Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
It’s time.
You’ve quit your job, been laid off, or are just ready for a change.
While a job search can be invigorating, it can also be a daunting process – especially if you’re looking for a remote position.
Despite the obvious negatives that COVID-19 brought upon the world, the continued shift toward remote work seems to be one of the positive consequences. Not only is it great for employers, but it also provides a swath of benefits for employees.
As someone who recently went through the process of finding (and acquiring) remote employment, I want to share a few tips that will hopefully help with your endeavor:
1) Update social media
Whether you like it or not, many employers check social media as part of their vetting process.
It can be a nerve-wracking consideration, but it’s also an opportunity to improve your chances of getting the job.
Before sending a single application, make sure you update your accounts* in a few ways:
- Ensure your profiles are safe for work. Racy photos, controversial statements, and rude posts will raise red flags for potential employers – it’s best to clear any of those from your social media.
- Make sure you can be found. Some employers are less likely to pursue you as a candidate if your profiles are private. Consider making the bulk of your social media public, at least for the duration of your job search.
- Check to make sure they’re up to date. Add relevant work experience on LinkedIn, verify contact information is accurate, and add important links (portfolio, blog, etc.) where helpful. This will reduce any confusion as recruiters research you.
- Consider creating a cohesive personal brand. It can be as simple as using the same professional profile picture, link, and headline across all platforms. Use your social media to present a clear message about your professional value.
By making these changes, you’ll ensure social media works for rather than against you during your job search.
*LinkedIn should be priority-one, but don’t forget Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
2) Use multiple avenues
As convenient as it would be to have a one-stop shop for jobs, the reality is that not all positions are posted on every job board and some (which are part of the hidden job market) never hit job boards at all.
At least, in the beginning, keep your options open and tackle your search from a few different angles. Here are some to consider:
- Online job boards. There’s plenty of overlap from site to site, but it’s worth taking a few minutes each day to peruse a rotation of feeds. A few I focused on for remote work were FlexJobs, LinkedIn, Indeed, and Up2Staff. It might seem daunting to check 4-5 sites every day, but with deliberate filtering (location, career level, etc.) it can be a fairly speedy process.
- Company websites. Some businesses choose to avoid job boards and simply post openings on their own websites. It can be worth brainstorming companies you might like to work for and checking their careers page on occasion.
- Friends. You might want to avoid asking via social media (you’ll likely get a slew of useless advice), but by asking specific people, you may unearth opportunities you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
- Be curious*. Sometimes the best way to get a job offer is to approach someone with curiosity rather than a resume. If you’re interested in a specific company or career path, find key individuals in those fields, invite them to coffee (or a video call), interview them about their career/company, and ask their advice on how to best enter that arena.
By taking multiple approaches to your job search, you’ll give serendipity a better chance of surprising you with a win!
*For a more in-depth description of this approach, give Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life a read!
3) Tailor your resume and cover letter
While sending a perfectly tailored resume/cover letter doesn’t guarantee an interview, it significantly increases your chances of being noticed.
Here are some suggestions for bumping your resume up a few notches:
- Declutter your job history. Any experience you include that doesn’t actively bolster your brand is dead weight. At best it’s a distraction and at worst it hurts your chances of landing the job. Just like how decluttering your personal belongings creates space for things that are important, simplifying your resume helps prospective employers focus on the highlights of what you offer.
- Customize for the job. Often what stands between you and an interview isn’t another person – it’s an Application Tracking System (ATS) designed to screen applicants. To improve your chances, it’s essential to customize your experience to match (as closely as you can) that of the company’s desired candidate and included keywords* (from the job posting) in your descriptions.
- Think critically and ignore advice. Even this advice? Maybe.😎 The point is that resume/cover letter advice can be convoluted and contradictory. Everyone on the internet has their “tried and true” guidance that you must take in order to land a job. While it’s smart to search for help, don’t forget to think critically about your unique situation.
What’s incredible is that after decluttering your resume/cover letter, customization can be quick and painless. By making small tweaks to your experience and wording, you’ll be sure to land more interviews.
*If finding keywords is daunting, consider looking into sites like Jobscan to help you out!
4) Expect rejection
You will come across obstacles in life—fair and unfair. And you will discover, time and time again, that what matters most is not what these obstacles are but how we see them, how we react to them, and whether we keep our composure.
Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
According to Zippia, “It takes 21 to 80 job applications to get one job offer, on average.”
Ouch – that’s a lot of rejection.
Especially in a remote environment where you’re competing with a wider range of applicants, it’s likely that you’ll get a slew of denials.
So what should you do about it?
- Don’t take it personally. Even the most cookie-cutter rejection letters can start feeling personal after receiving five in a single day. It can help to remind yourself that plenty of other qualified prospects received the same rejection letter, and there was likely nothing personal about the company’s choice to move forward with another candidate.
- Consider what you’ve gained through that rejection. It may seem dumb to consider the positives of denial, but it can allow you to reflect, learn, and maintain control of the process: You’ve gotten one step closer to the job you’re supposed to get. You’ve ruled out a job that wasn’t a good fit. You’ve discovered areas where you can improve in the hiring process.
- Use that negative energy as a springboard for positive choices. Rather than shift into a mindset full of doubt, sadness, or frustration, plan to engage in positive activities after rejection. Even if it’s just five minutes of exercise, journaling, or meditation, that time will energize you to move forward rather than leave you feeling stuck and alone.
Receiving a rejection letter will probably never feel nice, but it doesn’t need to ruin your day or job search.
Final thoughts
Can you successfully acquire a remote job in 2023? Yes!
With remote and hybrid work being the new norm, it’s an incredible time to consider it as an option in your own life.
It may not be an easy process, but with intentionality and patience, you’ll find a job that fits your needs.
Best of luck!👍🏼