Many employees now prefer remote jobs over traditional office ones because of the flexibility they get. Remote jobs allow workers to have a work-life balance and reduce turnover rates. However, applying for a remote job and getting hired fast requires you to be smart and use the right strategies.
But how do you achieve this? This guide elaborates on everything you need to know about applying for remote jobs, including the steps to follow and tips for preparing your CV and cover letter.
Fundamental Steps to Take When Applying for a Remote Job
While applying for a remote job, there are important steps to follow that increase your chances of getting hired.
Step 1: Create an Attractive Resume for Remote Jobs
For your resume to stand out, you must make it more impressive. Here’s how to do it.
Make it clear that you want a remote job.
First, you must mention on your resume that you are looking for remote work. Use the resume’s objective or summary statement section to show the company you are looking for a remote job.
Alternatively, you can indicate “location independent” in the physical address section to inform your employer that you’re looking for remote work. It is advisable to specify whether you prefer hybrid or full remote work.
Include your remotely relevant skills.
You must also add your remote skills to the resume to convince the employer to hire you. Indicate your remote skills, like time management, flexibility, and communication skills.
Also, write about your ability to use new technologies like Google Drive and collaboration tools like Zoom. Such skills set you apart from the other applicants, and it is what most remote employers look for in an organized team.
Mention previous experience.
Previous remote work experience on your resume can also help you get a chance in a company. So, indicate this on your resume and write how you used your remote skills to promote the remote company’s work culture.
However, if you have no experience, indicate how your remote skills have helped you in some roles. For example, you can explain how your remote skills, like flexibility, enabled you to work with others in different time zones without challenges.
Step 2: Master the Remote Job Buzzwords
Applying and working remotely is easier only if you understand the remote job buzzwords . So learn the common words in this sector to stay ahead of the competition.
Some of the words to know about include:
Virtual job: This is another word for a remote job, meaning all the work is done remotely.
Hybrid: Hybrid work means working both remotely and physically in an office. Some remote companies prefer a hybrid work environment.
Distributed workforce: This is for a remote company where all workers work from home using specific collaboration tools.
Step 3: Look for job listings
After understanding the remote job buzzwords and creating your resume, know where to apply. Search for remote jobs on LinkedIn, where various companies advertise for different positions. Other traditional job boards to try out include Glassdoor , Indeed, or ZipRecruiter .
However, it is also possible to get remote jobs through remote-specific job boards like FLexjobs, Jobspresso, or Remote.co . Apply for the remote job you highly qualify for, and let luck take its course.
Step 4: Prepare for the Interview
You need to prepare for a remote interview session after submitting your applications. Know the specific questions interviewers ask for remote positions and be ready to tackle them.
Some of the questions to expect from the interviewer include:
What are the digital collaboration tools you have used before?
You should know the latest collaboration tools, like Asana or Monday. Zoom and Slack are other popular collaboration tools you should know about, even if you have never used them.
Do you have experience?
In this question, the interviewer wants to know whether you have prior remote work experience. If you have experience, mention your wins and why you prefer virtual jobs. However, if you have no experience, highlight your strengths and how they can help you work remotely.
How can you rate your communication skills?
If an interviewer asks this question, they want to know how effective your communication skills are. Tell them about your communication style and explain why you think it’s the best for the organization.
Top Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to a Remote Job
You might miss an excellent chance because of simple mistakes. Avoidable errors can keep you looking for a position to work in many organizations without success.
According to a study, remote jobs are in high demand in the US , as most employees prefer to work remotely. And since several people are looking forward to getting hired for the same roles, it means it is hard to get the job. So it is advisable to be smart and review your application strategies to win the chance.
Below are the mistakes you should avoid when applying for a remote job:
Avoid applying for many roles.
Usually, a company can advertise several positions that you qualify for. Desperate for a remote job, you might be tempted to apply for all roles to qualify for one. However, this strategy does not work well, as it reduces the quality of your applications and your chances of getting the job.
Research each role and the company well, and craft an application for the position you are highly qualified for or interested in. Applying for a job you are eligible for increases your chances of getting hired to work for the company.
Not Researching the Company
Another common mistake most people make when applying for remote jobs is not researching the hiring company. Remember, researching the company helps you know if it is the best employer for you. It also shows you are interested in the company, as good research hints at the role, which is helpful during the interview.
