9 Best Practices for Getting Started with Remote Work
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The world is working remotely, and you can too! Follow these best practices for getting started with telecommuting and gain a competitive advantage to land your dream job:
There's no reason to stress about starting telecommuting.
Sure, the COVID-19 lockdowns meant an abrupt shift from office workplaces to those in the virtual world. But now that employers and employees have made the transition, there may be no reason to go back.
Ultimately, employers save money, increase diversity, and reap many other benefits when they hire employees remotely. Employees are also more productive and have a better work-life balance [ * ].
Despite these benefits, starting telecommuting can be more scary than exciting for college graduates or people changing jobs for the first time.
How do you find remote jobs? Do my skills make up for a lack of remote work experience? How do I compete with top talent from around the world applying for the same jobs?
Take a deep breath and read on to find some answers and ideas in today's guide.
9 Best Practices for Getting Started with Remote Work
Those : flexjobs.com
These tips and best practices for getting started with remote work will help you achieve and grow your dream career:
#1. Determine what you are actually looking for
Instead of applying “blindly” to a million jobs, consider your preferences and skills as you search for a job. Knowing exactly what you want and what you are qualified for will save you time searching and speed up the process.
Make a list of the requirements you have for a remote position:
- How many hours you can work (part-time, full-time, contract)
- The exact working hours you can do
- Which time zones do you work best in?
- Job titles you have or are aspiring to
- Education/certifications required for position
- Required experience (i.e. entry level or C-suite)
- Whether you prefer to work primarily alone or in a team
- Employee benefits you need
Keep this list handy and update it as you learn more about which remote jobs pique your interest.
#2. Stick to a schedule
Remote workers don't always work 9 to 5. Many people choose their working hours based on when they are most productive. So you should start training your time management now to find out how self-scheduling works for you.
This exercise has many benefits:
Sticking to a schedule will help you get used to a consistent remote work routine. And your roommates and family members will get used to leaving you alone during work hours. Both are helpful before You are officially on duty.
And setting a schedule or specific window of time for your job search will help you better manage the stress and anxiety that comes with it. Job search depression is real. And you need some time off for self-care, recharging, and social activities.
#Nr. 3: Fake It Till You Make It
Those : how.com
They will not feel like a potential remote worker when you fill out applications on the couch in your pajamas every day. So overcoming imposter syndrome also includes playing the role.
After setting up your work-from-home schedule, dress in something comfortable yet professional. Create your own flexible workspace with a tidy and distraction-free desk or table and an ergonomic chair (ideally near a window). Make yourself some coffee or tea, play some music or ambient noise to help you concentrate, and look for spots like it's your job.
This is also an ideal time to familiarize yourself with the most popular remote tools and software used by your colleagues. Download or watch tutorials on how to use Slack, Trello, Basecamp, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, and more.
When you land your new job, you'll be a pro at taking advantage of them and dealing with distractions.
#4. Brush up on your resume and cover letter
If you do not have work experience abroad, you should highlight transferable skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Make these the star of your resume and cover letter - they can't be missed.
How do you know what skills hiring managers are looking for? Look at the keywords used in the job advertisements. Copy every skill you possess (be honest!) and paste it into your cover letter and resume.
Essential remote skills often include:
- Excellent written communication
- Time management
- Cooperation
- Organisation
- Self-motivation
- Ability to work independently
- Technical competence
Would you like to have more to offer? Since Personal Development catapults your long-distance career, use this time to further your education!
Research shows that 72% of hiring managers believe certifications are highly valued on a candidate's resume [ * ]. And with professional certificate program enrollments 15 times higher than normal during the COVID-19 lockdowns, you've got some stiff competition [ * ].
Job seekers looking to upskill can find free resources at Coursera , LinkedIn Learning , Khan Academy , edX and many more websites.
#5. Optimize your professional online presence
Expect hiring managers and decision makers to Google you before getting back to you. And since you may never meet someone from an outside company in person, it's important to make a great first impression online.
To compete with the global talent pool and put your best foot forward, optimize your professional social media profiles to reflect your achievements, skills, interests and career history.
Use a professional headshot, write a short but meaningful resume, and include visible contact information. Don't forget to update your LinkedIn profile so employers and hiring managers know you're interested in new opportunities.
If you want to take it a step further, consider creating a personal website - especially if you work on digital projects or campaigns. These case studies will help you prove you've got something and show hiring managers that you're capable.
#6. Make the first connection
Those : investmentnews.com
According to statistics, up to 85% of jobs are filled through networks [ * ]. And luckily for you, connecting remotely has never been easier or quicker.
Now you can bypass the awkward conversations and bland pastries on Mixers and connect with the people and companies that appeal to you.
To level up your networking game:
- Follow companies you admire or would like to work for on social media
- Ask current employees for advice/recommendations
- Direct contact with HR managers and recruiters
- Ask people in your network to introduce you to potential contacts
Be proactive on Twitter and LinkedIn. All it takes is a simple message or email to get your foot in the door. And you never know where that connection can lead.
Also try connecting with other professionals remotely on social networks, such as: B:
- We Work Remotely Community - The largest remote work community across the country
- Work From - An online water cycle for everyone working from home
- Digital nomads - For teleworkers who travel around the globe
- Creative Tribe - Startup marketers, entrepreneurs and creatives
- Online Geniuses - A group of over 7,000 digital marketers
- #girls - More than 14,000 developers helping each other learn and grow
- Women in technology - A safe, confidential space for working women to share and support each other
#7. Know where to look for the best remote jobs & sign up for job alerts
Skip the big job boards you see. These focus on internal positions and are not designed for remote work. Also be wary of work-at-home job offers on Craigslist and Facebook, as they may be more likely to be scams or MLM schemes.
Instead, get into the habit of searching for remote work opportunities on job boards. We Work Remotely is free for job seekers and connects you with established companies and new start-ups alike.
But with everyone glued to their devices 24/7, you can bet that the best remote work positions will go quickly. Job Alerts help you get to the front of the queue by notifying you via email when relevant jobs are posted.
Update your resume and cover letter so you are the first to know about and apply for new job openings in your field. Sign up to receive daily updates straight to your inbox We work remotely, or become a member and receive real-time job alerts.
#8th. Prepare for virtual interviews
Almost all interviews are conducted via video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Skype. Download these apps (or your interviewer's chosen video app) to familiarize yourself with how they work before you get started.
Check that your camera and microphone are working by making a test call to a friend. Make sure your background is not messy or distracting in front of the camera. Choose a professional interview outfit that will look good on screen.
All of this preparation means fewer headaches on interview day and more time to practice.
Be prepared to answer common remote interview questions, such as: B:
- Have you ever worked remotely?
- What makes you a good candidate for a job abroad?
- What is your communication style?
- What's a secret you use to avoid distractions?
- How long do you normally work?
- Where do you prefer to work?
- Can you work well with a distributed team?
- How do you rate your technical knowledge?
Always send your conversation partner a thank you letter after the conversation. Then be patient because hiring managers are usually very busy and may not respond as quickly. Repeat after yourself a few times (if necessary) without being pushy.
#9. Partner with a remote work leader
When you join the We Work Remotely member community, you'll find everything you need to get started working remotely.
You'll get access to our members-only Slack chat and exclusive one-on-one sessions with experienced remote work career coaches. They will help you chart a career path, create a plan, and ensure you present yourself as effectively as possible.
Preparation is the key to landing your dream field job. Follow all nine of these best practices for getting started with remote work and you'll have a seamless transition and gain a major competitive advantage.
