Apr 18, 2023

How to Land a Remote Job in 2023

Remote jobs are relatively new to many, we took it upon ourselves to review everything you need to know about landing remote jobs in this in-depth guide. By sticking to it, you will land your dream job

What is Remote Work?

Also known as telecommuting or working from home, remote work refers to a work approach involving employees working outside conventional offices. Remote workers can work from anywhere in the world and are not mandated to show up at the organization in person. This is because the remote working style suggests that employees do not have to work from a particular location to accomplish their daily work goals.

For instance, rather than showing up to a specific working space or office, employees have the liberty to work from wherever they deem fit. With remote work, employees have the chance to organize their private and professional lives however they want.

Remote work can be part-time or full-time, depending on what is stated in the employment contract.

Over time, there has been a shift in the working styles in many organizations, as they have capitalized on remote work and enjoyed the autonomy that comes with it.

Forms of Remote Jobs

Remote jobs are often of different types; all remote roles do not have the same guidelines for employee working style. Here’s how they differ:

  • Forms of Remote Jobs by Number of Work Hours
  1. Part-time Remote Jobs

Part-time remote work allows professionals to make extra money using the free time in their schedules.

Part-time remote work may include any remote role that requires 20 or fewer hours per week.

  1. Full-time Remote Jobs

A full-time remote role allows employees to work full-time hours from anywhere rather than commute to the company’s office.

  • Forms of Remote Jobs by Location
  1. International Remote Jobs

International remote roles involve remote jobs that can be done anywhere in the world.

These remote jobs allow workers to travel and conveniently do other things while working.

  1. Country-Specific Remote Jobs

These are remote roles that can be done from anywhere in a particular country.

Organizations may require remote workers to be anywhere in a country due to availability for physical meetings and training, proximity to clients, professional licensing, or even tax and legal matters.

  1. City or State-Specific Remote Jobs

City or state-based remote roles require the employees to reside in a particular city or state.

Like country-specific remote jobs, the reasons for city or state-based remote roles may involve:

  • The need for employees to be near customers or potential customers
  • Location-specific tax and legal regulations
  • Location-specific professional licensing
  • Availability for physical meetings, employee training, and company events
  1. Time-Zone-Specific Remote Jobs

Time-zone-specific remote jobs are such that they will only hire remote workers who live in a specific time zone.

For instance, a remote role that only requires applicants living in GMT+1 will move forward with qualified applicants who live in GMT+1.

  1. Region-Specific Remote Jobs

Some remote roles specify that they prefer applicants from a specific region.

For instance, a remote-specific job listing can require applicants from South America, Southeast Asia, etc., and will, therefore, only give preference to applicants from such locations.

30+ Top Paying Remote Jobs in 2023

In no particular order, here are the top-paying remote roles in 2023 and their average annual salaries:

  1. Software engineer ($100,441)
  2. Web developer ($87,200)
  3. Web designer ($59,636)
  4. Business development manager ($116,291)
  5. Project manager ($115,000)
  6. Content writer ($60,735)
  7. Cloud architect ($117,337)
  8. Customer support specialist ($40,000)
  9. Cyber security analyst ($112,974)
  10. Virtual assistant ($58,057)
  11. Financial manager ($125,098)
  12. Video editor/animator ($63,043)
  13. Front-end developer ($77,926)
  14. SEO Expert ($58,737)
  15. Marketing director ($139,790)
  16. Graphics designer ($64,959)
  17. Voiceover artist ($81,052)
  18. Online language teacher ($80,121)
  19. Freelance writer ($66,935)
  20. Mobile app developer ($101,761)
  21. Social media influencer ($47,500)
  22. Psychologist ($91,866)
  23. UI/UX designer ($101,332)
  24. Content editor ($57,001)
  25. Data engineer/data scientist ($102,649)
  26. Information security analyst ($100,756)
  27. Machine learning engineer ($137,685)
  28. Product manager ($167,321)
  29. PR expert ($52,459)
  30. Data entry specialist ($41,397)
  31. Social media manager ($110,772)
  32. Copywriter ($66,623)
  33. Technical support manager ($127,739)
  34. Email content marketer ($56,819)
  35. Sound production engineer ($56,680)
  36. DevOps engineer ($103,760)
  37. Full stack developer ($111,593)
  38. Blockchain developer ($150,000)

40+ Highly Demanded Remote Jobs in 2023

Please remember that this list of in-demand remote jobs is not in any specific order.