However, without researching the company, it becomes hard to know its long- and short-term goals and culture. It is also challenging to understand the requirements for the role and what your day-to-day job might entail. So take your time and do some research about the company and the position you are applying for.
Not matching your resume to the job descriptions
The next notable mistake you should avoid while applying for a remote job is not matching your resume to the job description. When a company advertises for a job, they mention the job description for every role the applicant must fulfill. The job description lets you know whether you qualify for the position.
If you meet all the job specifications in the job description, ensure your resume matches them. Not matching the resume to the job description makes it less competitive, reducing your chances of getting a remote job.
Applying for Jobs Not Matching Location or Timezone Requirements
Even though remote jobs can be done anywhere, regardless of location, many jobs require to be within certain countries -to be able to legally hire- or timezones, to facilitate coordination with other team members or clients.
It’s then important to ensure that you comply with the location and timezone requirements or that the remote job has no location restrictions to work with fewer challenges and enable the company to meet the tax and licensing laws.
Omitting Your Remote Work Skills on the Resume
Applicants should also avoid not including crucial remote work skills on their resume, which can deny them a chance to get the job. Remember, having experience and the required skills for the role is an added advantage and can convince the company that you are the right candidate for the job. Remote skills can range from freelance work to technical skills that make working remotely easier.
Other important skills you should not omit from your resume include:
Having good written and verbal communication skills.
Being self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision.
Good time management capabilities.
Tips/Tricks to Use to Reduce the Challenges When Applying for Remote Work
Applying for a remote job requires competence to win the employer’s attention and get hired. Some of the tricks that can make your application stand out include:
Network
Before applying for a remote job, look for connections with those already working with the desired company. Through the network, you can know what the company looks for in prospective employees and do what is necessary.
You can also ask about the work environment and what to expect once hired. For example, you can request tips for writing your CV and cover letter to make them attractive. Alternatively, you can inbox your friends on various Facebook groups like RemoteLikeMe to know what works when applying for remote jobs.
Show Your Communication Skills Through Your CV and Cover Letter
Communication skills are key in remote jobs, as this determines how effective an employee is. It is also what employers look for immediately after you contact them. So when applying for a role, ensure you showcase your communication skills through your CV or cover letter.
Be clear and organized when writing the CV, and state all your qualifications and necessary personal details or achievements. Write about how you led projects or meetings in the employment history section.
For example, you can write that you led the ‘Wash Project” with three teams and over 20 employees. During your tenure, you accomplished my projects on time and ensured effective communication with team members using phone, video, and chats.
In the cover letter, you can show your written communication skills and state the current communication tools you know and how you can use them to improve the organization.
Be Honest
Honesty is a key virtue when applying for a remote job, as it minimizes the challenges you might face during the interview. When preparing your CV or cover letter, ensure you write true accomplishments that cannot result in contradicting statements.
Also, be honest about your feelings about the job and why the company is the best pick. For example, you can tell the interviewing panel how remote jobs make you more productive and successful and how virtual jobs are the future of most companies.
Prepare Everything in Advance
Another helpful trick that can enable you to apply for a remote job and succeed is planning and making your goals known during your interview. Show the potential employer that you can make it if they hire you by preparing for your home office. Set up your home office in advance so you have everything in shape by your interview date.
Also, plan on how to execute your new role and meet the company’s expectations within the shortest time possible. Having the right communication tools and strategies for the team is also essential. Show the willingness to collaborate with other team members and adopt the company’s culture.
Ask questions to know how to plan for the remote job. You can ask the company what others have done or suggest your plans to learn what to adopt and what to abandon.
Avoid Mentioning Your Personal Life During the Interview
During a remote job interview, all the interviewer is interested in knowing are your skills in relation to their job description. If you have been shortlisted for the interview, only prepare to describe why you are the best candidate.
Refrain from talking about the problems that the job can help you solve. For example, do not mention having young kids at home, which you want to keep an eye on, as the employer can see them as a distraction source. Mentioning your personal needs for working remotely might make the employer think you will be unproductive or work in a distracted environment.
Bottom Line
As job seekers seek the best remote employers, be ahead of the competition using the above strategies. Apply for a remote job and get hired by relaying your communication skills on your CV and cover letter. Research the remote company, know their culture, and, if possible, have networks within the organization.
Also, avoid mistakes like not including remote work skills on your resume and applying for several positions in the same company. Your location also matters when applying for a remote job, so avoid out-of-location jobs.
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