Working remotely has turned from an anomaly to a necessity and finally to a luxury most employees are expecting from their employers. Most employees are sworn by remote work and are ready to shift to companies that can accommodate remote working policies and offer remote positions. The pandemic has turned companies in favor of remote working, and most firms are looking to adapt to a hybrid model or allow their employees to work completely remote in the coming future.
This has led to fierce competition for remote jobs and employees who deliver well from a remote setting. However, remote working and remote positions are not without their challenges. The remote employees need to have a specific set of skills to effectively function in remote positions and be profitable for the organization.
But if you are ready to work from home and looking for a full-time remote job, then these strategies can help you find the right remote position and get hired faster.
So how do you get a full-time remote job in this competitive industry with so many options available?
Here is how you can land a full-time remote job in 4 easy steps.
If your goal is to find a fully remote job, then that is where you should begin your search. Focus on companies that hire for remote positions and support remote employees. The past couple of years have brought about a significant change for remote work. Companies are more than willing to provide remote working options for their employees if they can bring the right results. Look for the companies that describe themselves as “remote-friendly” or “remote flexible”.
There are several platforms like Turing.com that are completely dedicated to helping employees find great remote positions. Instead of setting up filters for ‘remote’ on regular job sites, you can directly sift through these job sites for your perfect remote position.
While the responsibilities of an employee do not differ whether he/she might be working from the office or home, there are certain requirements that are expected from a remote employee. The majority of employers look for trustworthy people and people who are really passionate about their work.
Remote employers need to avoid micromanagement and trust their employees to their work to create high-quality work. So, when you land an interview for remote work, you will be questioned about your day-to-day activities, personal habits, and work routines. They will be more interested to talk about you as a person to see whether you can be trusted to work without any supervision.
Employers hiring for a remote position are looking for someone who can not only fill a role but also do it from a remote environment. And a resume is the first window of opportunity to show employers what you are capable of. You must emphasize in your resume that you have what it takes to be a great remote worker.
Mention any previous remote work experience in the resume. This could show your potential employers that you are capable of handling the work remotely. In case you have no prior remote work experience, then highlight all the key skills that are needed for a remote employee.
The top skills that employers look for in remote employees are:
Above all, you will be required to have great communication skills to converse freely with the diverse teams that come with remote-friendly companies.
However, if you truly want to show companies that you are more than capable, then send a video resume explaining all your skills, your niche expertise, and how you are the right fit for the position.
You can also maybe set up a workspace that you can highlight in your video resume.
It is highly unlikely that the interviews for remote positions will happen in person, so prepare for phone interviews and video interviews. One of the most important things you can do is to test your technology ahead of the interview to prevent any malfunctions during the call. Maybe even practice talking to the video and make sure you are in a place with a great internet connection, else it could lead to a disruptive interview.
Some tips you have to keep in mind during phone and video interviews are:
And, keep your tone consistent and professional throughout the interview. Even if you falter, pick yourself up and answer confidently.
With remote working comes distractions at home, streaming platforms vying for your attention, the constant need to take a break, and negligence of the task at hand.
You have toiled hard to land the remote position of your dreams. Now, it is time to stay productive and deliver on the promise of efficiency.
How can you be productive when working remotely? Here’s how!
However, before you start your ‘remote specific’ resume or begin your search for ‘remote friendly’ companies, there is one important aspect you must consider.
Think about why you really need a remote job:
There could be a number of reasons for going completely remote. It could be your health, family emergencies, or the pandemic even. However, before taking up remote work responsibilities, you must fully assess the gravity of your situation and understand why you want to work remotely. This requires a little research and self-reflection on your part. It pays to know if remote work is right for you, your lifestyle, and your career goals.
So why do you want to work remotely?
Whatever the reason that compels you to choose to work remotely permanently, ensure that you weigh the pros and cons before taking a nose dive into the world of remote positions and opportunities.
And that is not to say that remote work is not without its faults.
Remote work is not for everybody. Some people thrive in the office and others do their best work when working from home. Few require more in-person interactions to keep them motivated and productive. Once you are sure that remote life is the perfect fit for you, only then take it a step further.
Remote working became the need of the hour when the pandemic struck us out of the blue. Even as the world began opening up, more and more employees are choosing to work from home. The appeal of increased personal time, a stress-free work environment, and more freedom has compelled employees to shift to companies offering work-from-home opportunities.
However, you must understand that finding and getting hired for a remote job is a lot different than traditional work opportunities. In addition to proving that you have the right skills for the job, you must convince the potential employer that you can work efficiently on your own and collaborate with the team effectively. Once you have gained the trust of your employer, it is all smooth sailing.
##Frequently asked questions:
You can set yourself apart from the competition by talking about your remote experience, highlighting your collaboration skills, emphasizing your knowledge of remote communication tools, and most importantly, your communication skills. This can put you in the spotlight and help land your favorite remote gig.
At times, the difference between work life and personal time blurs in a remote working environment. However, with a set schedule and dedication to follow it, you can easily manage your work and personal life.
By the looks of it, yes. As more and more employees are leaning toward remote working, companies are also introducing remote-friendly policies to make it easier for their employees. So, it is safe to say that remote work will not be going anywhere in the near future.
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