Five tips to use coworking space to its fullest

Co-working space has become more mainstream: in 2017 there were 1.7 million people working in co-working spaces worldwide and that number is expected to grow.

28 December 2018 | by Jobrapido

Coworking spaces have been popping up steadily over the past ten years. Originally it was geared toward freelancers and early-phase start-ups, but with real estate prices rising in prime locations coworking space has become more mainstream. In 2017 there were 1.7 million people working in co-working spaces worldwide and that number is expected to grow as technology changes the way we work. But if you’ve ever had a flatmate, you know that shared spaces come with their own set of pros and cons. Here are five tips to help you use the space to its fullest:

1. Take advantage of the amenities!

Snacks, free coffee, swanky stand-up desks and printing services, these are just a few of the amenities your coworking space may offer. Much of the appeal in coworking lies in the amenities you can access for a lower price in exchange for sharing a space.

2. Network

Coworking tends to attract entrepreneur and start-up types, who may be willing to offer you valuable insight. Get to know the people in your space. Bounce ideas off them and offer your skills as well. One of the biggest benefits of coworking space is the sense of community, so it’s essential to network and become part of that community.

3. Set boundaries

Since there’s no physical presence of an HR and many people from different companies all working under one roof, any issues between coworking space colleagues need to be resolved directly. Get ahead of this by setting boundaries. For example, tell your chatty neighbor that if you’re wearing your headphones, it means you need to focus or you’re on a deadline.

4. Embrace flexibility

Most coworking spaces are open 24/7, so you don’t need to limit your hours to the usual 9-5 if it’s not what works best for you. Also, co-working spaces offer you flexibility of environment. Change up your scenery – move from a desk to a sofa or to an outdoor space – the choice is yours.