In 2021, global employers made a major announcement that remote work will form a large part of their organisations’ workforce. This is exciting news for many job-hunters as local job markets, disabilities, inaccessibility, and geographical locations are no longer job-related limitations to work. The challenge for you as a remote job seeker now (especially if you are a remote job rookie who has never worked remotely) is to work on certain attributes and brush up on specific skills, to position yourself as an ideal candidate for that remote position you have set your sights on. Remember that working remotely is far different from working in a physical office. However, do not be discouraged as the required skillset and right traits to land a remote job in 2022 are very much achievable – they are a matter of relearning, fine-tuning, and crossing over.  

“Nearly 41 million American workers will work remotely in the next 5 years,” recent reports suggest.

41 million remote workers. Let the number sink in. And it’s just the US! Globally, the number is larger, but it accommodates growth. Wherever you are on the planet, you can contribute to this growth. It doesn’t matter if you just want to try working remotely or are seriously committed to shifting to remote work, 2022 is the year to do it. 

Remote work is not a one-size-fits-all. It’s diverse and differs from one organisation to another. 

As you endeavour your remote job search, you should also do some introspection and research. We suggest that you: 

1. Ensure that potential employers supports work-life balance, flexible work arrangements, disability inclusion, diversity and social impact – whichever you are looking for. 
2. Get to know the company, especially its remote work best practices and its transparency about telework policies. One of the pioneers of remote work is Genashtim,  a remote company that doesn’t have a physical office and has been operating on the cloud for almost 14 years. 
3. Avoid scams – search for remote jobs on reputable job portals like JEDI Jobs, an exclusive online remote jobs portal. 

As a remote job applicant, how can you stand out in front of hirers? 

Demonstrating your unique value that will make your hiring manager sit up straight and pay attention to your credentials is important. Remember, the first impression matters.  

You definitely need to do some work to attain such a response from your potential employers. Start by doing the following: 

• Tailor your resume to blow your hirer away. 

A powerful resume that lists all your remote work competencies and experiences is critical. This is especially imperative if you found your ideal remote opportunity, with your CV submission pending. If the HR uses Applicant Tracking System (ATS), you get more time to tweak your resume so use that time wisely!

• Highlight any remote skill and experience that you think will be a gamechanger in both your resume and cover letter. 

If you have worked with co-workers from other countries and different time zones, include that experience in your resume. Don’t forget to include the technology you have used to telework and your remote project collaboration if any. 

• Identify the skills and traits that you can crossover to remote working and exemplify them. 

Skills such as critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills that you applied at your physical office can be carried forward to telework stint. Self-motivation, the ability to work independently, and trustworthiness are some of the traits that benefit you when working remotely. Remember to highlight achievements in these areas and position your unique value for that remote job. 

• Prepare for a virtual interview. 

Use the virtual interview to the fullest – don’t hold back from showing your technical capabilities and your communication flair. Prepare your home office and show it off to the interviewer. Go all out! 

We hope that we have given you a head-start about what to expect and how to launch your remote career this year. JEDI Jobs promises remote opportunities for remote job seekers like you. Follow JEDI Jobs on social media and JEDI Jobs blog for more tips, updates, insights, and anecdotes about the remote work realm. This is the year for you to enjoy the benefits of remote work that millions of people are already enjoying. What are you waiting for? Register as a job seeker with JEDI Jobs today!