely abroad has some disadvantages 

Like all in life, remote work for international companies is not all roses. Know some disadvantages you need to be mindful of before deciding if you want to find a new job aboard.

A higher number of meetings

If you're tired of zoom meetings, this is not good news.

Due to the lack of physical presence, you will likely have more meetings. This will require you to have good communication skills and always be precise in what you say.

To keep this problem manageable, most companies bet on asynchronous communication, which is done at different times of the day.

Isolation 

Working remotely abroad can be difficult if you like physical contact with people.

Your coexistence with people outside your home can indeed decrease. And if you live alone, you can feel even more isolated.

However, if you want to work remotely for international companies, you can create strategies to prevent this. For example, have a specific time to leave the house, do physical activities, or go to a coworking space. These are just a few options that can help you escape isolation.

Working remotely abroad can make you feel isolated, but it is possible to fight this feeling

Distractions at home

A family member wanting to talk, the TV on, or your kitten is trying to climb on your lap: the house inevitably brings some distractions.

If you are a person who struggles with distractions, working remotely abroad will be a challenge. But don't worry; building strategies to resist them is also possible.

Making it clear to your family when you need quiet time or working in times when there are fewer distractions can be an option.

The important thing is not to miss out on good opportunities for your career because of this.

Are you excited to work remotely abroad?

What you can expect from this experience:

• Great learnings;

• Many challenges;

• Companies with cultures that value diversity;

• Fast-paced environments;

• Engaging projects.

Olby helps your international job-searching journey!

The road is not always short, but your first international software engineering job could be just around the corner. If you want to learn more about the possibilities of working remotely abroad, sign up at Olby. We shorten the path between you and your first international remote job so that you can save time in several selection processes. Apply to our network and get matched with your dream opportunity.