Working Remotely

June 17, 2020

Working Remotely

By Nada Alnuzha

With the unprecedented global spread of the Coronavirus, uncertainty has permeated our lives, and this uncertainty has become the main catalyst behind many of the changes that have occurred in the corporate world, including the shift to remote working. The recent emphasis on remote working resulted in the increased demand for remote workers to carry out the jobs efficiently without the need to be physically present in the office. According to a 2020 report by Gartner on the short and long-term actions taken by Chief Executive Officers, remote working is likely to become a mainstream approach for companies, as 74% of companies within the study permanently plan to shift to more remote work after COVID-19 ceases.

With that being said, searching for local remote-work opportunities or searching to become a part of a more internationally dispersed network of employees may be the best plan to pursue if you are seeking a job opportunity. Naturally, searching for remote jobs means that you are one contender amongst a large talent pool, and demands certain requirements to be implemented on your part to ensure that you are recognised as a top qualifier for the job you apply for.

Becoming a remote worker requires numerous prerequisites to help you reach a level of trust and transparency with the employer, particularly in a time when conventional face-to-face interactions are being replaced with virtual communication platforms. Becoming a remote employee means cultivating certain skills to increase your prospect of securing the job. Although searching for a remote job offers you a lot more opportunities than applying for an office job, it also means a higher amount of competition as companies search for the most qualified applicant to fit the job requirements. Below we have listed a few helpful skills to cultivate should you wish to begin the process of searching for remote job opportunities.

Time Management

Time management is one of the top skills to develop and/or improve if you are looking to become a remote worker. With the shift from standard working hours in the office to working from home, time management should not be compromised. Differentiation between work time and leisure time should be a top priority that is always done with a sense of responsibility.

Proactive Approach to work

With more flexibility comes more responsibility on your part to become more proactive instead of reactive to the tasks you are carrying out. The change from a workplace environment to a home environment will certainly cause a change in the method of communication between members of the company. Instead of relying on responses, be a self-starter and take matters into your own hands when it comes to making strategic and appropriate decisions.

Meet Deadlines

Most, if not all, companies do not tolerate delayed work, and in order to demonstrate your capabilities in becoming a remote worker your work needs to be produced on time.

Initiate objective-drive actions

Whatever the company’s objectives may be, ensure that every action taken by you should be committed to reaching the company’s objectives. Whether it is a customer-focused action or an action taken towards financial growth, accomplishing tasks while being mindful of the greater corporate objective will serve you in the remote work job.

Time Zones

As you venture into the remote work experience, you may either choose to apply for remote jobs within your area, or choose instead to expand your options and apply for globally remote jobs. In this case, it is important to take the matter of time difference into consideration. With the varying global time zones, ensure the company you are applying for either allows flexibility in work hours and if the working hours suit your lifestyle. Plan out your working sessions as to avoid any discrepancies in the work time between you and other members of the company. A clear and efficient communication line should be maintained at all times, especially if the type of work relies heavily on online meetings.

Tailor your resume/cover letter to fit the job

Ensure that your experiences and skill set in your resume fit the job description. When applying for a remote position, become familiar with the type of work that is expected of you, and customise your resume accordingly. With that being said, avoid falsely listing any information about yourself that does not correspond with the set of skills you have. By tailoring your resume, you are using similar keywords specified in the job description, and subtly promoting your credentials.

If you intend to embark on the journey of finding jobs remotely, below is a list of some of the top sites designed to assist you in searching for flexible and remote jobs. Good luck!

1) Teleworks.sm