This post comes from partner site FlexJobs.
Welcome to our “Work From Home Q&A” series. You ask a question about remote work, and a guest expert answers it. You can learn how to ask a question of your own below.
This week’s question comes from Latoya:
“I’m starting to work from home soon and wanted to make sure I had the right workstation and internet service set up. Any recommendations?”
Setting up a home workstation
Great question! First and foremost, check with your new employer to see if they have any particular requirements.
Some will want you to have a dedicated workspace with a door, but others don’t mind if you work from the kitchen table as long as you can focus. Some specify minimum upload and download speeds for internet, and others simply ask for high-speed internet.
To check your upload and download speeds for your own knowledge, a site like Speedtest by Ookla is helpful. Check a few different times throughout the day, as speeds can vary depending on how many users are online in your home and in your neighborhood.
Seasoned remote workers also say the following items are important for a comfortable and functional home office:
- A newer laptop or desktop computer with a good amount of processing speed
- A full keyboard and mouse — wireless is often preferred — for comfort
- A laptop stand or second monitor to bring your view up to a healthy height and help support your posture (if you’re using a laptop)
- A comfortable home office chair
And you might want to inquire about any financial support the company offers for setting up your home office. Some provide a “technology stipend” or a “home office stipend” to help with the cost of new equipment and tools.
About me
I am a career development manager and coach at FlexJobs, where I help people find flexible work, including remote, part-time and freelance jobs. Before joining FlexJobs in 2010, I was a career adviser for college students and alumni. I have a master of science in human resources management and am a certified advanced resume writer.
Got a question you’d like answered?
You can submit a question for the “Work From Home Q&A” series for free. Just hit “reply” to the Money Talks News newsletter and email your question. (If you don’t already receive the newsletter, you can sign up for free, too: Click here, and the sign-up box will pop up.)
You also can find all past answers from this series on the “Work From Home Q&A” webpage.
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