Are you ready to ditch the daily commute and break free from your office work? It's time to embrace the world of remote work! No more rushed mornings, traffic jams, or awkward small talk with coworkers. With remote work, you have the freedom to create your own schedule and work from anywhere in the world. But before you jump headfirst into your job search, it's important to ask yourself a few questions and understand what type of remote work suits you best. Get ready to discover your dream remote job and start living the life you've always wanted!
Before you jump into the deep end, it's important to make sure you're not just daydreaming about lounging in your pajamas all day. Ask yourself: are you self-motivated enough to handle working independently without a boss breathing down your neck? Can you communicate effectively with your team members without the convenience of swinging by their desks for a chat? And do you know your way around the latest tech tools?
Assuming you answered with an enthusiastic "heck yeah," it's time to get your remote job search underway! Don't listen to the naysayers who claim that remote jobs are hard to come by - there are tons of opportunities out there, you just have to know where to look. Forget sifting through traditional job postings and head straight to sites offering remote work, which we'll mention later.
But hold on a sec - before you start filling out applications, you need to figure out what kind of remote work you want. Are you cool with being fully remote, or do you prefer a hybrid model? According to Buffer's 2022 State of Remote Work Report, only 49% of remote workers are completely remote, so make sure you know what you're signing up for.
It’s important to remember that not all remote jobs are created equal, and understanding the degree to which a company works remotely is key to making an informed decision.
As a remote worker, you'll need to be familiar with popular remote work technologies and applications. These tools can be broken down into three broad categories: communication, project management, and cloud storage/digital asset management.
Communication tools are essential for remote teams, and you'll likely need to know how to use platforms such as Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. These tools allow you to communicate with your team members in real-time, no matter where they are located.
Project management tools such as Asana, Monday, Trello, or Basecamp help you keep track of tasks and deadlines, assign work to team members, and collaborate on projects.
Cloud storage and digital asset management tools such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Playbook, or Microsoft OneDrive allow you to access files and resources from anywhere and share them with team members.
It's important to have a good understanding of these tools and how they work to improve your efficiency and avoid any unnecessary friction. Many free courses are available to help you improve your knowledge and use of remote work technologies.
In addition to honing your technical skills, it's also essential to work on your soft skills, such as communication and collaboration. You'll need to adapt your communication style and presentation to the requirements of remote jobs, including learning how to communicate well over text, appear approachable and professional in video conferencing meetings, collaborate effectively with colleagues you may never meet in person, and follow policies and standard procedures to prevent miscommunication.
When applying for remote jobs, it's also important to be prepared for the remote hiring process, which may involve online applications and interviews conducted through video or audio-only calls, or even non-live interviews using asynchronous communication tools like video or email.
To ensure that you stand out as a remote job applicant, it's crucial that you tailor your application materials to the nature of the position you're applying for. This means highlighting your specific skills and any previous remote work experience you have, as well as showcasing any measurable impact you've had on previous companies.
Now that you've got all the insider knowledge, it's time to get out there and start living the remote work dream! And remember, work hard, play hard - especially when your office is wherever you want it to be.
Check out these job boards specifically for remote work on Linkedin
FlexJobs
Nodesk
Otta.com
Pangian
Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent)
Workable
Workew