       1.        Software engineer

       2.        Accountant

       3.        Ux writer

       4.        Data scientist

       5.        Information security

       6.        Marketing manager

       7.        UI/UX designer

       8.        Product manager

       9.        Java developer

       10.        Data engineer

       11.        Virtual assistant

       12.        Technical writer

       13.        Online language translator

       14.        Business development manager

       15.        Financial manager

       16.        Psychologist

       17.        Backend engineer

       18.        Front end engineer

       19.        Data entry specialist

       20.        Computer security expert

       21.        Content designer

       22.       Social media specialist

       23.        Graphics designer

       24.        Marketing manager

       25.        Project manager

       26.        Risk manager

       27.        SEO specialist

       28.        Content editor

       29.        Full stack developer

       30.        Blockchain engineer

       31.        Quality assurance analyst

       32.        Market research analyst

       33.        Community manager

       34.        Java software engineer

       35.        Artificial intelligence specialist

       36.        Robotics engineer

       37.        Cloud engineer

       38.        Cybersecurity specialist

       39.        Customer service representative

       40.        HR manager

       41.        Machine learning engineer

Top 5 In-Demand Skills in 2023

The dynamics of the modern-day workspace are changing drastically, and certain skills are more desirable to employers now than ever.

Here’s a list of the top in-demand tech skills in 2023:

  1. Web Design Skills

Web design involves the development and maintenance of a website interface and functionality.

Web design incorporates several areas:

  • Web Graphic Design

Creating imagery, fonts, and logos to communicate an idea on a website.

You can learn web design with these free online courses:

  • User Interface and User Experience Design

User interface designers develop the interface of digital products that includes visual elements the user interacts with on the app or website. User experience design involves using user-centered principles to develop the website.

Free online courses for UI/UX design:

  • User Experience Writing

A user experience writer writes web copy websites or digital products that enable users to navigate the product easily.

Where to learn UX Writing online for free:

  • Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization experts optimize websites to ensure they rank higher on search engines.

Free online SEO courses:

  1. Data Engineering Skills

Data engineers develop systems that help collect and store data for data analysis and data science.

Here are the top free online courses to build your data engineering knowledge:

  1. Product Management Skills

Product managers are involved in the complete life-cycle of the product. From planning to development to launch and eventually managing the product.

Here are the best free online courses to build product management skills:

  1. Social Media Management Skills

Brands and companies need to have an online presence in the present day, and the best way to do so is to hire a competent social media specialist or manager.

Social media managers or specialists are professionals entrusted with monitoring, implementing, and assessing social media marketing strategies.

Here are the best ways to gain social media management skills online for free:

  1. Content Management

Content Managers are involved in the entire process of deploying website posts and creating infographics and visual designs in collaboration with designers to sell or share information about products.

Best free online content management courses to develop your content management skills:

Top Skills You Need to Land Any Remote Job

The nature of a job places more relevance on some skills than others. This means that remote jobs require specific skills that may not be necessary for on-site jobs.

Job seekers often include job or career-relevant skills in their resumes and cover letters, but many remote job seekers do not remember that there are certain skills that you should have as a remote worker.

Here are 10 vital skills you need to land any remote job:

  1. Be Technology-Savvy

For the most part, remote workers use technological devices while working, so recruiters expect them to be technology-oriented.

A tech-savvy individual has adequate knowledge of technical concepts that help them operate modern technological

devices.

If you are tech-savvy, adding this to your resume will give you an added advantage.

Skills that make you tech-savvy:

  • Have an Understanding of Email Services

As a remote worker, you should master how to use email services appropriately.

You can start by checking out these email service providers Yahoo Mail, iCloud Mail, Gmail, Yandex Mail, GMX Mail, Zoho Mail, Mail.com, AOL Mail, Aweber, Outlook, ProtonMail, Hubspot, Constant Contact, Sendinblue, Titan Mail.

  • Be Proficient in Using Word Processors

You need word processing software in your day-to-day life as a remote worker to help you create, write, edit, and format text-based documents.

Popular word processors on the market today include Microsoft word, Google Docs, Word Perfect, iWork Pages, FocusWriter, OpenOffice Writer, WPS Word, Dropbox Paper, Polaris Docs, AbiWord, Zoho Docs Writer, LibreOffice Writer, and Scribus.

  • Use File Storage Tools

File storage tools, also known as cloud storage software, are remote virtual spaces where you can save, access, and retrieve saved files at will.

Best file storage tools on the market in 2023:

  • Master the Concept of Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet software will aid you in sorting, organizing, and calculating numerical data. Here are some popular spreadsheets you should get your hands on: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, Smartsheet, Apache OpenOffice Calc, Quip, Zoho Sheets, Seatable, and Stackby.

  • Familiarize Yourself with Wiki Software

Wiki software enables you to write, edit, format, and publish an online wiki collaboratively.

