Remote work is not for everyone. This has been the struggle of most employees early this year when companies and businesses were forced to work from home because of the pandemic. They were not able to prepare themselves for the adjustment and transition. They were not equipped with the right skills and attitude in dealing with this new setup.
But if you are a fresh graduate or someone who is just starting to look for remote jobs, you still have a chance to prepare for the future of work. Here are the things you need to have in order to say that you are truly ready for remote work.
1. Tools and equipment
These are basically the things you need to be able to work anywhere efficiently. You must have your desktop or laptop with installed softwares, programs, platforms, and apps. You also need a good audio-video device for virtual meetings or other gadgets. Most of all, you need a strong internet connection because this is the heart and soul of remote work. Without a proper internet connection, you cannot do any task.
2. Conducive workspace
Working from anywhere does not necessarily mean just “anywhere” you like. When choosing a perfect workspace, make sure you can work productively with no distractions. Set up your home office where there is good lighting, strong internet connection, less noise, and zero disturbances. Of course, the most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable and everything you need is within your reach.
3. Schedules and boundaries
This part is where time management skill is required. Working remotely means you own your time and you can set schedules for yourself. Without setting boundaries for all your daily activities, you might end up having problems with work-life balance. Following routines can help you distinguish the thin line between household chores and your job when you are working at home. In this way, you can also inform your family members that you cannot be disturbed during your specified working hours.
4. Mental and emotional wellness to face new challenges caused by this new set up
Working remotely means you are going to work alone, without the physical presence of your team. Make sure that this setup is okay with you. There are no colleagues to hang out with, no office environment, and no one to check up on you from time to time. Because you work with no supervision, make sure you can be resilient enough and resolve your issues on your own. Take care of yourself and avoid burnouts by setting schedules and boundaries. You should not be afraid to speak up and let your manager know if you are given the right amount of tasks for your capacity.
5. Willingness to continue learning
There is a lot to learn when you work remotely and it takes a whole new experience in order for you to be familiar with this setup. Aside from learning how to use the right technology for remote work, you also improve your communication skills along the way. You will also be exposed to new cultures and work ethics. If you keep an open mind for new things, you will surely thrive in a remote work environment.
Bonus: Motivation
If you are motivated to work in a remote setup and you see yourself excel in the new normal, then you are ready for anything. Without determination and willingness to explore the possibilities, you will only find yourself feeling lonely and tired all the time.
This is why remote work is not for everyone. Those who are not ready are not motivated enough to work alone and far from the team. But this is the new normal. This is the future of work. Time will come when companies will make remote work readiness as a must-skill set for them to employ you.
Just like in expressing love, you can also experience being turned down in job applications. As with any type of rejection, it can hurt because of the disappointment. Imagine the work you’ve done putting your best foot forward in your resume and application form, trying hard to impress the interviewer, showing off to sell yourself just to receive “sorry” in an email. But there is nothing to cry about in job applications. You just have to know how to deal with it and turn things around. Here are some helpful tips to help you cope with job rejections:
1. Don’t take it personally
It’s not about you and it’s not the end of the world. It’s about the qualifications and criteria that did not land you the job. Just like in sportsmanship, accept the fact that there are winners and losers, and this time, you did not win. It’s normal. It’s part of the process. But remember that there is nothing wrong with you or your capabilities. Don’t take it against the company or the interviewer. It was also hard for them to decide on which candidate to hire. Do not burn bridges because you’ll never know when you will come across another job vacancy with this company or meet them at some point in the future.
2. Keep a positive attitude
Remain positive despite rejections. You should still thank the interviewer for the opportunity and say nice things. Stay away from negative thoughts and frustrations about the company or about you. You have to still be confident and show maturity as a person. Smile and take the rejection as a learning experience. Having a genuinely good attitude can leave a good impression on you. Whereas if you show a bad attitude, you are just giving the company another reason why they did not hire you.
3. Focus on your strengths
You’ve come this far in your application. It means there is something about you that caught the hiring manager’s attention. It’s just not enough to land you the job. So reflect on your application journey and find out what went wrong. Focusing on your abilities is one way to maintain confidence and self-esteem. Develop your strengths and improve on your weaknesses if there are any. In this way, you can level up and be ready for your next job application.
4. Don’t be afraid to try again
Speaking of next job applications, never let rejections bring you down. Do not be discouraged by one company saying “no” to you. There are many other companies that are hiring. All you have to do is keep applying and never surrender. Don’t lose hope if you have received several rejections already. Always remember that if you give up today, you might miss tomorrow’s opportunity.
5. Remember that what is truly yours will come to you
In the context of how the universe works, keep in mind that you will always get what is meant for you in life. If you have this mindset and you believe in the universal laws, you can easily turn rejections into something to your advantage. For example, if one company rejected you, there might be a reason why. You can look at it as a sign that it is not good for you. Just like in soulmates, you and your job should click, have chemistry, and be a perfect match. Rejections are just stepping stones toward something greater and there are so much more in store for you.
