The following is a guest post by Matt Wilson from The Work-from-Home Depot. Matt has worked remotely for several years and has a setup that allows him to be productive and efficient and truly enjoy his time in the “office”. He created Work-from-Home Depot to assist individuals and teams in making the transition to remote working.
Technology has helped many of us cope with the lockdown in numerous ways. One area where this has become most prevalent is through remote work. It’s a blessing that has opened up a bounty of earning opportunities for people who are stuck at home or who have recently lost their job.
And while it’s true there are plenty of work-from-home opportunities one can explore, from blogging to consulting, competition is fierce.
If you’re on the hunt for remote employment, not only do you need to find the right job and/or stand out in your niche, but you also need to stay sharp when it comes to bolstering your leadership skills and making the most of the extra time on your hands.
If you’re looking to start a blog that makes an income, this 16-step guide has tips and resources to help.
Here are more suggestions as you plan out your approach to finding a new income stream.
Set Yourself Up for Remote Working Success
Finding a job can be a full-time venture. In addition to searching for work, you‘ll need to revise your resume, improve your professional standing and purchase the right tech.
- Earning an online MBA degree will allow you to learn about management, business skills, and strategy, which could improve your credentials.
- Update your resume with a professional look and font, and learn about resume keywords in your industry.
- If your laptop or tablet isn’t working as fast as it used to, look for deals and specials on new models online.
- Check out my recommendations for the best resources for bloggers, content creators, and more.
Finding Remote Work
Before you apply for remote opportunities, it’s important to have an idea of what you want to do, where you could work and what you offer.
- Use reputable job boards like FlexJobs, Upwork, or Outsourcely to connect with employers
- When you find companies you want to work for, look to their website to get an idea of their mission and culture. These are key areas to study.
- If you need to translate your skills, take a deep dive to clearly gauge what you’re good at, the type of work you love to do, and what skills companies are willing to pay for.
- Establish yourself as an expert in your niche by starting a blog. Consider a platform like Medium to get started.
- If you are a freelancer who operates your own business, you can network with other area professionals by joining your local chamber of commerce. In addition to meeting potential clients and referrers, many chambers have a directory that outsiders can use to find you and your services.
- In some states, freelancers are required to register as businesses. So, look up guidelines and requirements, and look up how long does it take to register LLC information with the state.
Getting Hired
Like all jobs, competition can be fierce when remote working. You need to illustrate for employers exactly why they should hire you and why you’re a good match for the position.
- If you’re new to working from home, familiarize yourself with what it looks like. This means carving out a workspace, setting a schedule, and having the ability to stay productive.
- Learn some tips on holding effective virtual meetings when interviewing for a job.
- Prepare well for a video interview. You’ll need a clean space, professional attire, a solid internet connection, and no interruptions. Also, practice answering potential questions on camera.
Having the right skillset, equipment, setup, and ready resources helps when looking for work, quarantine or not. Look in the right places and make yourself the most compelling and hireable candidate you can to edge out the competition and take advantage of remote working opportunities.
What are your thoughts on remote working? Drop a comment below to start a discussion.
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