The pandemic created a massive shift in the workplace to a remote environment. Now, over 18% of people around the world work remotely full-time. In the US, about 3.2% of the workforce work remotely; that’s 4.3 million people.
While the coronavirus has given employers a reason to run their operations remotely, there are many benefits of employees working from home, including:
Better work-life balance
Higher productivity
No commuting costs
Employee wellbeing
More freedom
So, how can you find a remote entry-level job? What tips make you stand out from the crowd of job seekers?
Search engines, artificial intelligence, and algorithms reign supreme in the current job market. These systems rely on keywords to connect employers to potential employees.
Before recruiters can post a job, they will use recruitment-specific keywords to see what’s out there, and if they find you, they will request you to apply for an open position. That’s why learning keyword research, density, and placement is crucial to landing a high-paying remote job.
Help employers find you on search engine-driven platforms, including AngelList, Fiverr, Upwork, and everyone’s favorite job-hunting app – LinkedIn.
When optimizing your LinkedIn profile, include relevant keywords in your headline detailing the people you help and how you assist them. An appropriate LinkedIn headline sounds like this: “Looking for a remote data entry job in a marketing agency.”
Also, include phrases about your area of specialization in the About Me section.
You know what they say about your network; it’s your net worth, especially because you can land a high-paying remote entry-level job by commenting on a LinkedIn post or messaging a recruiter.
I know LinkedIn sounds like a broken record. But it gets the job done. Recruiters, C-suite, and employees of companies that hire remote workers all have LinkedIn profiles. Well, most of them.
Send connections to hiring managers and owner-operators of the companies you want to work for. Engage with their posts and send them a personalized message when they post a remote job you’re interested in.
You’ll easily land the job since you’ll be top of mind when they’re shortlisting candidates. During the interview, they’ll be like, “I like how proactive you are on LinkedIn, and it showed me you’d be a good fit.”
Also, network with business owners and HR executives in Facebook groups. For instance, if you are looking for a remote job in digital marketing, you can join the SEO Signals Lab Facebook group.
Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, and AngelList are some of the most popular remote job boards. Use the keyword of the remote job you want to search for available positions on the listing.
For better organization, start a remote jobs spreadsheet and use mail tracking tools to check the progress of your applications.
LinkedIn posts dozens of remote entry-level jobs daily. Indeed too. These two sites, among others, allow you to upload your CV so that remote job application is seamless and fast.
Flexjobs will provide you with access to vetted remote job ads if you can afford a small membership fee, while Pocketbook offers various remote jobs for corporate support level positions. A platform like JustRemote provides you with exclusive remote jobs not listed on other job websites.
Are you a tech-savvy woman? Remote Woman lists for-women remote tech jobs. The list of platforms is endless; the jobs too.
Update your CV. Some professionals help job seekers create compelling resumes, and hiring one is a great idea. They also have dozens of unique resume templates for you to choose from.
One could argue that your cover letter is more important than your resume. Recruiters don’t bother to check resumes that come with bad cover letters.
So, what comprises a good cover letter?
The opening paragraph grabs the attention of the recruiter
It addresses the hiring manager
There’s a connection between your experience and the job’s duties
It has your contact information
It explains why you’re the best person for the job
If you’re looking to be more impressive, you should consider having a professional website. It shows that you are tech-savvy and would be perfect for a remote entry-level job.
On the website, have pages for your resume, about you, portfolio, references, elevator pitch, and a professional blog.
Many employees worked from home during the pandemic. This experience is critical to getting hired as a remote worker since you’re familiar with remote work processes. Such include:
Communicating with tools like Slack
Collaborating with team members and doing tasks through platforms like Asana and Trello
Successfully setting up teleconferencing tools and using them
Participating in online team-building activities
The more specific you are, the better the recruiter sees how you fit into their company culture. But what if you don’t have remote work experience?
Well, since most universities decided to take their courses online, share your experience with online studying.
What tools did you use to communicate with your lecturers and students? Did you have teleconferencing calls? Did you write emails often? Recruiters will find this information invaluable.
Two main categories of software tools are used to make remote work easier:
Project management tools
Project management tools are necessary to manage workflow in a remote environment. So, if you have no experience working remotely, it’s paramount you learn how to use Trello, Monday, Asana, or Basecamp.
It’s even better if you know which tool the company uses so you can learn how it works prior to the interview.
Watercooler conversations and team meetings are now online with the help of tools like Zoom, Slack, Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Teams.
It’s easy to use these tools, and the recruiter will be confident in you if you know how to use them. Set up a meeting with a friend to learn and share your experience in the interview. Recruiters find this kind of initiative impressive.
According to Plato, questions are more important than the answers, and he was right. The answers and statements you make at an interview only provide a slight glimpse into who you are as a professional and a person. However, thought-provoking questions about the company and its processes show the recruiter what you truly value.
Moreover, the people in the company may not know to ask the right questions because they’re too close to the complexities and problems in the organization. As an outsider, you’re better placed to ask questions that will help them make the required changes.
If you ask intelligent questions, you inform the recruiter about what you will offer as an employee. Avoid filler questions like what the recruiter had for breakfast, and you will be one step closer to landing the remote entry-level job.
Finding a remote entry-level job requires meticulous planning. First things first: optimize your profile, network on LinkedIn, and find remote job listings. Pocketbook is one such job listing that works its magic if you’re looking for remote corporate support level jobs.
Once you have an interview in the pipeline, be ready to share your remote work experience or learn using remote work tools. Recruiters want to be confident that you can handle working from home with minimal hand-holding.
The resume and cover letter also need to be excellently written to impress the hiring panel. Don’t forget to throw in a few smart questions too.
Sources:
The Ultimate List of Remote Work Statistics – 2022 Edition | SmallBizGenius
The 15 Best Team Communication Tools For Businesses | Science of People
How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Better Visibility | Social Media Examiner