These days, flexible working arrangements mean that many more people work from home. In fact, according to the ONS Labour Force Survey, which is the largest study of employment circumstances in the UK, more than 1.54 million people work from home for their main job. That’s up from 884,000 ten years ago. However, in recent weeks, the number of homeworkers has soared, as the coronavirus has forced millions of office workers into the safety of their homes. 

With that in mind, we thought we’d provide some top tips for those who are new to working from home to help you avoid burnout.

1. Make a routine and stick to it

Newbie homeworkers might imagine days spent on the sofa in their pyjamas, but for most, the reality of working from home is very different. Even though you’ll have a lot of newfound freedom, most experienced homeworkers shun that freedom in favour of a strict routine, which starts with getting dressed in the morning.

Most successful homeworkers also keep very strict hours. This prevents work from creeping into other areas of their lives and gives them time to exercise, socialise and relax, all of which are extremely important when you spend a large part of the day at home. 

2. Take plenty of short breaks throughout the day

Studies have shown that the formula for peak productivity is to work for 52 minutes followed by a 17-minute break. You don’t have to follow that rule precisely, but when working from home, taking regular breaks is crucial to your productivity. 

In the workplace, you have impromptu breaks all the time, whether it’s a chat around the water cooler, strolls to other departments or trips to see clients. Those organic opportunities to take five minutes tend to occur less frequently when working from home, which is why you should make sure you get away from the computer to recharge. Breaking the day up into smaller, more manageable chunks will help to keep you fresh and improve your productivity. 

3. Create boundaries

Once you have created your routine, make sure your boss, clients, customers and colleagues know when you are available. Just because you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean that you have to answer calls and emails at all hours, unless it’s a condition of your employment. Labour laws in France and Sweden prevent employees from answering emails outside of working hours. These rules have improved the work-life balance of employees and made them more productive.

4. Get out more

According to the 2018 State of Remote Work Report, loneliness is the biggest struggle for people who work remotely. Human contact can provide a morale boost during difficult periods and deliver significant mental health benefits. When you’ve been working from home all day, it’s important to make extra effort to spend time with others. In the coronavirus crisis, going out for a walk or heading out for the evening may not be possible, but even having a conversation on the phone can reduce the risk of burnout from a lack of human interaction.  

Searching for something new?

The coronavirus lockdown could give you the time you need to search for a new bilingual position. Take a look at our current bilingual vacancies and submit your CV today.

Preparing for the workplace starts long before you begin your search for your first full-time job. There are lots of different things that students can do now to give themselves a head start over other school, college and university leavers and put themselves at the front of the queue in the increasingly competitive jobs market.

So, just what steps can you take to give your career the best possible start? Here’s our guide.

1. Study another language

As a specialist bilingual recruiter, you might think we’re biased, but never has the ability to speak a second language been more valuable than it is today. With Brexit now firmly underway and the UK free to form trade deals with more countries outside the EU, being able to speak a second or even third language will certainly help you stand out.

China is the world’s second-largest economy, making Mandarin a language that’s in high demand among businesses in much of the western world. With the economies of South and Central American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica and Panama expected to skyrocket in the next few years, Spanish would be an extremely useful language to learn, too.

2. Find your voice

Over the last decade or so, communication has changed immeasurably. For Generation Z, communication that’s dominated by social media and smartphones is all they’ve ever known, to such an extent that traditional skills such as public speaking are increasingly difficult to find.

Although public speaking is something not everyone is comfortable with initially, it will feel more natural over time. Putting yourself forward to speak in front of groups whenever you have the opportunity is a great way to develop this skill and help you impress potential employers. It will also improve your ability to think clearly under pressure and communicate your ideas and opinions in a well-reasoned and clear way. Those are also skills that are useful during those nerve-wracking job interviews.

3. Gain experience of the world of work

The more experience you have of the workplace and the skills required to perform a role, the better. Vocational courses are excellent at preparing students for the challenges they’ll encounter when they enter the workplace, while more academic qualifications tend to focus very little on what working life will be like.

Work placements are a great way to gain first-hand experience of what a particular role will involve. They can also help you identify a career or path that you hadn’t previously considered. Schools, colleges and universities should all be able to help you arrange a work placement, but you can also speak to family members, friends and even reach out to businesses online that you’re interested in working for. As well as gaining experience in the workplace, the contacts you make during this time could prove to be invaluable later on.

4. Volunteer

As a recent school, college or university leaver, your CV is likely to be full of qualifications but lacking in experience. Volunteering is a great way to gain some real-world experience while also doing some good. Even if you’re unable to volunteer in the specific field you want to work in, having experience as a volunteer will show that you know how to manage your time, work alongside others, complete tasks and commit to something, even when there’s no monetary reward.

Here’s a handy resource you can use to find out more about internships, work experience, volunteering roles, work shadowing placements and more.

Searching for your first bilingual role?

Get in touch with the team at Linguistica Recruitment today. We can help you find well-paid and rewarding bilingual jobs across the south coast of England. Take a look at our current vacancies, submit your CV, call our team on 02392 987 765 or email info@linguistica-recruitment.com.