Top wiki software in 2022:

  • Be Social Media-Savvy

Social media sites allow you to network with other professionals in and outside your field.

You should get involved with network sites like Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp and learn how they work.

  • Learn to Use Grammar-Checker Tools

With grammar-checker tools, it is easier to phish out grammatical errors and wrong sentence structuring in your written text.

Here are some excellent grammar-checker tools to help polish your writing:

  • Learn to Use Password Manager Software

Password managers create excellent passwords for online accounts and alert you of likely data leaks.

Examples of password managers:

  • Get Your Hands on Presentation Software

As a remote worker, presentation software will help you create story-telling presentations to support your pitches or reports.

Here are presentation tools to help with creative presentations:

  • Understand How to Use Scheduling Software

Scheduling apps help you stay on top of your plans and schedule your activities with minimal effort.

The best scheduling apps in 2023:

  • Understand How Mind-Mapping Softwares Work

Mind mapping software helps you align your thoughts and develop fresh insights and solutions to tricky situations.

Here are the best mind-mapping tools to use in 2022:

  • Learn to Type Faster and More Efficiently

As a remote worker, most communication and work will be done via a computer, so you should be very conversant with typing on a computer. Touch-typing exercises will help you improve your typing skills.

  • Improve Your Video Conferencing Skills

Online communications tools are a cost-effective way for remote work teams to communicate. This is why every remote worker should be familiar with them.

The best communication tools in 2023 include Zoom, Slack, Google meet, Jiminny, GoToMeeting, Blue Jeans, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoho Meeting, RingCentral Video, and Chanty.

  • Gain Acquaintance with Note-Taking Software

Note-taking software will do you good when you have to write some important information to reference later.

Remote workers need note-taking tools because, frankly, there are always things to be written down; it could be your ideas or takeaways from a meeting.

Examples of excellent note-taking tools include Microsoft Onenote, Hivenote, Bear, Fellow, Evernote, Google Keep, Simplenote, Notion, Apple Notes, Hugo, Zoho Notebook, and Bit.ai.

  • Familiarity with Project Management Software

Remote workers need a working knowledge of project management software to collaborate and plan, coordinate, and execute team projects accordingly.

Best project management tools in 2023:

  1. Great Communication Skills

Good communication skills will impress any recruiter, but you know what’s even better? Great communication skills.

Great communication abilities as a remote job seeker tell the recruiter that you’re easy to work with and you’ll make a

This skill is non-negotiable because communication can be difficult with limited or non-existent face-to-face contact.

How to effectively communicate:

  • Actively listen to others
  • Give constructive feedback
  • Speak and act confidently
  • Be genuinely empathetic
  • Respond to emails and phone calls as fast as you can
  • Pay attention to body language and be cautious of your body language
  • Speak in a respectful tone and use appropriate words
  • Keep an open mind and communicate honestly
  1. Self-Motivation

Remote work may not seem as exciting in practice as it is in theory when you realize that you are responsible for getting your job done on time and correctly. But that’s where self-motivation comes in.

Because remote work requires little to no supervision, remote employees should be able to manage their time and organize their tasks to give utmost efficiency.

When you’re adequately self-motivated, you become a productive go-getter. You can complete your work tasks correctly, on time, and make corrections where necessary.

Self-motivation skills that will increase your productivity as a remote worker include:

  • Enthusiasm

For remote workers to truly achieve anything, they must have an appetite to do their work. Without a positive spirit towards work, remote workers will have difficulty reaching their work goals.

  • Resilience

Remote workers must be able to keep going when met with difficult situations.

Difficult work situations can be hard to deal with, especially when dealing with them alone. That’s why remote workers need to be resilient.

  • Initiative

The ability to take charge of situations, develop relevant ideas, and find solutions to problems are crucial competencies every remote worker should possess.

  • Time-Management

Remote workers who find it hard to utilize their time appropriately will have issues with their productivity.

  • Openness

This competence involves the readiness to learn new things relevant to your work and apply them.

  • Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is a skill that allows individuals to regulate their behavior in ways that are beneficial to them.

Self-discipline is a necessary skill for remote workers because they do not have any form of direct supervision that may have helped regulate their work ethic.

Here are some words you can use to describe self-motivation:

  • Farsighted
  • Dedicated
  • Assertive
  • Focused
  • Creative and idealistic
  • Capable
  • Innovative
  • Enthusiastic
  • Independent
  • Purposeful
  • Confident
  • Self-assured
  • Freethinking
  • Energetic
  • Committed
  • Resourceful
  • Determined
  • Imaginative
  • Adventurous
  • Bold
  • Self-reliant
  • Strong-willed
  1. Organizational Skills

Remote workers must stay on top of their responsibilities and execute their tasks correctly, and this can only be achieved with well-developed organizational skills.

