More and more people are looking to embrace careers that offer remote work opportunities. In the past, this was only popular among digital nomads who love to travel. But as COVID19 restrictions make people hesitant to travel, remote work has become a norm for some companies allowing individuals to be productive and earn while they are at home.
Unfortunately, the competition is tough when it comes to finding remote work opportunities. Though you can attract clients and companies from all over the world, you also have to compete against people from different countries.
For those who just started looking for remote work, it is important to take a closer look at factors that can improve your hireability.
Get the Right Online Training
The number one reason why people don’t get hired is that they don’t have the skills required for the job. If you plan on doing remote work, expect things to be a bit harder than your traditional office setup. Expect clients and employers to prefer working with someone who is skilled and can work with minimal supervision.
By taking online courses, you learn new skills that can come in handy in some remote work opportunities. Also, online courses offer practical tips that you can translate to your work. There are online courses that can even offer certifications.
While some employers or clients prefer interviewing applicants who can show certificates, keep in mind that online courses should be about skill and not just a piece of paper. More than landing a job interview, finishing online courses can give you the tools that you need to finish tasks or even negotiate for a higher rate.
Make sure to take the skills you have and use them as a foundation to build from. Making transitions to Tech or a different career is very possible by knowing what is valuable from your skill set and advertising that. Soft skills or deeper technical skills can be found on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Coursera or A Cloud Guru.
Use the Right Platform to Look for Remote Work
There are several platforms that you can use to get a job online. Some popular platforms for remote work include Upwork, Fiverr, The Balance Careers, and FlexJobs to name a few.
The thing with online platforms is that there are a lot of jobs posted every hour. On the other hand, you will need to stand out. Plus, remember that each platform is different. Some platforms are easier to use than others. There are platforms that are popular among budget-strapped clients while there are platforms that favor the more experienced freelancers.
Whatever platform/s you choose, be sure that you also read their terms and conditions. For example, Upwork has a policy where you can’t communicate outside the platform if there is no contract yet. Also, you need to know how much does the platform gets for every finished job. Upwork initially takes a 20% fee which eventually turns to just 10% once the client paid more than $500.
How does the platform increase your hireability? Some platforms are popular for certain gigs. Fiverr is popular among digital artists including graphic designers and video editors. For copywriters and editors, Scripted.com is a relatively less known but specific platform for this type of remote work.
Build a Resume/online portfolio
A good way to convince potential clients and employers is by having a good online presence. Some would even have their own website with a dedicated URL. This is especially a good way to highlight your work experience and educational background.
If you don’t have a website, LinkedIn is a good platform to showcase your resume. It also serves as the professional social media platform where you can build connections with colleagues and other professionals. Given the size of LinkedIn, companies are also using it to search for potential remote workers.
Next, don’t forget about your online portfolio. Aside from having a standout resume, be sure that you also showcase some of your best works. This makes it easier to convince potential clients that you’re the right person for the job.
Improve your communication skills
Up to this point, we’ve discussed things that will get you noticed by potential employees. The next step is to convince the potential client or employer that you are the right person for the job.
That’s when communication skills come in handy. Whether it’s an interview through emails, or it’s via Zoom, be sure that you will always be professional whenever you’re answering the potential client’s questions. If you’re writing an email, be sure that you are going to have it edited. You can also use Grammarly before doing the manual editing.
Think Long Term
If you’re already working with a client, be sure that you are going to always put your best foot forward. Even the smallest project can have the potential to set you up for your next big project. If you’re using freelancing platforms, clients can leave a review on your profile and tell others about their experience working with you. Also, you want to consider every client to have the potential to recommend you to their colleagues.
So what are things that you should avoid if you’re working with a client? Clients don’t want someone who will not reply to their emails. Next, it is equally important that you meet your end of the bargain. It means meeting deadlines and providing outputs that meet (or even surpass) their standards.
Be Open to Learning New Things
There are some projects where you will be exposed to unfamiliar things. If you are serious about improving your hireability, then it’s always a good idea that you are also open to learning new things. Whether it’s familiarizing yourself with a new platform or learning something completely new, these are some things that you might need to do if you wish to get hired by clients or employers.
However, you also have to know your limit. If the task is completely new to you, then it might be wise to not go for such projects. As a rule of thumb, don’t go for something that you can’t learn in a short period.
Have a competitive rate
If you’re going to put yourself in a potential client’s shoes, you’d realize that cost will always be a consideration. Before you think of posting your hourly rate, always try to consider your skills, experience, and the quality of work that you are going to submit. On top of that, is it competitive compared with other freelancers with the same level of experience?
Fix Your Schedule
Lastly, you want to make sure that you will fix your schedule. Though remote work usually gives you the freedom to choose when and where to work, some clients are particular about the working hours. Some clients will only work with clients within their time zone. Do you work following your time zone or should you follow the waking hours of the business you are working for?
Final Thoughts
If you plan on increasing your hireability, always make sure that you can stand out. You also need to make sure that you always maintain professionalism not only during the job interview but even after the project has been completed.
Though remote work is in-demand, it is also becoming saturated with talented and hardworking individuals.
