How to Land a Remote Job: Tips and Tricks to Speed Up the Process
Remote work is here to stay. It has been defying the odds on how flexibly you can work. It has also shown that talent is everywhere, and you don’t need to commute to produce at your best level. In fact, remote work has opened a door for disabled people, who can now work from wherever they are. And that’s exciting to witness.
The growth of virtual work environments and technological disruption have created more and more opportunities. This means you don’t have to relocate. You don’t need to switch countries to land your dream job. You don’t need to spend hours in traffic to work in front of a computer (that you have at home).
In a world of increasing remote opportunities, it can get tough to know the step by step on what to do – and how to apply. If you’re a first-timer, let’s start by answering some questions you may have – and then break down the application process to make your remote job search easier.
Transitioning to a Remote Model: The Most Common Doubts
If you plan on changing the way you work for good, you’re in the right place – as questions may arise at this time. The good news is: it’s ok. You’re not the only one feeling lost, so we gathered some of the most common doubts about transitioning to remote work.
How to Transition to a Remote Position
Transitioning into a remote position needs a bit more strategy.
Becoming a successful remote worker involves adapting to a different work paradigm. So, it’s best to anticipate yourself and get comfortable with virtual communication tools, time management techniques, and effective remote collaboration. It’ll seem confusing in the beginning, but it gets better.
However, you need a lot of self-assessment.
Understand your strongest skills and where you lack some knowledge. Tailoring your aptitudes to match remote roles is crucial. Plus, leveraging online job platforms specialized in remote opportunities can increase your chances of landing a remote position. We’ll cover that later in the article.
How’s the Application Process? Is it Similar to Traditional Roles?
Very similar.
When applying for a remote job, your application materials must showcase who you are and your skills. The more specific they are, the better. This means you shouldn’t rely on a one-size-fits-all resume or cover letter model.
The key to a successful application is tailoring it to highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements – if related to remote work, the better. You must know how to work for a remote company in advance. This places you one step ahead of everyone.
How Can I Set Myself Apart?
When a remote job opens, thousands apply. So it’s normal that you want to differentiate yourself.
The competition is fierce, so you can consider upskilling, accumulating experience on a freelance basis, and networking within remote work communities. And that’s how you begin your path.
Can I Work Remotely Without Experience?
Well… you need to begin somewhere, right?
We know how you feel, but contrary to common misconceptions, you can start a remote career without prior experience. Consider building a solid online presence and creating a portfolio showcasing your skills and capabilities.
You can also offer your services in the beginning (of course, you won’t work for free forever). That’s how you start gaining remote work experience to boost your resume.
Is it Stressful to Work Remotely?
While remote work has a lot of benefits, there are many consequences you haven’t thought of. So yes, it can get stressful if you don’t manage it wisely.
Creating a routine, choosing a dedicated workspace, and maintaining regular communication with your team can help you minimize that feeling. That way, you’re more than ready to start applying for a remote job.
Step by Step: How to Apply for a Remote Job
The process isn’t so different from traditional jobs.
However, you need to be extra attentive. Before applying, understand what you want, and value most, plus how the overall communication and day-to-day work. That said, you mustn’t apply to every opening you see online.
Let’s see how it goes.
Step 1: Update and Optimize your Resume
First things first: don’t use a standard template.
How you tailor your resume to each position says it all. You show immediate interest in the company and the job itself. The more specific you are, the better.
Include this information:
Be clear: Include essential information such as your name, contacts, academic background and past experience;
Specify what you’re looking for: A fully remote job, or are you open to a hybrid one? Both? Understand the difference between remote-first and remote-friendly companies before making a decision;
Have you worked remotely before? If so, include that information. Say what you did and to which companies and highlight your highs and lows (yes, everyone has them, so it’s essential to acknowledge those straight away);
The skills you master: Especially the ones related to remote work, like the tools you know how to use – Zoom, Slack, Notion, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and so on. You should also mention important soft skills, like time management or the ability to meet deadlines.
If asked (it’s not always mandatory), tailor your cover letter too. Say who you are, what you’ve been working on, and why you want to apply to that company.
Then, it’s time to organize your work.
Step 2: Organize your Portfolio
Or create one from scratch (yes, you can do it in every area).
You must find a place to gather everything you did until the moment you apply. Companies are usually more interested in your experience than your academic background (trust us on this).
So, find a tool that’s easy to use – even Google Drive does the job – and organize your experience. No, you don’t have to be a pro designer or create a super fancy website to showcase your work. Start small but efficiently, as long as you start.
Then, it’s time to put it all out there.
Step 3: Learn Where to Apply
There are loads of job boards online today. You have the traditional ones and the remote-specific ones. So, you should decide which deserves your attention.
Traditional job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter may be helpful in the beginning – don’t forget about filtering for remote or hybrid results only.
Then, you should put extra effort into exploring remote-specific job boards. Here’s a list that may help you start:
Ensure all the information you need is clearly stated in each job opening. It’s important to know upfront details like everyday tasks, salary range, and the application phases.
Secret Tip: send emails or DMs on LinkedIn to recruiters or HRs – even if a company hasn’t posted any job. Show who you are, your interest in working for them, and why you’d be a good fit. That automatically differentiates you from everyone else. It shows proactivity.
Step 4: Prepare for the Interview
Learn everything you need about the company (or companies) you applied to.
That shows you care. It shows interest. It shows you’re committed to delivering your best work since day one – recruiters value that. Also, prepare for these possible questions:
Do you have previous experience working remotely?
Why do you want to work remotely?
What’s your favorite or least favorite job? What happened?
How would you minimize distractions when working remotely?
Why do you want to work for our company?
How do you stay motivated throughout the day?
What does your ideal day look like? What are your hobbies?
How do you like to work? Do you need a lot of direction?
Have you been involved in a project from scratch? Guide us through the process.
Are you comfortable with not being around people all the time?
Preparing for questions like these can put you one step ahead of other applicants. Consider them and test out different tools (like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet) so you can prepare in advance for what the interviewer will use.
Step 5: Be Patient
Some recruitment processes take forever, while others are super fast. It all depends on the company. Once they reach out, ensure you share your interview availability and are as prepared as possible. And don’t forget to be you. Show your personality without fear – at the end of the day, that will make you earn extra points.
Mastering the remote job application process involves understanding the nuances of virtual work, tailoring your application materials accordingly, and demonstrating you’re the best fit. Following these steps and tips increases your chances of securing a remote position. Follow us on LinkedIn for more tips on remote work.