A remote workforce with organizational competencies makes it easier for the manager or whoever is in charge to support and assess the work done.

Vital organizational skills for any job seeker:

  • Prioritization capacities
  • Strategic thinking and planning
  • Time-management skills
  • Avid goal-setting skills
  • Decision-making skills
  1. Confidence

Who is a remote worker without confidence? We’re not sure we have the right answer to that.  

However, we can say that remote workers who believe in their abilities, especially when they or the team are faced with difficulty, always make a great addition to any remote team.

  1. Project Management Skills

Project management skills are a set of skills that allow an individual to oversee projects effectively from beginning to end.

Project management skills allow remote workers confidently handle their work tasks and produce impressive results.

Types of project management skills:

  • Critical thinking
  • Planning
  • Risk management
  • Organizational skills
  • Healthy communication skills
  • Teamwork
  • Time management skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Delegation skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Social skills
  • Conflict management skills
  • Decision-making skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  1. Adaptability

With remote work, workers are introduced to new technologies all the time. Hence, it pays remote job seekers to have an open mindset and be flexible with the developments and specialized technological software.

  1. Leadership Competencies

Leadership capabilities are needed in remote workforces, particularly when times are tough.

When remote work teams face difficulty, remote workers can take the initiative to inspire the team and raise team spirit and, in turn, performance.

Well-cultivated leadership skills improve workers’ ability to build trusted relationships and take charge of situations that affect work goals.

  1. Team-Work

Even though this almost comes last on our list, it is inarguably necessary for remote work.

For a team working remotely, a positive team spirit and collaborative effort by every team member should be the norm.

  1. The Ability to Take Breaks

Yes, there’s so much to be done, and you have so little time, we know.

As fun or not-so-fun remote working can be, a crucial skill every remote worker should have is the ability to take breaks.

Remote working can easily introduce you to burnout because your work life and home life blend in with each other. This can make it hard to decipher when to rest as you want to finish your work on time.

Know when to give your body a rest; your body needs it more than you think. In fact, rest has been proven to increase productivity by a large margin.

Sometimes cut back on the work and kick back; your body will thank you.

Best Ways to Find Remote Work in 2023

The remote job market is fast becoming a competitive one. However, the good news is the more the remote job market grows, the more remote job listings there are.

Let us make your remote job search easier with this brief review of how to find remote work.

  • Search Remote Job Boards

Certain sites are dedicated to remote job listings.

For instance, flexjobs is a great website to begin your remote job search journey.

When searching remote job websites, always streamline your search to the role you want using the search feature.

Here are the best remote job boards for finding remote jobs in 2023:

  1. We Work Remotely

Having over 2.5 million visitors monthly, We Work Remotely is amongst the top remote job destinations.

We work remotely is a Canadian-founded remote job site that connects remote job employers to remote job seekers.

We work remotely is free for remote job seekers to use.

  1. FlexJobs

It would be an absolute offense to leave flexjobs out of the picture when discussing remote job sites.

Flexjobs was launched in 2007 and has since been a leading destination for remote jobs, be it part-time, full-time, or freelance remote jobs.

Unlike many of its counterparts, flexjobs is not free. You need to pay a membership fee.

Flexjobs has four subscription options to choose from; $9.95 per week, $20.95 monthly, $39.95 for three months, and $59.95 yearly.

  1. SolidGigs

If you enjoy the liberty that comes with freelance contract remote work, SolidGigs is the place for you.

SolidGigs has created a platform for contract-style remote jobs.

However, SolidGigs stands out from its competitors by sending job leads directly to email inboxes.

But of course, such a service only comes with a membership fee; $2 for the first month and $21 for subsequent months.

The membership fee comes with a resource bank filled with interviews, courses, tools, etc., to help you land remote roles, determine and negotiate your rates, sell yourself to clients or employers, and develop your brand.

  1. Dynamite Jobs

With over 100 remote job postings added weekly, dynamite jobs has proven to be a resourceful remote job board.

Dynamite jobs is a free service.

Remote job seekers can register for the Job Placement Program on dynamite jobs to get prompts on the latest jobs in their field and be connected to hiring organizations.

  1. Angel List

If the idea of working from the ground up with tech startup companies piques your interest, angel list is the perfect place for your job search.

Angel list features tech startups looking for remote workers.

On angel list, only the organizations you apply to will know you are available to work, and every job posting has a proposed salary in the salary header.

Angel list services are free for job seekers.

