Today, the labor market is divided into two main types of jobs: office jobs and field jobs. Each type has its own characteristics and limitations, and each also has special skills that must be possessed to succeed in it. In our article today, we will learn about the difference between office jobs and field jobs and the skills you need to work in each of these two types.

What is “office work”?

Office work refers to jobs in which the employee spends most of the time sitting at a desk performing routine office work. The details of office work vary from one company to another, but they generally include:

Use of computers.
Communicate with others via e-mail or fax.
Maintaining company records and files.
Paper and written assignments.

The office work environment is characterized by the fact that all its components, including individuals, spaces, equipment, and furniture, are often consistent and harmonious with each other to achieve the best possible performance.

What is fieldwork?

Field work refers to jobs that do not require sitting in an office and instead require moving and traveling between locations.As many industries as possible use field work to achieve their goals, such as sales, technology, construction, and the agricultural industries. This leads to a variety of tasks and duties required of the field employee.

For example, a field employee in the agricultural sector works outdoors between farms and fields, while a field employee in the communications sector must visit customers’ homes and workplaces to identify and solve problems they face.

Office work or field work?

Some prefer to commit to an office job in which they spend specific hours and accomplish clear routine tasks, while others tend to prefer field jobs that give them greater freedom and flexibility. To learn more about each type of job, take a look at the pros and cons of each type so you can decide what you prefer:

Advantages of office work

We can summarize the most important advantages of office work as follows:

Access to technology and the Internet and gain greater knowledge about them.
Office jobs are not physically demanding, so they are quite comfortable.
Office jobs enjoy a kind of routine and organization that makes the tasks clear and specific to the employee.
Ability to communicate with bosses and team leaders easily.
Possibility of building close relationships with bosses and colleagues.
The ability to stay abreast of the latest developments in the company and keep up with them.

Field work features

Field jobs involve more physical activity.
Diversity in tasks prevents employees from feeling bored.
Flexibility in the nature of work.
Not having to sit and stay in front of a computer screen.
Not having to adhere to a formal dress code for work.
Not having to adhere to office policies.

Disadvantages of office work

Lack of physical movement, which affects the fitness of employees.
Staying in front of a computer screen throughout working hours causes no health problems for the back, neck, or eyes.
Staying indoors most of the time and not getting enough exposure to the outdoors.
Lack of diversity in tasks and jobs, which creates a feeling of boredom and leads to a lack of motivation over time.
Increased distractions and confusion by co-workers.

Disadvantages of fieldwork

Field jobs are often more demanding than office jobs.
Not very suitable for girls, and sometimes unsafe.
High chance of injuries and illness due to dealing with many clients from different backgrounds.
Insufficient appreciation of the field employee.
Ignorance of the most important current developments in the parent company.
Insufficient communication between field staff and their managers or colleagues in the organization.
Difficulty advancing up the career ladder.

After learning about the most important pros and cons of each type of job, you may now be wondering about the most important skills required in each type.
It is worth noting that the skills required in office work are very different from those needed to succeed in field work, so before you choose the type of job in which you want to work, get to know the skills required for each.

Office work skills

Office jobs, due to their nature and characteristics, need a set of skills that must be acquired and strengthened in order for the office employee to be able to perform his duties to the fullest. Among these skills, we mention the following:

1- Organizing skills

Office workers need to be organized. Those who lack this skill often suffer from the loss of important files, and we find that they are late in performing their tasks. unlike the organized employee who knows where everything is and has a place for everything.

Organization skills, whether time management, task management, or others, contribute to increased performance efficiency and productivity, reducing work pressure and tension.

2- Technological skills

Office workers often have to work on computers. Therefore, technological or computer skills are among the most important skills that an office employee must possess. These skills include:

The ability to deal with office programs such as Microsoft Office
The ability to prepare presentations using various programs dedicated to this purpose
Good use of various technological devices such as computers, scanners, printers, etc.
Working knowledge of databases and various information storage programs, which is frequently required of office staff with experience or who work in a specific field such as banking or human resources management,

3- Communication skills

Although the office worker spends most of his working hours in front of a computer screen, he may still need help drafting a specific paragraph or completing a task. For this reason, he must possess the written and oral communication skills that enable him to deal accurately and politely with the rest of his colleagues or bosses.

4- Interpersonal skills

Office environments are often stressful, resulting in jittery nerves and sometimes emotional outbursts, which reduce productivity and lower performance. Here, the successful office employee must manage his personal relationships without offending others or affecting his work. Interpersonal skills include the ability to communicate effectively, listen to others, deal with stress, and more.

Field work skills

We can summarize the most important basic skills required for field work as follows:

1- Communication skills

Field work requires writing reports and collecting news and information with the aim of solving a specific problem, marketing a product, or managing a project in a proper way. Therefore, the field employee must have excellent communication skills, whether written or oral, in order to be able to deliver his message to his target audience of customers.

Communication skills are not limited to written and oral abilities only. As the field employee is exposed to dealing with societies of different cultures, he must be able to communicate directly and efficiently, whether with clients, stakeholders, or others.

2- Language skills

Some field jobs require immersion in different societies and cultures, and others require travel abroad as well, which makes language skills essential for the field employee. Therefore, knowing a second language or an additional local dialect is considered one of the most important and preferred skills for those wishing to work in the field.

In addition, having a general knowledge of the local laws in force in a specific geographical area is essential for many field jobs. Follow the tips below to develop your language skills with a view to getting a field job:

Learn a second language other than the one you master: If you are interested in working in Africa, then the French language is your choice. If you want to work on the North American continent, then Portuguese and Spanish are the best choices.
Follow local news channels and learn about the most important events taking place in the country or region in which you want to work.
Read more about the culture of the country or region where you want to get a field job, and connect with the local communities in that region to gain more knowledge about the place.

3- Skills for Dealing with Maps

Field work is mainly about moving from one place to another, so you will often need strong skills in dealing with maps in order to be able to record and access customer addresses easily and conveniently through the use of various geolocation applications. If you find it difficult to deal with the compass and the map or with the GPS application, you may want to reconsider the idea of field work or seek to enhance this skill before deciding to search for a field job.

4- Data collection skills

The field employee must possess strong skills in the use of various data collection methods and techniques, which are represented in the proper selection of the appropriate method of collecting information and then using it correctly to ensure that it is returned when needed.

The methods used to collect data vary depending on the job; it could be traditional methods such as paper and pen, or modern methods such as recording and imaging devices and the like.After choosing the field job you want, your boss will explain to you the appropriate and commonly used method, and it remains for you to learn it and develop the ability to use it efficiently to achieve the desired results.

At the end of our article, it remains for us to point out that both types are important and that they often complement each other. Also, choosing the right job from them depends greatly on the personality and tendencies of the individual. While some are creative in office work, we find that others do not unleash their creative energies except through field work.

Who is better? Office work or field work?

What is “office work”?

What is fieldwork?