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CAREERS

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f you are in the middle of a job search, you proba- bly see the term hybrid for positions everywhere. You might even see it in the search options on job board sites when you narrow down thousands of results.

But what exactly is a hybrid role?

A hybrid role is a mix of working at your jobs location and remotely. It may consist of working from home a few days a week and going to the job site the other days. There are many schedules and situations possible with hybrid work, so its essential to under- stand the details. Youll need to decide if the job type is right for your lifestyle, ask the right questions of a possible employer and look for hybrid positions in reputable places.

Is hybrid right for you?

Working a few days from home each week can sound ideal. However, does this match with your home life? It is imperative to ensure you have a com- fortable and quiet place to work from home, uninter- rupted. Make sure you have an atmosphere where you can concentrate on your work and be productive. Also, consider your personality. Are you the type of person who needs a great deal of in-person inter- action daily? If so, being at home and isolated from co-workers a few days a week may have a negative effect on your mental health. Think about the few days a week you will need to

Exploring Hybrid Careers

report to work. Are these days worrisome for you due to a long commute? Are you easily distracted work- ing in a busy office setting? It's a good idea to think clearly about your own needs. Take time to think about your employment and personal needs. You may find you need a fully remote job and not a hybrid. You may even find you need to be on location daily to be most productive.

Questions to ask employers

Remember that each company has a different defi- nition of a hybrid job. If you ask questions before- hand, you may find that the job is not a good fit from the beginning and save time. Here are a few possible questions to consider asking the contact person if the answers are not included in the job description: ! Is the hybrid option permanent or temporary? ! How many days per week would I be required to work on location? ! How much notice would I receive if I were required to come to the office on a scheduled remote day? ! What would the internet and home office requirements be for remote work? ! Would my work hours be the same if I were on location?

Job boards with hybrid job choices

Be careful when you search for hybrid jobs online. Since it's a very popular choice, you may find web- sites that claim verified hybrid job listings that are part of or lead to a scam. Here are some reputable job boards that include hybrid and fully remote job options. ! abilityJOBS : Job site for people with disabilities with many hybrid and fully remote options. ! CareerOneStop.org : Job search board, career exploration and training with many work from home and hybrid jobs. ! LinkedIn Jobs : Job site with many hybrid options and the ability to see if your LinkedIn connections work at the company youre interested in. ! USAJobs.gov : Resource to find federal positions in various industries, with remote and hybrid search options. NOTE: Some helpful keywords to find remote and hybrid positions on job boards include hybrid, par- tially remote, remote, blended, telework and work from home. A hybrid position could be a good option to explore in your job search, especially since more and more companies offer some form of hybrid work. A hybrid role could help you achieve and maintain a work-life balance. Research the company and ask any questions to ensure the position fits your needs.

Source: Ticket to Work