When the global pandemic was going on back in 2020, more and more people started working from home as a precaution. However, opinions were mixed regarding whether it was a positive change or something that people just couldn’t get used to. Some people longed to return to the office, and others found it difficult to work remotely. Meanwhile, there are others who love the idea of working remotely. They hate the idea of going back to the office, and they would much prefer to stay at home if possible.
If you find yourself in the latter camp, then you’ve come to the right place. Even if you’ve already landed yourself a comfortable remote job, learning how to get hired with a few modern strategies can be an excellent use of your time.
Understanding the remote landscape and what jobs are available
One of the very first things you need to do is understand the remote job landscape so you know what’s available to you. Familiarize yourself with the types of jobs that are available as remote roles and consider if you can pivot your skills to suit them, or if you need to start over from scratch.
Starting over with a new career isn’t as bad as it sounds. Assuming you’ve got enough savings to last you a while, you could very easily start from the ground up assuming there’s enough demand for new hires in certain remote roles. However, it’s understandable that some people might be cautious about giving up their past careers and starting something fresh, especially if they’re already well-established. However, if no remote roles exist for your current skill set, then there’s no other option than to start over and learn something new.
You should also try to learn what remote jobs are available. This is something that is constantly changing and you’ll find yourself learning about new opportunities all the time. Currently, there are a couple of really popular remote roles such as teachers, writers, consultants, customer service representatives, and accountants. If you specialize in one of these industries, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find a remote job that utilizes your skills.
With a deep understanding of the remote job landscape, you’ll find it a lot easier to search for a job in the future. You’ll know what skills are in high demand, what kinds of roles are available, and also what skills you should focus on learning if you want to get hired.
Building a digital presence so that people know who you are
One of the more interesting things about remote work is that you often need to establish a digital presence in order to increase your chances of being hired. This is because, unlike traditional job roles, the only way to really see what you’re capable of is to look at what you’ve done in the past. This means looking at past companies that you’ve worked with, articles that you’ve written in your name, and websites that you’ve taught with.
Thankfully, you don’t need to go to great lengths to achieve something like this. A digital presence these days can mean anything from a LinkedIn profile to having a portfolio website. Portfolios are great if you have a lot of work to show off and a list of clients to flaunt, but LinkedIn works perfectly fine as well. In some cases, you might be better off establishing a presence on more casual social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook, especially for more creative roles such as writing and art.
In short, remember that your digital footprint and presence are two very important things to work on if you want to be hired for a remote role. Showcase your skills, let people know what kind of experience you have, and make sure you have some kind of website or social media profile where people can find you. If you’re fresh in the industry and don’t have an idea of where to start, then setting up a portfolio can be a great way to show people what you’re capable of.
Tailoring your application to the role
If you’ve been using your traditional CV to apply for remote roles then you may have more success redoing everything and starting from scratch. When companies look at resumes and CVs, they want to see that you’re ready for a remote role. There are loads of potential recruits that probably have all of the qualifications they’re looking for minus the experience working in a remote role. After all, not everyone is suitable for a remote role even if they have the other skills needed.
So when you’re putting together a CV or writing a cover letter, try to emphasize the skills that are necessary for a remote position. For instance, being proficient with digital tools, being able to motivate yourself, and also having great time management skills. The more you highlight these skills, the more likely you’ll be chosen.
Not sure how to convert your CV so that you appear remote-ready? Consider working with services like CV Experts who can help you write one. Remember: the goal here is to look more attractive to companies that are hiring, and they want to see that you’ve got what it takes for a remote role. If you just show them what you’re capable of in a normal job setting, then they’re probably not going to hire you!
Consider asking your current company about remote positions
So you’ve done all of your research and you’ve found that your role could potentially be a remote position. If that’s the case, then why not approach your employer about the possibility of hybrid work or switching to become fully remote? This can work if you’re able to convince your employer, but you’ll need to provide some kind of statistics or benefits that they can expect if you were to work remotely.
In general, it’s best to mention hybrid working so that you’re not completely absent from the workplace. Once you’ve tested the waters a bit, switching to remote work takes just one more step in the right direction.
