If you're on the hunt to find a remote job in your field, you're not the only one. In recent years, more people are choosing to ditch their 9-to-5's in favor of working from home.
\r\nA study by Harvard Business Review found that working from home boosts productivity by eliminating distractions. On top of that, it saves money on a commute, gives you more time to spend with loved ones, and creates a better work-life balance, among other things. However, finding the right remote opportunity is a different story. If you don’t know what to look for or how to search properly, it'll be difficult to land the job you want. Around 36% of employees prefer flexibility over a pay raise, proving these types of jobs highly sought after.
\r\nWhen searching for a remote postion, you have to
\r\nHere are more details on each item to help ensure you land a remote position that is a good fit.
\r\nWorking from home sounds like a dream, but when put into practice, it becomes clear it's not for everyone. Some people perform with more efficiency if they have a structure put in place by someone else. Others work better when they complete tasks on their own terms without anyone telling them to. It depends on what works best for you personally.
\r\nBefore beginning your remote job search lay out the pros and cons. If this is something you've done before, this step isn't as necessary. However, if this is your first endeavor into the telecommuting world, it's best to assess if the change is right for you.
\r\nCommon pros of working remotely include
\r\nSetting your own hours
\r\nNo commute
\r\nBetter work-life balance
\r\nCost-effective
\r\nNo office drama, chatter, or distractions
\r\nThe cons of remote working normally include:
\r\nYou need to hone the proper skillset to successfully work from home. If you don't have self-discipline, motivation or time management, it's going to be challenging to meet deadlines and keep up with the workload.
\r\nRecruiters don't spend an awful lot of time reading each line of your resume to determine if you're the right fit or not. At best, they scan them for 15 to 30 seconds and come to speedy conclusions. For larger companies that receive hundreds of applications, it’s nearly impossible to analyze every detail of an application. That's why your CV needs to stand out.
\r\nYou should create a separate, custom resume for every position you apply for. Although it may be time-consuming and even frustrating, it's essential to tailor each resume you submit. It shows you paid attention to the listing, have the qualities the company is looking for and aren't a cookie-cutter employee.
\r\nGo the extra mile to create custom CVs for every position you apply for. Highlight your experience with the types of tools remote workers typically rely on. Employers look for specific keywords and skills that match their job posting, and if yours doesn't match, it shows you aren't qualified.
\r\nA huge part of your resume is building an online portfolio where you gather projects that demonstrate your skills and expertise. Portfolios are a great way to show off what you know and prove to potential employers you have what it takes to succeed.
\r\nAn online portfolio typically has these elements:
\r\nIf you're new in your industry, it's difficult to gather pieces and projects to put in your portfolio. However, that doesn't mean you don't stand a chance against those with prior experience. You can create mock projects similar to those you'd have at the company you're applying for. For example, if you're searching for a writing position in digital marketing, you can create blog posts and articles in your niche and add them to your collection.
\r\nIf you have self-directed projects you completed in your industry, make them the star of your portfolio. Explain the process so recruiters understand how you operate and what kind of projects you have experience working on. If your work helped the company reach a milestone or received positive feedback, include that information.
\r\nIt's crucial to demonstrate how you solve pain points and how your work produces results. Your portfolio shouldn't be a collection of every project you've ever worked on. Instead, you need to pick the best pieces to show recruiters. Update your portfolio regularly to ensure you feature only the best pieces.
\r\nFor most job sites, remote options are limited. This type of work is still up-and-coming, and although it's growing in popularity, that means finding opportunities takes more work. However, don't let this deter you from finding a telecommuting job, as there are still many options to choose from.
\r\nMake your job search easier by looking in the right places. It's tedious enough to fill out job application after job application, but when you're applying for a position that excites you, it makes the experience less irritating.
\r\nRemote-friendly job boards are your best bet for finding opportunities that let you work from home. It's even better if they're built specifically for remote openings so you know every posting is a possibility.
\r\nThe most popular remote job boards include but are not limited to
\r\nFlexJobs: FlexJobs offers positions in multiple industries so you can search within your niche. You can also sign up for their newsletter to receive new listings, search tips and more.
\r\nWeWorkRemotely: They list thousands of new postings per day in several industries, so if you’re looking for a wide breadth of opportunities, this is the job board for you.
\r\nJobspresso: Before a listing is published, it's first reviewed by the Jobspresso team to ensure it's worth applying for. It's easier to find quality work when the job board approves it beforehand.
\r\nRemote.co: Remote.co wants to encourage more employees and companies to embrace flexibility by providing expert insight and support to users.
\r\nRemote Work Hub: This job board only posts long-term or permanent positions so those looking for something more stable can find an opportunity.
\r\nOther than job boards, you can also use social media to find remote opportunities. More employers are taking to social platforms to express their need for employees because it's a receptive tool that garners responses. You can use remote job-seeking hashtags such as #RemoteJobSearch or #RemoteWorkerForHire to gain attention.
\r\nTelecommuting isn't for everyone, but it could be the right fit for you. Take the time to assess if remote work is something you're genuinely interested in doing. Some people start the search convinced it's what they want only to realize they aren't cut out for the lifestyle after all.
\r\nFor any job hunt, it's crucial to optimize your resume and portfolio for the best results. On top of that, spend time deciding where to search for remote opportunities and tailoring your resumes so recruiters take you seriously. If you’re serious about finding the next work-from-home opportunity, you need to put in the work first.
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