Other remote job boards include Remote.Co, JustRemote, Remotive, Skip the Drive, HubStaffTalent, Jobspresso, Toptal, Remote.ok, Workew, Lensa, Remote4Me, Outsourcely, Working Nomads, among others.

Along with remote job boards, you can also search general job boards for remote roles. This includes job boards like Glassdoor, CareerBuilder, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Monster, Talent.com, Snagajob, The Muse, Ladders, CareerBliss, Nexxt, Dice, Cleverism, ClearanceJobs, CollegeRecruiter (for students and recent graduates).

  • Search Linkedin

You may know this one already. Linkedin is a wonderful platform for finding remote jobs, and it is easy to use.

Here’s how to use Linkedin to find remote jobs:

  1. On the LinkedIn homepage, tap on the jobs icon
  1. Tap on the Search jobs search bar
  1. Type in job-relevant keywords or a company name and a location.

If you’re doing this on a computer, when you click on the location search bar, a dropdown menu will come up; click on Remote. You’ll be taken to the search results page to view remote job listings that match your preferences.  

  1. If you’re using the mobile LinkedIn app, you’ll see this when you tap on the Search jobs search bar.

After you have typed in the necessary information, you’ll be directed to this page.

Filter your search to remote jobs using the On-site/Remote option below the search bars.

Tap on the On-site/Remote option, choose Remote, and select Show Results.

If you’ll love to receive prompts on job listings related to that particular job search, toggle on the job search alert.

  1. Click on the job postings and view them in detail before applying for the ones that suit your preferences.
  • Take Advantage of Referrals and Networking

Anyone with a good eye for business and brand development will tell you that referrals are the best way to get a job or sell yourself.

Reach out to old friends, recent friends, old employers, and old co-workers and let them know you’re looking for remote roles.

Provide them with the necessary information, like the exact role you are looking for and your resume.

  • Leverage Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are multifunctional networking tools you can use to your advantage when searching for remote jobs.

Search for keywords relevant to the job you’re looking for on social media.

For instance, a quick search of ‘Remote Ux design role’ on Twitter or Facebook can do wonders for a Ux designer looking for a remote role.

  • Browse Slack Remote Job Channels

Slack has an ample number of remote job communities where tips on remote roles and remote job roles are often shared.

Two popular examples of a remote job community on slack are Work From Home and Remote Work.

  • Check Subreddit Pages

Home to about 330 million active monthly users, Reddit is a treasure hidden in plain sight.

Many recruiters may post job listings in subreddits for a specific audience depending on the type of role.

Some examples of subreddit pages where you can find remote jobs are Work From Home, Skip the Drive, and Work Online.

  • Explore Facebook Groups Dedicated to Remote Jobs

If you’re a sucker for information, Facebook groups are perhaps one of the best places to get information on social media.

You can find information on remote jobs on Facebook groups that post remote roles, like Remote Tech Jobs and Remote Jobs Europe.

To find more Facebook groups that post remote jobs regularly, search Facebook with the right keywords.

For instance, if you want a remote job group that posts jobs for remote content writing jobs, you can search for ‘Remote content writing’.

How to Land a Remote Job in 2023

Landing a remote job is getting harder as the market gets more competitive.

We’re going to let you in on some gossip. Many believe that getting remote jobs is more competitive than landing traditional jobs, and we agree.

Nevertheless, you can make the process easier for you with these six helpful tips:

  1. Do Some Self-Introspection

Choosing to go into remote work is a big leap in any career, and you’ll be well served if you think it through.

Before making any decisions, we suggest you look inward and answer the following questions:

  • Does remote work appeal to me?
  • Does remote work align with my lifestyle?
  • Am I a self-motivated individual?
  • Will I be able to focus adequately while working remotely?
  • Do I love this remote role?
  • Will I be productive with limited supervision?
  • Am I okay with consistent phone calls or video conferencing rather than in-person communication?
  • Do I know when I need to take a break from work?
  • Do I genuinely find working from home appealing?

If you respond with a yes to most of these questions, remote work might be your thing.

On the other hand, if your responses to most of the questions were negative, then you might like the idea of remote working and not the work itself.

Our ultimate suggestion? Take your time to deliberate on whether you want to take this step or not. You’ll have yourself to thank.

  1. Find the Best Remote Job for You

When you have deliberated your options and weighed the pros and cons of your choice, the next step is to find a remote role with your name written on it.

To get a remote job, you need to know where to find them. We outlined the best ways to find remote jobs above.

  1. Build a Strong Knowledge of What Employers Want

If you explored job listings using the point directly above, you would learn the field-specific requirements you need for the remote role of your choice.

