How to Land a Remote Job
One of the few silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic is the expansion of remote work. While some companies will remain or try to return to 100% in the office, most will not be able to revert back to this old working model.
A client recently asked if they should ask when they apply to a job whether it can be done remotely. My answer was to wait. If a posting explicitly states that remote work will not be considered, I wouldn’t bother applying. If it does not say that, it’s open for negotiation. But wait until the time is right.
The topic of remote work may arise during your interviews with HR and hiring managers, so you should be prepared with your talking points to convince them it will work to their benefit. If it doesn’t, you can discuss it with them once an offer is made because at that point you know they want you on board. Here’s how to convince them.
Tell them about your success navigating remote work. If a company is hesitant about you working from home as a parent or caregiver, tell them what you’ve achieved during the pandemic. Many of us had very short notice that our children would be studying virtually full-time. How have you adapted to your changed circumstances?
It’s good for business. Focus on why it’s good for them. For example, it means less or no commute time. You can be ready to go earlier than normal and work longer if necessary. Here are some other reasons remote work is beneficial for them.
Share your situation and propose an arrangement. Know what you want or need depending on your and your family’s needs. Do you want every Friday off? Two days a week working from home? Full-time remote?
Remain flexible. Tell them how you will be flexible according to their needs. They need to know you’ll be available when an important call comes through or a meeting is called. They need to know you’ll complete a project at night or on the weekend if necessary.
Remote jobs used to be prevalent only in certain fields like graphic design and writing. Now they’ve spread across a wide range of industries and include entry-level to executive positions.
Make sure you are truly prepared for a remote career. Take a look at the sites below to find 100% or part-time remote jobs.