Fact Check: Are wfh jobs hard to get?

Are WFH Jobs Hard to Get?

The claim in question revolves around the accessibility of work-from-home (WFH) jobs, specifically asking whether they are difficult to secure. This inquiry is particularly relevant in light of the significant shifts in employment practices following the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a dramatic increase in remote work opportunities.

What We Know

Increase in Remote Work: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there has been a notable rise in the percentage of workers primarily working from home since the pandemic began. As of late 2024, fully remote jobs have increased from 10% in early 2023 to 15% by the end of that year 2 6.
Job Market Dynamics: A report from Virtual Vocations indicates that over four-fifths of U.S. workers were planning to seek new employment in 2023, which may suggest a competitive job market for remote positions 7. However, this same report highlights that many companies are actively hiring for remote roles, with a list of 100 companies identified as significant employers of remote workers 10.
Current Job Listings: Multiple sources, including FlexJobs and CNBC, have compiled lists of companies hiring for remote positions. For instance, FlexJobs identified 15 companies that were particularly active in hiring remote workers as of October 2023 4 5.
Worker Preferences: A survey cited by the U.S. Career Institute found that a significant percentage of remote workers (36% of fully remote and 44% of hybrid workers) were planning to move in 2023, indicating a desire for flexibility in their work arrangements 1.
Industry Variability: The demand for remote jobs varies by industry. The top industries for remote work include information technology, healthcare, and insurance, which are represented among the top 100 companies hiring for remote roles 10.

Analysis

The claim that WFH jobs are hard to get can be examined through various lenses, including market demand, competition, and industry trends.

Market Demand: The increase in remote job postings suggests a growing acceptance of remote work among employers. However, the simultaneous high interest from job seekers could create a competitive environment, potentially making it harder for individuals to secure these positions. The BLS data indicates a trend toward more remote work, but it does not quantify the number of applicants per job, which is crucial for assessing difficulty in securing such roles.
Source Reliability: The sources used in this analysis vary in terms of reliability. The BLS is a government agency known for its rigorous data collection and analysis, making it a highly credible source 2 3. In contrast, reports from FlexJobs and Virtual Vocations, while useful, may carry some bias as they are organizations that promote remote work and may emphasize positive trends to support their business models 4 7 10.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: Sources like FlexJobs and Virtual Vocations may have an inherent bias in portraying the remote job market favorably, as their business models depend on promoting remote work opportunities. This could influence the way they present data and trends.
Methodological Concerns: Many reports rely on surveys and self-reported data, which can introduce bias. For instance, the survey conducted by the U.S. Career Institute may not represent the entire workforce accurately, as it could be skewed towards individuals already engaged in remote work 1.
Additional Information Needed: To fully assess the claim, further data would be beneficial, such as the number of applicants per remote job posting, success rates of job seekers, and longitudinal studies tracking job placement over time in remote roles.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that WFH jobs are hard to get is partially true. Evidence indicates that while there has been a significant increase in remote job opportunities, the competitive nature of the job market, with many workers seeking these roles, suggests that securing a WFH position may indeed be challenging for some individuals.

However, the landscape is nuanced; many companies are actively hiring for remote roles, and the demand for such jobs varies significantly by industry. The lack of specific data regarding the number of applicants per job posting limits our understanding of the true difficulty in securing these positions.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information regarding job markets and remote work, considering the variability in data sources and the potential biases that may influence reported trends. Further research and data would be beneficial to provide a clearer picture of the WFH job market dynamics.

Sources

U.S. Career Institute. "50 Eye-Opening Remote Work Statistics for 2024." Link
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "The rise in remote work since the pandemic and its impact." Link
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Telework (CPS)." Link
Forbes. "15 Companies Hiring Remote Jobs In 2023, According To Flexjobs." Link
CNBC. "Companies that will let you work from home and are hiring now." Link
Robert Half. "Remote Work Statistics and Trends for 2025." Link
Virtual Vocations. "Hiring for Fully Remote Jobs—25 Fortune 500 Companies to Watch in 2023." Link
Virtual Vocations. "2023 Year-End Report and Remote Jobs Statistics." Link
Forbes. "Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 30 Companies For Remote Jobs In 2023." Link
Virtual Vocations. "Top 100 Companies to Watch for Fully Remote Jobs in 2023." Link