Why Can’t I Move to (favorite city), and Work Remotely?

It’s hard to understand why it couldn’t work. The initial client data comes to you attached to an e-mail. You draft a list of follow-up questions that you send … in an e-mail. You interview the client over the phone. Every once in awhile you have to get on a plane for a site visit. But, that only means having to be near an airport.

You do your research, modeling and writing on the computer. When it’s time for review, you send the draft report to the boss via computer. Some weeks you might not even see the boss. Why wouldn’t a new employer just let you move where you want – instead of to their city – and let you continue doing your work the way you have been?

• Remote employees are rare. Period. There are very few practices that have their employees work remotely. It’s true that there are a number of professionals who work remotely. They are paid as sub-contractors, and are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, etc. They can’t necessarily count on a steady stream of work (translation: income), and they shouldn’t be confused with employees.
• You will quickly hit a career ceiling. You work in the consulting services industry. The only way to advance your career and your paycheck is to transform yourself from a doer to a seller/doer. If you are not in the same market as your employer, and flexing your business development muscle, you will always be a doer. Sooner or later, your value will top out. And so will your compensation.
• Your new employer doesn’t know you. At your current job, you’ve been tootling along, refining your capabilities and becoming more and more productive. But, your new employer sees none of that. He may have a glimpse of where you are now, but he has no idea where you’ve come from. As far as he’s concerned, you’re an unknown quantity. Even though he might actually be prepared to entertain the idea of a remote employee, he’s going to want to watch your work up close for at least a year or two before he can feel comfortable making that move. If you really want to work as a remote employee, your best bet is to make that pitch to your current employer.

There are a lot of myths and misperceptions that BV professionals have about career options. Contact us for the straight scoop so you’re making informed choices about your career.