Looking to secure a remote job? In this article, we’ll discuss steps to follow for a successful remote work search and how you can stand out as an applicant for a remote job. Many companies are hiring distant teams for remote jobs. Give yourself an edge by following the tips discussed in this article.
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As companies across the world pivot to working within the confines of a screen, so should you—whether an employee or a gig economy worker be consistent with the requirements for effective remote work.
There is a slew of platforms that enable remote work and many collaborative and communicative tools that allow teams to cooperate on projects and liaise with one another.
With the increasing pace of technological innovation and an ever-improving technical know-how, these essential tools (computers and software) are regularly reimagined, reinvented and updated with new and improved functions that enhance our collective remote work experience.
That said, if you can—not necessarily masterly—manipulate and use these tools, coupled with a tailor-made CV, you’re well on your way to reap the benefits as you move along on your remote job responsibilities.
In the subsequent paragraphs, we will dissect steps to follow and things you can do and the requisite tools needed to stand out as an applicant for a remote job. Let’s go!
For starters—literally, to begin your journey in remote work, there’s no gainsaying you need at least a basic, functional computer system and good internet connection.
These two form the bedrock of working remotely. If any is lacking or is dysfunctional, then it is safe to say remote work becomes improbable. In sum, having these is crucial and when they’re available, you’re all set for online work.
How to stand out as a candidate for remote jobs
The following are measures you can take to spike your chances of consideration for a remote job per your resume:
1. Highlight remote work (or similar) experience
If you have no experience working remotely, that’s no barrier. All that matters to the hiring manager—at least most of the time—is execution. Your ability to perform your tasks in an efficient and timely manner.
You can state these in your work history, experience, and achievements. And if you work in teams where others are remote or in another location, highlight how you collaborate virtually.
Conversely, If you have already worked remotely in the past, include this in the job description on your resume or put the phrase “remote” where the location would go.
In the cover letter, where you have a choice of which examples to highlight, select the remote work spells and elaborate your experience at remote work and detail how you successfully completed projects while working remotely.
2. Highlight tangible results
In a remote work environment, your manager can’t see you working so they can only judge you based on your output. Your application, therefore, needs to be heavy on tangible output, for example, specific results that you achieved for past employers, relevant skills that can easily be verified with work samples.
A portfolio or website that showcases past projects is an efficient way to share this information. You can include relevant links in both your resume and online profile. Certifications and licenses are additional ways to demonstrate a level of expertise.
3. Show that you’re manageable from a distance
Hiring managers want to know that you have the technical and soft skills needed to be an effective remote worker. Highlight if you have experience working with any of the tech platforms mentioned in the job description, like videoconferencing systems or collaboration tools. E.g. Zoom and Slack.
Supervisors also want to make sure you have solid communication skills that are compatible with their culture, so be clear about how you successfully communicate and manage work while remote.
If the job you’re applying for calls for it, highlight previous tasks or projects where you worked well independently and collaborated seamlessly online. Or if you’re applying for a management position, you’ll want to distinguish how you set expectations and monitor progress with employees you oversee from a distance.
4. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the work
In addition to letting the hiring manager know that you possess the skills for the job, you also want them to know that you want to do the work. You don’t want your dream company to think you’re applying just because you want to work from home.
The work-from-home arrangement benefits you, and you really do want your application to focus on what benefits your prospective employer.
Your cover letter and other correspondence with the company should include specific reasons why you’re interested in the role in question, the company overall and the broader industry.
Share how you got involved in this line of work. Highlight specific things about the company that attracts you – for example, mission, products, customer base, history, founder’s story, and so forth.
If there are industry trends or specific challenges that pique your interest even more, that’s another way to demonstrate that you’re involved and up to date.
5. Be responsive
Respond to calls and emails promptly. Be flexible to schedule with. If it’s hard to get in touch with you now when you presumably want this job, it will be harder to reach you when you already have the job. If you have a hard time organizing your calendar now, you might find remote work difficult.
To wrap up,
Make sure you keep your LinkedIn profile updated and optimized for remote work search to enable recruiters to find you. Additionally, if you completed your degree online, took online classes or got certified remotely for a skill, make sure that’s noted on your LinkedIn page too. Best of luck!
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