The ‘at-home’ working guidelines issued by the Government in response to the pandemic have highlighted the fact that employees can work at home. Indeed in many cases, they thrive on it. Not only have individuals risen to the challenge of remaining motivated working at home, but they’ve excelled, becoming more productive than ever.
Employees have also realised that remote working facilitates flexibility and enables a better balance between work and ‘life’. Parents can share childcare responsibilities, while lone parents can enjoy a more relaxed working structure, freeing them from the costs of afterschool childcare. For some, the relief comes from the loss of the cost of the commute, super early starts, and late finishes.
For employers, a remote workforce means a broader and more diverse workforce. Location is no longer a factor in who you can realistically employ. Suddenly, the UK (or even the world) is your talent pool. Depending on an applicants’ right to work in the UK, remote jobs allow employers to attract and hire the best tech talent, no matter their geography.
Many workers have come out of the pandemic with the conclusion that remote work is their working option of choice. In a recent survey, the numbers speak for themselves. 75% of those questioned confirmed that they would wish to continue to work remotely at least part-time.
We at Ignite have noticed that many of our client briefs are now offering (at the very least) hybrid working, with some being entirely remote opportunities.
If one of these remote roles is high up on your wish list, then here are some tips to help you find the remote opportunity to suit you in 2022.
Top tips for finding remote work.
Define what you want.
Before you begin applying for any job at all, you should define what your priorities are. Ask yourself what your ideal working model would look like. Do you need to work from home full-time or would you be able to accommodate a hybrid arrangement where you mix up your working week, splitting it between the office and home?
Once you have your preferences, look at them again. Are there deal breakers in there? Or could you compromise?
When all these cards are in line, you can begin looking for remote roles through a clear lens.
Start applying for remote roles.
With many employers realising that at least some element of remote working is high on the list of ‘wants’ from applicants, many are using it as a headline banner on their job ads.
If you are scanning the job boards for remote opportunities, remember that many are not set up for remote opportunities. You may have to apply some filters as you search. The filters will help narrow the options to meet your needs.
If 100% remote working is your non-negotiable, you may like to use “100% remote” or “remote companies” as your primary filter, followed by your skills filters. You don’t want to become distracted by your dream job only to be disappointed when remote working isn’t mentioned. If an ad doesn’t mention remote working, it’s probably not offered.
Don’t be blinkered.
Remote Working may be what you need, but it’s important to recognise that remote working is not the job or company itself. A business may be offering a first-class remote working policy that ticks all your boxes, but it may still be wrong for you. The philosophy of a company underpins its whole culture and will affect the entire workforce…remote, hybrid, and office-based. You should still do your research to determine whether you will be happy there and that the company’s values are in line with your own. Read our article on the importance of Workplace Culture here.
Highlight your remote working skills.
Being able to work remotely is a skill. When you are drafting your application, you should highlight the skills you have acquired whilst working in a remote capacity. These could be both technical skills and soft skills and qualities that enable successful remote working. For example, time management, intrinsic motivation, and effective communication are all required to be able to work effectively in remote or hybrid situations amid a dispersed team.
However, don’t neglect the technical skills the job ad requires at the expense of your remote prowess. If the job description specifies you need programming skills or cloud-based experience as must-haves be sure to lead with those.
Unfortunately, not all roles are remote. And some may not offer any remote working as an option. If this is the case, it’s probable that this isn’t the job for you. To apply and expect the role to be adapted to meet your needs will likely be a waste of everyone’s time. In these situations, it’s best to move on and extend your search.
Not sure where to start? The employee advice pages of our blog have masses of comprehensive, practical advice on every stage of the application process. Articles on creating a stellar CV, how to ace your remote interview, and networking on LinkedIn are all topics we cover. Head on over to our blog by following this link.
Are you a tech, digital, or data professional looking for your next remote or hybrid role? We have a wealth of exciting, interesting, and impactful remote tech roles with clients who are leading voices in their fields. Let us help to find you your next remote job opportunity. Reach out today.
