Not Everyone Has Them – Do You?
Working from home is here to stay for those with remote work skills. As companies shifted their employees from traditional work environments to their homes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some incredible benefits have surfaced from being able to work remotely:
- Increased job satisfaction
- Improved productivity
- Greater mental and physical wellbeing
- Improved work/life balance
- No commute – reduced carbon footprint and saved time
However, not all these benefits have been experienced by all. Not everybody is cut out for working from home. Most of these benefits can only be achieved with the right remote work skills. Consequently, employers are learning that they must search for candidates for remote jobs with a specific combination of remote work skills.
If you possess the following skillset, you could be the ideal candidate for a rewarding remote role.
#1: Time Management
The ability to manage your time is probably one of the most crucial organizational skills in remote working. You don’t have the structure of an office environment, or management occasionally walking past your desk to see how you’re doing.
Equally, you don’t have anyone inviting you for a coffee break. Managing your day to maximize your productivity and your recuperation is easier said than done. Master time management, and you’ll be able to maximize your productivity when working remotely.
#2: Focus
Working from home, you’ll likely be surrounded by very different, more personal distractions than those in the office. Even if you live alone, without children, or pets, or other residents, you’ll still experience tempting distractions you wouldn’t in an office, such as:
- Personal deliveries
- Grocery delivery slots
- Chores
- Television
- Home noises (such as the washing machine, or road work outside)
Despite taking measures to eliminate these, some people still find it difficult to mentally switch off from personal worries. Can you stay focused and in work mode without fellow colleagues around?
#3: Critical Thinking
For employers to consider you, demonstrate that you are a problem solver. There may be times when you need the support of management or supervision or even a colleague, but it’s unavailable at that moment.
You’ll need to be able to calmly analyze your options and confidently make decisions to take effective action.
#4: Technical Ability/Adaptability
Throughout this pandemic, technology has been our savior in keeping the world connected.
But, as we all know, it can go wrong. Your experience with technology should serve you well, but you are unlikely to have a deep knowledge of each tool you may need to use. Show that you can adapt to different tech easily, and use your knowledge to solve issues that you may have – including rapid evolution of remote working technologies.
#5: Self-Motivation
You’ll need to demonstrate that when you get up in the morning and sit at your home desk, or kitchen table, you’re in work mode. Employers will be looking for candidates who:
- Don’t need constant motivation and direction
- Can keep to the deadlines
- Can set goals, and achieve them
- Are professionally camera ready when necessary
#6: Strong Communication Skills
Communicating is more important than ever for teams of individuals working remotely. Employers will be looking for those who have strong written and verbal communication skills, and will often test these throughout the hiring process:
- Make sure your resume comes across strong, concise, and grammatically perfect
- Be prepared for a virtual interview, where they will test your ability to communicate well on screen
- Always follow up after any communication in the recruitment process, to demonstrate your communication skills and ability to reach out
Employers need you to have these skills to ensure all their employees are communicating and collaborating effectively, no matter where from.
#7: A Team Player
There are many people – particularly self-employed freelancers – who opted for the work-from-home life long before the pandemic forced it on society at breakneck speed during 2020. However, even though you are working from home with a good deal of autonomy, employers need team players on board.
Employers seek candidates who:
- Thrive on team spirit
- Aren’t solely focused on their own achievements
- Make contributions in team meetings
- Support their colleagues as teammates
- Participate in the occasional ‘out-of-work’ virtual team-boosting activities
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for people to connect, especially in business.
Summing Up
Remote work skills go hand-in-hand: time management, focus, critical thinking, technical ability, self-motivation, strong communication, and being a part of the team… they all connect the dots to a successful and rewarding work/life balance working from home.
It’s not for everyone. Is it for you? Do you have what it takes to make an employer sit up and take notice? If you think you’ve got what it takes, contact TECHEAD today.