The world of work is constantly evolving. Technology is playing a greater role than ever before. Because of new technologies, employee demands for flexibility, greater talent pools, reduced operating expenses for businesses, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote opportunities are becoming increasingly common.
For recent graduates, landing a remote role can be an attractive option offering flexibility and autonomy. But navigating the job market without prior experience can be challenging. This article can equip graduates with valuable strategies to build experience and thrive in their first remote career.
Below, we’ll consider how you can identify remote skills you already have, build new skills, establish a workplace, master communication tools, and network to succeed in your remote career. To effectively showcase these abilities, it’s essential to create a skills based CV that highlights your strengths in a way that resonates with remote employers.
Table of Contents
Identify Transferable Skills
The first step to success in your remote career is recognizing your existing strengths. Look beyond traditional work experience and consider skills you have developed through academic pursuits, volunteer work, or even personal hobbies. Communication (both written and verbal), time management, problem-solving, and adaptability are highly valued in remote work environments.
Have you used tools like Zoom or Skype for communication, even personal communication? Have you collaborated on open-source projects? Have you set up websites or created social content for a local business? Make sure you highlight all of these experiences in your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Explore Skill-Building Opportunities
Once you’ve analyzed the skills you have, compare them to the requirements of the remote position you seek. Make a list of those skills you’ll need in order to reach your goals, then foment a plan for obtaining each one.
If you’re still in school, consider taking some or all of your classes online. Not only will you be mastering the course subject, but you’ll also gain experience with online communication and collaboration tools.
Don’t forget that remote work technologies are constantly changing. Familiarize yourself with the latest breakthroughs. Even if your job doesn’t require a certain system or technology, the knowledge of it could be of use in the future.
At any point in your career, you can pursue some or all of the following structured or unstructured lifelong learning opportunities.
Online Courses
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Universal Class, and EdX offer diverse courses in various fields, from using specific computer programs to niche skills like alternative medicine or creative writing. Online courses can help you acquire new skills or deepen existing ones.
Volunteer Work
Remote volunteering allows you to gain practical experience while contributing to a cause you care about. Platforms like Idealist.org and VolunteerMatch.org can connect you with remote volunteering opportunities. You can gain experience in social media management, web design, tutoring, accounting, and more, all while volunteering via computer.
Virtual Internships
Many organizations offer virtual internships, providing graduates and students with valuable work experience under professional guidance, often remotely. Look for opportunities in the field you wish to pursue.
Freelancing
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer opportunities to work on short-term projects and build your portfolio while developing client communication and project management skills. Others, like the photography platform Ocus or the writing platform Textbroker, allow you to take on gig work in a skill-specific environment. You can also set up a personal website, Google business listing, and LinkedIn profile to generate freelance leads.
Craft a Compelling Remote Work Profile
Remote workers face a unique challenge. Their first impression—and perhaps all their contact—with potential employers or clients takes place in a digital space. All the charm, enthusiasm, and credentials that might otherwise be evident in a cover letter and job interview are relegated to typed text and other digital formats. What can you do to make your remote work profile stand out?
Tailor Your Resume
Highlight transferable skills relevant to the remote position and showcase them through specific examples and achievements in the job descriptions. Don’t forget to include volunteerism, internships, certifications, and continuing education courses on your resume.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Utilize keywords from the job description and actively engage with relevant groups and discussions to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the field. Establish yourself as an expert by publishing informative articles on the platform. Link your profile to any news articles, websites, or social media accounts that contain examples of your work. Activate the “Open to work” setting so recruiters can find you more easily.
Prepare for Remote Interviews
Research common remote work challenges and practice articulating how you would manage time, stay focused, and collaborate effectively in a virtual setting. Lean into your past experiences that involved self-motivation and the use of digital tools. Dress to impress—wear business casual attire even if you’re attending the remote interview from your own couch. Make sure your video background environment is tidy, reflecting the ideal workspace. A solid wall or bookshelf is ideal.
Additional Tips for Remote Work Success
Once you’ve analyzed your skills, built new ones, and optimized your remote work profile, your work still isn’t done. What else can you do to ensure your success as a remote worker?
● Establish a Dedicated Workspace: Create a professional and organized work
environment that minimizes distractions and promotes productivity. As mentioned above, you should have a ready space in which to take video calls. It should be tidy, have proper lighting, and limit intrusions from pets and family members.
● Master Communication Tools: Familiarize yourself with video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, project management software, and communication tools used in remote work environments.
● Build a Strong Network: Connect with other remote professionals through online
communities and forums to learn from their experiences and build valuable relationships. Reach out to former classmates, instructors, workmates, colleagues, and those you’ve met at industry events to enlarge your network. Strengthen your ties with all your professional contacts and let your network know about your remote role or freelancing—you never know when one of them may become or introduce you to your next employer or client.
Conclusion
Landing your first remote role as a graduate requires initiative and resourcefulness. By identifying your strengths, actively seeking skill-building opportunities, and crafting a compelling remote work profile, you can set yourself up for success in this dynamic and growing work environment. Remember, the journey to remote work success is ongoing. Embrace continuous learning, stay adaptable, and leverage the unique benefits of remote work to launch a fulfilling and thriving career.
