One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has taught many of us in the professional world is that many jobs are possible to do remotely. Though the pre-pandemic norm for many jobs across different industries was to work in-person in an office everyday, two years into the pandemic we’re seeing many of the same jobs being done efficiently, from home.
Of course, not all jobs are doable from home, but with the right computer, monitor and internet system, the majority of office jobs are. If you’re actively looking to enter the workforce and know that you would work better from home, we have some tips on how to find a remote career.
How to Become a Remote Worker: Step by Step
Step 1: Determine that Working Remotely Is Possible
Because we’re seeing so many companies become open to working remotely, the job market is in your favor. If you’re wanting to work remotely, you can now look for jobs headquartered virtually anywhere, since “commuting” takes all but a few clicks. All you need to be sure of is that you’re in an industry where working remotely is possible. For instance, a health care worker would not most likely not be a career that could be done from home. An accountant however, could, in theory, get their job done right from their home office.
Step 2: Set Up Your Home Workspace
Now that you know for sure that you’re interested in working from home, ensure that you have the ideal home workspace set up. Think about the settings in which you’re most productive. Not everyone has space in their home for a dedicated home office. But you still want to find a spot in your home away from distractions. This might look like a desk in your bedroom, a designated nook in your kitchen, etc. As long as it’s somewhere you can focus and where outside noises and distractions won’t interrupt meetings and your work.
While you’re setting up this space, also make sure of things like your internet connectivity. Is it fast enough that you won’t spend time waiting for things to load? Can other internet devices in your home interfere with your connection? When working from home it’s incredibly important to have good internet access.
Step 3: Use Job Filters
One of the best ways to find remote jobs is to get familiar with job board websites. Job search filters are a huge timesaver when you’re interested in how to find a remote career. When looking at job listings, go to the filter settings and you’ll be able to filter your results so that only remote jobs, or jobs that will consider remote hires, will show up.
Apply here for both remote and in-person roles that meet your qualifications.
Step 4: The Interview
If you’ve now made it to the interview process with some potential remote jobs, make it clear in your conversations how you can add value to the team, while working remotely. The best way to find a remote job is to show the hiring manager or interviewer that you know what you’re doing. This is where you want to “sell your skills.”
If you have experience working remotely in a previous role, highlight what went well. This could look like things such as mastering time management, not getting distracted by being at home, etc. Shine the best light on your previous experience so that the hiring manager feels confident that you’d be a good fit.
If you don’t have previous experience working remotely, don’t get discouraged. You can still shine the best light on applicable experience from previous in-person jobs. This might be highlighting communication and collaboration skills, or managing multiple tasks at once.
Just like any other job interview, acting confident, knowledgeable and capable can get you far when you’re looking for the best way to find a remote job.
Want More Tips on How To Become a Remote Worker?
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