However, all employers looking to hire remote talent have their eye out for certain things, and we’ve outlined them:

  • Employers Want Remote Workers Who are Passionate About the Job

Are you passionate about the remote roles you want to apply for? You should be because it matters to your potential employers and overall workflow.

If a remote role doesn’t excite you, you will find it hard to be productive, and employers know this.

This is why they look out for applicants who are passionate about the job; applicants who will go above and beyond to produce favorable results, even with limited interference from team members.

  • Employers Want Remote Workers They Can Trust and Depend on

Attaining organizational goals requires every team member to deliver quality work on time.

In remote work, it is easy for workers to mismanage their time and, consequently, tasks.

No employer wants to deal with the results of mismanaged work, so they look for job applicants they can trust to do the right things and produce quality work at the right time.  

Always be that trustworthy and dependable worker.

  • Employers Look Out for Specific Skills in Remote Workers

Apart from the field or career-relevant skills, there are skills every remote worker should have developed.

As a remote worker, you should:

  • Be technology-oriented
  • Communicate effectively
  • Be enthusiastic about your work
  • Be resilient
  • Always take the initiative and be creative
  • Be proficient in managing your time
  • Be open to new ideas and development
  • Be self-disciplined
  • Be organized
  • Be confident
  • Be proficient in popular project management tools like s
  • Be a strategic thinker
  • Possess leadership competencies
  • Be a team-worker
  • Be a goal-setter and goal-getter
  • Have developed social skills
  • Be able to manage conflict adequately
  • Know when to pause and rest
  • Employers Want Remote Workers Who Have Relevant Background

It is a no-brainer that employers want remote workers who know their way around.

It only makes sense that when hiring workers who would be working without direct supervision, you’re assured that they are experienced enough to handle any challenges.

This is why employers seek remote workers with relevant educational backgrounds, experience, and skills.

Build up on skills and education relevant to the role, and acquire relevant experience, as these will speak for you in your job application.

Needless to say, it is possible to land remote jobs without experience; we’ll explain how soon.

4. Tailor Your Resume

So you’ve stacked up on relevant skills and experience for the remote role of your choice. What’s next?  

You can have the most relevant skills and experience, but if your resume isn’t tailored to fit the role, you might miss out on career-changing remote jobs.

Here are tips that will help you tailor your resume for your remote job search:

  • Highlight Your Communication Skills

Effective communication skills are one of the most important things remote workers should have.

Your resume should highlight how good of a communicator you are. This includes avoiding inappropriate language, bad grammar, and typos in your resume.

  • Address Software You’re Proficient in

Remote teams use software to work and communicate swiftly.

So always point out software tools you are conversant with.

For instance, if you are familiar with Microsoft teams, Zoom, Slack, ClickUp, Trello, etc., add them to the skills section of your resume.

  • Add Relevant Work Experience, Skills, and Education

Many employers want to hire remote workers who are well-experienced, well-educated, and well-skilled. So, it will be useful to add relevant competence, education, and work experience to your resume.

  • Include Field-Relevant Keywords

You should include field-specific keywords in your resume when searching for remote jobs.

This is because your job application needs to be optimized to pass the ATS (Applicant Tracking System), a software program that collects and sorts resumes.

The best way to optimize your resume to pass the ATS is to read the job listing thoroughly and add necessary industry-related keywords to your resume.

For instance, if you’re applying for a customer service representative role, but your resume does not have the phrase, customer service representative, it may not pass the ATS for that job.

  • Include Relevant Innovations, Side Projects, or Your Portfolio

Any successful products or side projects you created and developed belong in your resume.

Include them in the experience section of the resume.

Additionally, if a relevant portfolio will benefit your job application, include the link to your resume.

By doing this, you are showing the employer you are creative, self-motivated, can take the initiative, and successfully execute ideas.

  • Quantify Statements

If you have quantifiable results from past relevant work experience, include them in the experience section of your resume.

For example, if, as a social media manager at your previous job, you used a unique strategy to triple social media engagement in one month, it’ll be crucial to add that to your resume.

5. Tailor Your Cover Letter to The Remote Job

Your cover letter is the best way to sell yourself to potential employers, and we can’t emphasize that enough.

As important as it is to tailor your resume to fit the remote you’re applying to, you should also give the same attention to your cover letter.

Here are our top tips to help you tailor your cover letter to remote roles:

  • Show that You Can Cater to the Company’s Needs

The first and most important tip for drafting the perfect cover letter for a remote role is to cater to the company’s outlined needs.

