With the Pandemic disrupting job market globally, many typical workplace/ office jobs are being performed remotely temporarily & more & more professionals are exploring remote/work from home opportunities.
If you are looking to explore remote job opportunities during this time, the following paragraphs will give you valuable insights for a successful & effective job search strategy for remote jobs.
Remote job search is similar to traditional job search. You have to go through similar stages- sending job applications, networking & going through the interview process. However, you are required to present yourself in a very different & unique way. When hiring remote employees, employers look for qualifications & competencies to deliver the job as well as skills & expertise that will help them perform the tasks remotely.
Effective remote job search involves the following:
- Include remote friendly skills in your resume: There are a number of skills remote employers look for in candidates. These include,
- Written & oral communication
- Comfort with technology, remote collaboration platforms & troubleshooting skills
- Ability to work independently
- Credible work ethics & ability to own up responsibility
- Ability to stay focused
Your resume should reflect these skills & showcase accomplishments using these skills.
- Include previous remote working experience in your resume: if you have worked remotely in the past, do not forget to include that in your resume. It will provide you a competitive edge. Besides, other forms of remote working experience can also strengthen your candidature:
- Working from home occasionally
- Experience working across time zones or collaborating from different locations
- Using remote collaboration & communication tools such as google drive, instant messaging, online text chat using platforms such as slack, video conferencing using platforms such as google meet or zoom & project management tools such as trello
Those accomplishments & tools are great keywords for your resume. While hiring for remote positions, employers use ATS to search for relevant remote working keywords such as those mentioned above to recruit for remote working successfully.
3) While searching for remote jobs online, search using keywords such as remote jobs, telecommute jobs & virtual jobs: Work from home jobs are full of scams. Scammers user keywords such as work from home & work at home quite often. So avoiding such words can help you do away with such scammers.
4) Be visible & active on LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a great source when it comes to networking & job search online. Besides, getting connected with previous contacts & expanding profound networks, networking on LinkedIn can help you practice communicating in a remote way. This will certainly help you build strategic communication skills remote employers are looking for.When it comes to remote working, employers look at your LinkedIn profile rather than resume. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is upto date & your resume & LinkedIn profile speak the same language when it comes to date, job title, employers & education. Start connecting with people you know & post regularly every week on topics relevant for your field. Keep the engagement level up by commenting, liking or sharing other postings.
5) Look out for remote friendly companies: Spend at least 40% of time you devote to job search on researching about companies that traditionally had work from an office atmosphere & are now looking to set up their remote working programs in place. These organisations are most likely not going to put remote positions on hold. On LinkedIn, follow the employers that interest you & try to connect with current & former employees of those organisation
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