08 Feb
Ahhh… The remote job.
The mythical beast in the job market that was at one time considered the most coveted working condition of them all, has now become somewhat of a necessity, especially given the times that we live in.
What was once the domain of misunderstood backpackers has now become a cultural staple of the modern workforce, and with good reason. In recent years, remote working has seen a 159% increase since 2005, with widely reported benefits for both job seekers and businesses.
Reports have asserted that not only does remote working provide the very obvious benefit of location independence, but it also contributes to increased worker productivity and overall cost-effectiveness for businesses. This all goes without mentioning the most sought-after benefit: a better work-life balance.
But as the job market sees incredible and rapid shifts, the culture of remote work has had to change. Most notably, the remote workforce is speculated to now have nearly 5 million workers, meaning that if job seekers want to break into the growing field of remote work, they are facing some pretty steep competition.
To that end, it’s critical for job hunters to keep a few things in mind when searching for a remote job, if they have any plan to land one successfully.
To wit:
1. Know Thyself
It should go without saying, but it bears mentioning anyway: Do you really want to be a remote worker? Remote work is fraught with life-and-death communication delays, some very frustrating situations, and often, loneliness. Are you at a place in your life where you feel confident about weathering those trials? If in the end, you find that it isn’t the right fit, there’s no shame in that. There are still jobs that absolutely need people in the office, and that’s okay. The most important factor here is being honest with yourself, as it will ultimately save both you and your potential employer a lot of time, money and ultimately, frustration, should that be the case.
2. Highlight Your Soft Skills
While it’s always important to make sure that the skills listed on your resume are an honest match with the job you are looking for, in a post-Covid job market, many employers are looking for potential candidates that can go the distance. Specifically, skills that make for an ideal candidate on a remote team might be geared towards people who are collaborative, great communicators and have a high emotional intelligence quotient (EQ). If this is you, make sure to demonstrate that on your resume!
3. Search in the Right Places
It’s worth noting that all remote job boards aren’t created equal. In this, we are not talking about job quality (which is another conversation entirely). To this end, it’s important to note that not all job boards have made remote job listings their priority. Still, there are some job boards geared specifically toward remote jobs that can be incredible resources to help you find your dream job. Some great ones? Pangian, WeWorkRemotely, and UpWork are just a few that are specifically set up for remote job seekers.
4. Get Noticed
If you are looking to kickstart your career as a “remote (fill in the blank)”, you can guarantee that you are not the only one. Statistics can be daunting when considering yourself against a tidal wave of unknown competition. But ultimately, companies really are looking for the best fit possible, because finding the wrong candidate can end up being a costly mistake on their end. It’s in their interest to find a candidate who will be effective, productive, and who is in it for the long-haul, which is why they often consider “culture fit” when screening candidates. Make sure that you are standing out by including some interests on your resume; you never know if you’ll find your next job due to shared interest in “Tron”.
5. Get Prepared
Interviews can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the hiring process for job seekers. There is probably nothing more fraught than the knowledge that you only have a few minutes to make a great impression, while simultaneously proving that you are the best candidate for the job. When you do score that interview, make sure that you practice (practice, practice!) beforehand, so that you can confidently navigate the interview and nail your dream remote job.
Luckily, if you need some practice, Mockmate is your perfect sidekick. The smart AI job interview simulator mulls over hundreds of interview questions and helps get you prepared to answer the toughest on-the-spot interview questions. Our favorite? “Tell me about yourself…?” Try it out for free, and then go get that job!
