Thanks to the pandemic, many people were able to get a taste of the thrill of working at home. There is a large group of employees who loved this so much that they decided to stay remote permanently and gave their employers an ultimatum: make the position remote or the employee will walk and find another job that will.
However, not everyone can afford to do this. Either they do not have the savings to live off of while they job search, or their current job is just not able to be done remotely.
We talked to F.H. Cann & Associates, a successful customer care company, and asked them what they recommend employees do to obtain their perfect remote position.
Learn a Remote Skill
This might be a little obvious, but it’s important. F.H. Cann & Associates points out that many people already have remote skills but do not realize it. Many companies are hiring translators, transcriptionists, and blog writers.
So just being able to type, or speak multiple languages could already get you through the door. Of course, there are also more technical skills such as coding that could land you a higher-paying entry position from home. It’s important to weigh your options and figure out what you’re willing to learn and what you can already do.
Job Search Online and in Person
There are plenty of places online to find remote work. F.H. Cann and Associates mentioned Upwork, and LinkedIn as two places to start your search.
These are places many freelancers find their first online gigs. We did our own research and found Tellus International, Appen, Ratracerebillion, and a few Reddit forums that have plenty of opportunities available.
F.H. Cann also recommends asking in-person jobs if the position could be done remotely. Going this route may require that you show up for training in person then transition to a work-from-home employee.
Build your Portfolio and Work your Way Up
Just about every job will require that you start from the bottom and work your way up and this goes double for remote positions. This is due to the competitive nature of working from home. So many people want the convenience of a remote job, that companies now have an ample amount of applications to sift through.
If you do not already have a great resume or portfolio, then it’s likely you will have to accept a very low-paying position initially in order to get your foot through the door. It’s vital to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of, but this is the reality of getting a remote position with little to no experience.
Market Yourself
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you are an artist or creative of some kind, then build your portfolio. Create things on your own time that you can show off to potential employers later.
Don’t forget that doing the work is only half of the battle. Next, you have to post this work in the correct outlets (Reddit, Facebook, etc), and grab the eyes and attention of the people that may want to hire you.
F.H. Cann actually pointed out that marketing may be a more important skill for remote workers and freelancers than their actual job skills. A resume can make or break an interview, and this rings especially true for remote work.
Related Reading:
The Experts From F.H. Cann & Associates Share How To Become A Remote Employee And Work From Anywhere
