Right now, employees and employers are in a game of tug of war. Employees really don’t want to go back to the office, while employers really do. 

And honestly, employers have good reasons for it. They are losing money on fancy office leases, suffering from a lack of engagement and lackluster remote culture, and missing out on potential innovation and collaboration opportunities that onsite environments encourage. 

So, what are candidates in this job market to do? 

The good news is that most employers aren’t jumping into in-person work headfirst; they’re taking more of a hybrid approach. And the benefits of opening yourself up to in-office work are definitely worth considering. I’ll walk you through a few of them below. 

5 Major Benefits of In-Person Work 

1. A Sense of Belonging and Culture 

I consistently hear from my HR business partners that the number one thing they’re struggling with is establishing a strong remote culture. Culture has direct links to employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. And many people have found the online world an isolating, culture-less place. 

Working at an office helps people showcase their commitment to culture. It helps them form bonds with their coworkers, recognize their coworkers, and participate in company activities — all of which lead to happier, more productive employees. In-person work also creates a solid distinction between work time and leisure time, helping employees achieve more work-life balance. 

2. Stronger Workplace Relationships 

The truth is we trust the people we know. And while we can build rapport with our coworkers virtually, getting to a place of trust takes more time and effort when it’s done online. 

Coming onsite helps you form deeper relationships with everyone at your company — not just the people on your team. Instead of being siloed in your corner of the internet, you’re forced to mingle and engage in organic conversation. Building that trust makes interdepartmental projects move more quickly and eliminates some of the common blockers that come up in remote work. 

3. Better Onboarding, Training, and Collaboration 

Oftentimes, in-person education leads to better knowledge retention and application to real-life scenarios. That’s because while in person, employees and instructors can get more hands-on and ask application of concepts people have learned. Another bonus of in-person onboarding and training is increased collaboration — you may interact with employees you would’ve never met otherwise, who can give you a fresh perspective. 

4. It’s Easier To Get Your Foot in the Door 

Because so many employees prefer working from home, you can bet remote roles have hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of applicants within an hour of posting. And because there’s so much competition, employers can be picky in their hiring. If your qualifications don’t match exactly what an employer is looking for, you’ll be out of the running. 

Even if you score an interview, you might have a difficult time with negotiations down the road. Compensation leveling for remote roles is challenging — the cost of living can vary widely from state to state. 

On the flip side, there’s significantly less activity for hybrid or onsite roles, so employers at these companies are willing to be more flexible. They’re open to chatting with candidates who meet most, not necessarily all, of their requirements. And compensation is guaranteed to be directly scaled to the market. 

5. Unique Perks 

This last section may not be as impactful as the ones above, but perks make a difference! I’ve seen companies hire baristas, cater free lunches, host happy hours on their beautiful rooftops, and give their employees access to a gym in the building. Employers are actively trying to make in-person work fun and exciting, so they will likely mention a few of these kinds of perks if you take them up on an interview. 

Prepare Yourself for In-Person Work 

Even after I review all of these benefits, I’m met with resistance from some candidates. And that’s totally understandable.  

But if you’re adamant about remote work, just know that you may not get the bites on your resume you want, and you might pass up some fantastic opportunities. I encourage you to ask yourself what you cherish most about remote work and try to see if you can replicate it with a hybrid work environment. 

For example, if you’re looking for flexibility for childcare, why not bring that up on your phone screen? You never know what employers might be willing to offer. They know there are ways to balance working productively at home and in an office and are likely happy to work out a compromise. 

So give in-person work a shot — it may change your life for the better. Want help finding a new role? Reach out to the experts at Planet Professional, who are engaged with some of the top companies in Accounting, Finance, HR, and more. 

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