Positions that allow you to work from home have quickly become the coveted items in the job market. Whether working from home has always been one of your career goals or the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to you that it’s a necessity in today’s world, many people are pursuing remote positions.
With so many people looking to work from the comfort of their home, it can be difficult to find available work-from-home jobs. Even though the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included nearly $500 billion in economic distress relief for companies, plenty of businesses can only offer a limited number of positions as they try to keep their head above financial waters. Despite the scarcity of these jobs, it is still possible to find a remote job. Let’s take a look at a few tips for finding legitimate work-from-home positions so that you can do your job in comfort and safety.
Be Flexible
By nature, remote positions are different from ones that expect you to be in the office every day. Typically, these are jobs that you can do completely independently from an office space. These positions may include virtual assistants, digital marketing specialists, sales representatives, and more. Although you may be able to find full-time, remote positions that are pretty much the same, you also need to be open to the idea of working a few part-time gigs. Freelance positions and contract employment tend to have a lot of remote opportunities but they require that you be more flexible in terms of hours, benefits, and wages.
Look on Job Sites
There are many different platforms built for job listings. You can use bigger platforms, such as Indeed or Glassdoor, or try sites that are a bit more niche. These sites could be specific to your desired industry or to remote work. Wherever you look, you can search for remote positions by using keywords like “work at home,” “telecommute,” and “freelance.” Although 60% of jobs are found through networking, searching sites with these terms can be the key to finding the job you want. Be sure to look through all of the listings and use the resume posting section, if the site has one. This will allow companies that are looking for employees to find your resume.
Prepare for a Remote Interview
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, even companies that have a local office are conducting virtual interviews. For a virtual interview, you will likely video chat with the interviewer and may have to complete skill assessments using online platforms. Not only will you need to brush up on your interview skills, but you should also make sure that your technology can meet the demands of a remote interview. You don’t need to have the fastest Internet speed, which was recorded at 43 terabits per second on a single fiber line, but you do need to make sure that you have a reliable connection that won’t cut out in the middle of your interview. If you’re concerned about your Internet connection failing you, make backup plans to ensure that you can complete your interview.
It may take some effort and patience to find the work-at-home job that you’re looking for but it is possible. Remember to stay open-minded and use all the resources available to you during your job search. Soon enough, you’ll land the remote position of your dreams.