To do this, you need to read the job listing carefully and:

  • Identify the outlined skills and expertise in the job ad
  • Take note of the tools you need to have a working knowledge of
  • Self-reflect and note what you lack and what you have (Do your skills and expertise match that listed in the job ad?)
  • Make a Comprehensive List of Your Relevant Skills, Expertise, and Achievement

After you have noted what the organization requires, make a list of skills and expertise you have that meet their needs.

  • Draft Your Cover Letter

This is where you string your relevant experiences, expertise, and skills together to sell yourself.

Here are important tips to note when drafting your cover letter:
  • Make it concise and engaging
  • Be direct; avoid beating around the bush
  • Avoid heavy words; keep your vocabulary simple
  • Give relevant reasons why you will be perfect for the job
Steps to follow when drafting the body of a cover letter for a remote job:

On average, your cover letter should have between 3 and 5 paragraphs, each passing a different point. Here’s what we mean:

  1. Paragraph one: Opening Paragraph
  • How you got to know about the role
  • Mention the role you’re applying for
  • Show your enthusiasm for the role
  1. Paragraph two and three: Middle Paragraph
  • Show them that you have identified their needs and you have to right skillset to fill the void
  • Mention experiences and achievements relevant to the role
  • Give measurable achievements like how you may have increased sales by 50% in three months at a previous role
  • Mention tools and software you are proficient in that are needed for the role
  • Highlight your proficiency in remote skills (see remote skills above)
  1. Paragraph four: Closing Paragraph
  • Let them know you are grateful that they took time out to read your application
  • Let them know you are available to talk at their convenience
  • Mention that you’ll be looking forward to their response
  • Thank them

Here’s a short but well-written cover letter:

Kenneth Date

(212) 256-1414

kendate@gmail.com

10 May Street, New York. NY

Mr. Daniel Cox

10, Brown Ave.

Houston, TX, 37992

(217) 567-4293

danielcox@hr.qrmanagement

Dear Mr. Cox,

I’m thrilled to be writing to you to apply for the Social Media Manager position that QR Management advertised on Linkedin.

While reading the job ad, I was elated that my skill set and experience align with the company’s needs and requirements.

I have a broad three-year experience in community management and social media marketing.

Over the course of three years, I have developed strong SEO knowledge, social media analytics skills, social media marketing, brand management, communication skills, and customer support knowledge.

Additionally, my time as a community manager at B&A Music group was spent building a team of reliable digital marketers and a working strategy that I used to drive social media engagement up by 70% in less than 2 months.

I am ready to use my dedication, self-sufficiency, organizational skills, commitment, and willingness to achieve, to the benefit of QR Management.

Please feel free to reach out to me, I look forward to your response, and I’m willing to speak with you at your convenience. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Date

6. Apply for the Remote Jobs of Your Choice and Await Responses

You’ve searched for preferred remote roles, identified what employers want, and built relevant skills, experience, and education using this knowledge.

The next step is to turn in your applications and prepare for what will come after, be it an interview invitation, application rejection, or a disappointing silence.

7. Prepare for Interviews

You have made an impression on the recruiters, and they want to speak with you, so it’s time to prepare for your interviews.

How to prepare for remote job interviews:

  • Prep Yourself With Common Interview Questions

Do not attend any interviews without prepping yourself, be it physical or virtual interviews.

Always prep yourself with questions you might likely be asked at the interview.

Here are some questions you might be asked at your remote job interviews:

  • Have you done any remote work before?
  • What was it like working remotely?
  • What challenges did you encounter, and how did you handle them?
  • How would you score your tech skills on a scale of 1 to 10? What software are you familiar with?
  • Have you worked with a remote team before? Describe some of the challenges you met and how you dealt with them.
  • Narrate the most demanding task you’ve created and developed.
  • How productive are you in a remote workspace?
  • Tell me about a time you took a chance at something and failed. What did you learn from that experience?
  • Why do you want to work from home?
  • How well do you communicate with a remote work team?
  • How do you kick back from work when you work remotely?
  • Research the Company

You should always research companies that have invited you for interviews.

Many recruiters like to ask questions about their companies.

This will let them know if you are organized and intuitive enough to have done your research.

  • Pick a Suitable Spot

When preparing for remote interviews, you must consider your environment.

It would be best if you:

  • Stay somewhere free of distractions
  • Make sure your environment is adequately lit up
  • Ensure that your background isn’t distracting to the recruiter (for video interviews)
  • Arrange your background and ensure that it is tidy because you want to show how organized you are
  • Put up a Home Office or Professional Looking Setting

At remote job interviews, you should strive to portray yourself as the professional you are, and that includes having a dedicated workspace.  

Interviewing in this workspace will show the recruiters that you are a dedicated professional and not easily distracted. It gives the impression that you are self-disciplined.

