We’ve come to a time in life where remote work is the standard with COVID-19 being around, and this could well be a working process that some companies take up on a permanent basis. There are also a lot of roles that tend to be remote anyway (backend/front-end/full stack developer, sales business development).
With this in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to introduce some tips and things to keep in mind, when looking for the right remote job.
How much stability are you seeking?
If you’re looking to grow and develop within a company, then a full time role is exactly what you need. With this, a business will have to give you notice should they wish to end your employment (for whatever reason) and you will also be entitled to employee benefits like SSP and holiday pay. If however, you’re looking for more flexibility and a lot more freedom, then maybe contract or freelance work would be better for you. **Please bear in mind however, that this may mean that you don’t get typical employers rights, so be sure to read through your contract/agreement**
What kind of remote culture are you looking for?
As you probably already know, we’re all about workplace culture and values here at SwipSearch. And this should be of great importance to you as well when looking for your next remote role. Do you want to turn up at the office every now and again? Do you want a completely remote team? Or do you want a team that’s mainly in office with a few remote workers? All of these things make a big difference in your choice of remote work so choose carefully.
What kind of hours do you want to work?
you can look for companies that keep a traditional work routine. Or maybe you want something more flexible, where you can work pretty much whenever you want. Just as long as you get the work done! Remember some roles will require you to interact virtually with other team members so that kind of flexibility isn’t always available. Be sure to fully read and understand the job description, and if it doesn’t say, ASK!
What exactly are employers looking for in a remote worker?
You need to set yourself apart from the rest when it comes to remote work. You’ll be working on your own with not as much direction or as others in office, so you need to make sure that you have some of these REQUIRED qualifications:
Your self sufficient, self motivated and trustworthy: You MUST take accountability for all of your work, be proactive and self motivated. It can be easy sometimes to just sit in front of the telly and work with your laptop on your lap, but this is actually a job and your best bet is to have some discipline and sit somewhere, where you can work without distractions and fully commit to your role. We’ve written some tips on how to keep yourself motivated when working from home here. If you’re experienced in freelancing or running your own business, you’re already one step ahead of the game.
You’re an effective communicator: Communication is key when working remotely. You’ll communicate mainly through messaging programs such as Slack or Microsoft Teams and hold meetings on the likes of Zoom. You’ll also send a lot of emails and probably do a lot of reporting, so you must be comfortable with getting your point across clearly through written communication.
You fit the role and match their values: You MUST have a love for the product or service that the company is offering. Know the company you’re working for before applying. Look at their mission, their values and their promise to their customers. Do they match the vision and values that you have? Can you confidently contribute to their end goal?
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