21 Proven Strategies For Your Ideal Remote Work
Working from home (WFH), also referred to as remote work, not too far in the distant past was something most of us only dreamed about. Then Covid came and went and WFH is now the norm instead of the rarity. Today it seems more and more companies are seeing the benefits of sending their employees home. In this discussion, I will explore the advantages and drawbacks of remote work-from-home positions, as well as provide insights on locating such opportunities.
Benefits of Working From Home
First, let’s talk about the benefits of WFH. No commuting means less stress on your car, your wallet, and most importantly your sanity. No wardrobe requirements; less cost to keep up, no dry cleaning, less time shopping. Easy setup for the most part and most companies provide all you need.
Downside to Remote Work
While all these benefits seem great, there are some downsides as well. No coworkers (this can be a benefit or a downside depending on the person), lack of access to better and faster printers, electronics that do not normally come with staying at home, and less access to networking in the office.
If you think remote work is something you want to explore, just remember to weigh all the benefits and downsides before jumping in. Finding a remote work position can be a rewarding endeavor, but it may require some effort and flexibility.
Here are 21 suggestions to help you find a work-from-home position:
- Identify Your Skills and Interests: Start by assessing your skills and interests to determine the type of remote job that would be the best fit for you.
- Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile highlight your relevant skills and remote work experience. LinkedIn is just about the best place to place your resume for good exposure.
- Network: Connect with professionals in your industry on LinkedIn, attend virtual networking events, and join remote work-focused online communities.
- Online Job Boards: Check job search websites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, WeWorkRemotely, Upwork, and Letsworkremote for remote job listings.
- Company Websites: Many companies post remote job openings on their websites. Identify companies you’re interested in and regularly check their careers pages. You would be surprised at the number of online positions available from favorite brands so don’t forget to check them out as well.
- Freelancing Platforms: Consider using platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to offer your services on a freelance basis.
- Remote-Focused Job Search Engines: Utilize search engines like Remote OK, Remotive, and Stack Overflow Jobs (for tech roles) that specialize in remote job listings.
- Social Media: Follow companies and remote work job boards on LinkedIn and Facebook for job postings.
- Professional Organizations: Join relevant professional organizations or associations and look for remote job postings on their websites or newsletters.
- Remote Job Aggregators: Use websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn with advanced search filters to find remote job listings.
- Industry-Specific Job Boards: Some industries have specialized job boards where you can find remote job listings tailored to your field.
- Remote Internships: If you’re open to gaining remote work experience through internships, search for remote internship opportunities. Offer to work unpaid if you are able even if it’s a few hours a week, especially if you are a student and you have free time. It will not only show the company your personality and job skills but you are taking them for a test drive as well. Win-Win.
- Remote Job Fairs: Attend virtual job fairs and career events that focus on remote work opportunities. Flex Jobs is great about hosting these.
- Remote Job Alerts: Set up email alerts for specific job keywords and locations on job search websites to receive notifications when relevant positions are posted.
- Consult Remote Work Guides: Read guides and articles on remote work, like “Remote: Office Not Required” by Basecamp, to better understand the remote work landscape.
- Remote Skill Development: Enhance your remote work skills, such as time management, communication, and self-discipline, to make yourself a more attractive candidate.
- Customize Your Cover Letter: Tailor your cover letter to each job application, emphasizing your ability to excel in a remote work environment. Hire assistance on Fiverr or a resume writing platform if you can, the cost is not that much and you can use the cover letter more than once.
- Prepare for Remote Interviews: Be prepared for virtual interviews and ensure you have a quiet, well-lit space for video calls and no distractions.
- Consider Part-Time or Freelance Work: Starting with part-time or freelance remote work can be a good way to gain experience and build a remote work portfolio.
- Ask for Referrals: Reach out to your professional network and ask for referrals or recommendations from people who work remotely.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Finding the right remote job may take time. Stay persistent, and keep applying, and refining your job search approach.
Remember that remote work opportunities vary by industry and location, so it’s essential to adapt your job search strategy to your specific circumstances. Additionally, always be cautious of potential scams and thoroughly research companies before applying or accepting offers for remote positions.
Check out our related post here: Transform Your Workspace
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