Bonus tip: Apply to as many job opportunities as you can.
Do not apply to just one company at a time. Send your application to all the job vacancies you can find, making sure that you are qualified. Having several active applications can lessen the impact of one rejection. You can look forward to the other companies you have applied for instead of thinking about being rejected.
These are just some of the many tips you can follow to cope with job rejections. To overcome a job rejection proves that you can overcome any challenge in your career. Knowing that you can properly handle this obstacle shows how you are as a professional dealing with rejections at work.
Gone are the days when you would still go to an in-person interview, firmly shake hands and sit right across the interviewer. With the emergence of remote jobs due to the pandemic, conducting a virtual interview is the new normal for hiring managers and HR professionals.
A virtual or online interview via video call or a video conferencing platform is no different from having it in person. Other than not being physically present with the interviewer, the only addition is the use of technology. Here are some tips on how you can ace your virtual interview and land your remote dream job.
1. Research about the job and the company
Like all interviews whether in person or virtual, knowing some vital information about the position you’re applying for and the company will make you confident in answering questions about your skills and how you can be valuable to the team. By focusing on the vacant job, you can present yourself as an expert in the field. Reading about the company beforehand can show your interest and make you more proactive in giving details about why they should hire you.
2. Dress professionally (appropriately)
Even if you are at home, it is important that you treat this virtual interview just as you would in person. Take out your corporate attire, dress nicely and be presentable in front of the camera. It is important to look your best because first impressions last. Since you are applying for remote work, how you look on the screen is how you will be seen for the rest of your employment.
3. Conduct the interview in a conducive environment
If you don’t have a home office setup yet, choose a spot in your house where there is a strong signal, good lighting, free from distractions, noise-proof, and has a presentable background. In this way, you can be focused on the interview from start to finish. Being distracted by unnecessary noise or people in your household can make a mark on how you are as a remote worker.
4. Prepare the tech you’ll need
Check your laptop or desktop. There should be no power interruptions during the interview. Make sure you have easy access to the necessary video conferencing platform that you will use. Test your earphones or microphone to see if you can speak and be heard clearly. Do all these before your schedule to avoid having technical difficulties and waste time during the actual interview. What you also want to avoid is disconnection or lag so make sure you have stable internet connection and have a plan B using mobile data just in case.
5. Just be yourself
It’s normal to practice your answers to interview questions but make sure you won’t sound robotic and monotonous. Be natural and authentic. Do not be stiff or too controlled. Put your best foot forward but show the real you. Establish rapport by creating conversations other than the question and answer portion. It’s also good if you can look straight into the camera while answering questions so you still maintain eye contact with the interviewer even in a virtual setup.
Bonus tip: Follow up on your application status
Since you have undergone the interview, it would mean that you already took one step further in the application process. By following up, you also show how interested you are to get the position. You can thank the interviewer again for taking the time to get to know you and ask questions you might have forgotten during the video call.
These are just some of the most important tips to help you make a good impression on your interviewer. When you perfect all these, you can be sure that you will be remembered as the one who the interviewer had a good conversation with.
The Digiters are on a hiring spree! We are currently looking for more people to join our remote team of digital consultants. If you’re interested to apply, we are going to give you some insider tips that will surely increase your chances of getting noticed.
1. Read the job description very carefully
The most common mistake of applicants is they don’t read the job description thoroughly. When they see the position and think that they qualify, they apply right away. It is important to know that you have the right skills and experience to match what the employer is looking for.
2. Customize your cover letter and CV
Always update your cover letter and CV to reflect the core competencies you want to showcase for a particular position you are eyeing for. Remove irrelevant information and aim for a good impression. It would be good if you can make it concise and direct to the point. A great addition is if you could highlight your soft skills such as attitude, discipline, and reliability. Hiring managers for remote work are very keen on selecting candidates with similar core values with the team they are wanting to join.
3. Respond to emails
When you apply for a job, make sure to regularly check your email. There might be additional requirements or other information that the hiring manager would need from you. Responding in a timely manner will add to your chances of getting noticed and will show how much you anticipate the updates.
4. Review your LinkedIn profile and your digital footprint, in general
LinkedIn has been the ultimate social media platform for professionals. This is where employees and employers build their network. Hiring managers often look at the profiles of their prospective applicants for additional information. Make sure all details are complete and updated such as your work experiences and skills list.
Aside from professional profiles, you can also review your personal digital footprint. Hiring managers sometimes look at other social media platforms under your name.
5. Polish everything before submitting
Be sure to proofread your cover letter and CV for typographical or grammatical errors. Reread your email composition and double check if you have attached the necessary files before clicking the send button. Check the spelling of names, email addresses, and other items that you might have missed.
There you have it. These tips will work not only for Digiters but with any job application. Good luck and we hope to receive your application in our inbox!
