With more competition than ever for remote positions as a result of the pandemic, getting hired for remote work is harder than ever. Here’s what newly unemployed remote workers need to know about getting by and about finding their next remote job.
Unemployment Benefits for Remote Workers
How do you apply for unemployment benefits if you work for an out-of-state company? Do you qualify for benefits if you’re a freelancer or self-employed? These are just a few of the questions remote workers face after getting laid off. ABC News offers these answers:
Remote workers should file unemployment claims with the state where their employer is based. For remote workers, that may be a different state than where you live.
To qualify for benefits, workers must prove their hours and wages. This may be more complicated for self-employed and gig workers.
Top Skills Today’s Remote Workers Need
Once remote workers have the funds to stay afloat, it’s time to start looking for their next job. But first, they need to make sure they have the right skills. These are the most important skills for remote job seekers today:
Direct, transparent communication: It’s easy for messages to get lost in communication when working remotely. Remote employees should have a knack for clarity in written and verbal communication.
Responsiveness: In addition to communicating clearly, remote workers need to respond quickly to keep distributed teams productive.
Collaboration: The most communicative and responsive employees also tend to be the ones most committed to collaboration. Remote workers should demonstrate not only how they’ve grown their own careers, but how they’ve contributed to a larger mission.
Knowledge. If you choose to operate as a freelancer, for example, it’s important to have a fundamental understanding of the way payroll is processed. Here’s how we define payroll: It’s the process by which businesses pay their employees, and it’s important to learn how that applies to your work as a contractor.
Organization: Finally, remote workers need to be organized. When everything is digital, it takes diligence to filter and prioritize information. Part of organization is having a dedicated workspace that facilitates your productivity. This includes a functional desk, a supportive and ergonomic chair, and reliable internet access.
Books to Boost Your Soft Skills
There are skills every remote worker needs, but for candidates pursuing management positions, the bar is even higher. Management-level hires also need to be able to competently demonstrate leadership skills, such as the ability to pull teams together, promote collaboration, and find solutions when there are hiccups. Here are a few selected titles that will help job seekers develop their own leadership skills:
The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner: The Leadership Challenge uses case studies to examine leadership practices and how anyone can leverage their personal skills to become a better leader.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: This classic leadership book lays out basic principles for getting things done. It’s a top choice for anyone in a leadership position.
Off the Clock by Laura Vanderkam: A must-read for managers, Off the Clock
discusses balancing life with productivity and recommends habits to help leaders get more done.
How to Write a Winning Remote Resume
After reflection and upskilling, remote workers are ready to dig into the job hunt. But how do job seekers show off their remote skills on paper? These resume tips will help you land a remote position:
- Mention remote work in your summary. This lets hiring managers know right away that you are remote-capable.
- Write “remote work” in place of city and state when listing a previous job location.
- Incorporate relevant hard and soft remote work skills in a skills section.
- Highlight transferable skills if you’re pursuing a remote job in a new field.
Experienced remote workers are in a better position than anyone to land a remote job. However, that doesn’t mean they can rest on their laurels. With the economy struggling and scores of people unemployed, it’s more important than ever for candidates to show that they have the right skills for the (remote) job.
Gloria Martinez loves sharing her business expertise and hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses and seek promotions in the workplace. She created WomenLed.org to spotlight and celebrate women’s achievements.