Did you know, it can take up to 2 years to land a remote job? This is not surprising, since only 2% of those applying through career pages or job boards even get invited to interview. Currently, the remote job market sees higher demand for remote work than supply of remote career opportunities. Sure, there are lots of small gigs and projects available for freelancers, but the number of full-time and part-time opportunities is still limited. Regardless, of your field or remote work experience, fact is, you are competing with a global pool of applicants for any role you apply to. Career coaching can be a key aspect to develop a competitive edge and land a remote role.
In order to stand a chance, there are several key aspects to consider. On one hand, it is important that you highlight your aptitude for remote work. This includes specific soft skills like organisation, empathy and pro-activeness. On the other hand, you need to present your past experience so that it clearly shows your ability to succeed in the role you apply to.
For our acework members, it is important to complete their profile on the platform.
But companies also look at each candidates Linkedin profile and resume. Therefore, it is crucial for your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your past experience in the right context. Prove your hard and soft skills, as well as mention proficiency with remote tools. All of these show your readiness to take on a remote opportunity.
According to jobscan, 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find or vet candidates. Acework profiles also link directly to your Linkedin, so chances are that a company will take a look directly after you apply. In addition, to appear on any recruiter’s search as a top candidate, a search-optimised profile is key.
To unlock your profile’s potential, an outsider’s perspective can be helpful to create a clear strategy and well-crafted messaging. Asking your friends and loved ones usually isn’t the best option. Same as presenting a new business idea, your close circle often lacks the ‘tough love’ to give clear feedback on your profile presentation. A career coach, on the other hand, keeps your best interests in mind, but can still give advice that may be uncomfortable to hear.
Coaching, as opposed to profile feedback and review, means working with a professional mentor to navigate the remote job market. A coach helps you craft the perfect resume and LinkedIn profile. This allows you to market yourself to companies effectively.
Coaching also prepares you for interviews and trains you to showcase your experience and personality.
Now you have to make sure this resonates with the companies values. After all, successful interviewing is an acquired skill. In addition, there are specific factors to consider when you show up for a remote interview.
These are not relevant in on-site interviews, but can immediately raise a red flag for any remote recruiter. It’s easy enough to prepare for this, for example by practicing mock interviews. Mock interviews help you calm your anxiety and build your confidence. You might not always receive feedback after interviews, but through mock interviews with a coach, you will receive feedback in a low-stress environment. You also have the opportunity to clarify any questions you might have about interviews in general.
As much as first impressions matter, it is also important to but leave a memorable impression after the interview. Recruiters and hiring managers keep you in mind when you manage to ask relevant questions. A coach will help you prepare the right questions, which will give you insight on the company as well as leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
Your unsure where you want to take your career? Working with a coach can also help you identify your worth and clear the path ahead of you. Read more about landing a remote job interview here.
At acework we help individuals to work more flexibly. We vet job seekers for remote readiness and connect them with remote-first companies in our network. To support your remote work journey, we provide career coaching and partner offers. Join our network or get in touch with us in the Live Chat or via email (talent@acework.io).
If you want to get into a remote career or are looking for a new opportunity, use our Candidate Sign-up to join acework.