  • Ensure Your Webcam and Camera are Quality and Work Adequately

It would be embarrassing to show up at your interview with a lousy microphone or webcam.

No recruiter would be impressed with a candidate they can’t see or hear clearly, which can interfere with your chances at the job.

Try to avoid this occurring by using quality microphones and webcams.

Sometimes mishaps happen even when you use quality equipment; we understand.

We encourage testing your camera, webcam, and internet to ensure they work well.

  • Make Sure You’re Looking at the Appropriate Spot

During your interview, you should look at the webcam and not anywhere else, as that isn’t a great look for you.

If your device has an in-built webcam, find out where it is and test it (often at the top middle area of your device screen).

Additionally, make sure the webcam is at your eye level because you have to be looking right at it during the interview.

Find a way to station your phone or laptop so it stays at your eye level.

  • Dress Appropriately

For video interviews, you should look the part by dressing well. It creates a good first impression on the recruiters and gives you a positive mindset toward the process.

If the interview is a phone interview, you do not have to dress appropriately. However, we recommend that you do this to boost your morale.

  • Be Sure Your Devices are Charged Fully

You never know how long the interview will be, so it is best to charge the device/devices you’ll be using.

If not, connect the devices to power while using them.

Have backup batteries if you can afford to. Better to be safe than sorry in case the interview is lengthy.

How to ace remote job interviews:

  • Be Ready Before the Interview Starts

Before the interview begins, you can join the 10-14 meeting minutes early.

These minutes will help you settle in, test your equipment, and relax before the interview.

  • Be Confident

No matter the question thrown at you, try to stay calm, speak clearly, and give confident responses.

  • Look Directly at the Webcam

When you’re looking directly at the webcam, it looks like you’re looking right at them on their end. This is what you should aim for.

If your webcam is inbuilt and you are having trouble identifying it from afar, place a paper tape or sticky note below the webcam and stare at it throughout the interview.

  • Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Even though you are being interviewed, it pays to ask relevant questions.

You get knowledge of things you might otherwise not know about if you don’t ask. So, don’t hold back on your questions, as long as they are relevant.

Asking questions at your interviews demonstrates intuitiveness, expressiveness, communication ability, openness, and willingness to learn new things.

For what it’s worth, you can write your questions on a notepad before the interviews.

How to Land a Remote Job With No Experience

It can be discouraging having to compete for remote jobs with professionals who have racked up valuable experience when you have none. But trust us when we say there’s a way out!

Here are tips on how to land a remote job with no experience:

  1. Determine What You Lack and What You Have

Don’t be intimidated and discouraged if you lack some of the required skills or background for a remote role.

What you should do is self-reflect on your overall work experience and skills.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What skills do I have?
  • What skills do I lack?
  • Are my skills relevant to the job?
  • Have I picked up relevant skills from another unrelated job?
  • Can the skills needed for this role be easily developed and learned?
  1. Always Use Numbers

If you have measurable achievements relevant to the role, you can point them out in your resume and interview.

These stats can make up for your lack of other things.

It is especially important to do this and also explain that you are working on acquiring the needed skills. It shows you are willing to learn and improve.

For instance, a statement like “I assembled and spearheaded a 20-member team to boost B2C sales by 55% in the second half of 2021” is a good example of using numbers to sell yourself.

  1. Familiarize With Remote Working Tools

As a remote worker, most of your work and interaction will be through communication and project management software; it is important to have a working knowledge of them.

You don’t need to be a tech wiz or anything. You only need to know how to use them.

Get familiar with remote project management tools like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, nTask, etc.

Some popular examples of communication tools you should know how to use are Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Slack, etc.

Also, you do not have to use them all; you just need to know how they work.

  1. Develop the Skills You Lack but Need

When you look at the job listings for your preferred role, you will notice a repeated pattern of skills.

You should focus on the repeatedly mentioned skillset and work on developing them.  

You may not have fully acquired or developed this skill before your job interview, but letting the recruiter know you have taken steps to learn speaks well of your character. It shows you’re a goal-setter and goal-getter.

  1. Always Bring Your Most Endearing Skills and Achievements Forward

Use the information you got from the process in the first tip to your advantage.

Identify the most appealing of your skills and achievements that are relevant to the role and make reference to them in detail, describing how it relates to the position.

Conclusion

Landing the right remote job is not based on good luck but on strategy, which is the gospel this article sought to preach.

From figuring out the right remote job for you to finding the jobs and preparing for the interviews, you need to be strategic.

By sticking to our in-depth guide to landing remote jobs, you’ll create your dream remote career.

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