This article was originally posted on LinkedIn on 12th Sep 2022.

If you are interested in a remote job position it is a competitive marketplace and securing a role can takes a lot of effort, time and careful consideration. It is important to cut through the hype and be honest with yourself. So sincerely, do you know what remote working really involves? Check out these key considerations below, then afterwards ask yourself honestly “am I really suitable for this type of work”? Read on for some basics for consideration prior to embarking on your job search and application journey >>>

A is for Access, and your access and availability to work the hours required. Many remote workers are in distributed teams and spread across time zones, for example working hours can be late in the evening European time to accommodate USA time zones, etc. So be sure to ask yourself, do you want to work non 9-5 hours? Lately, more companies are offering more flexible hours in their remote roles, however, often they still require CORE working hour availability, be aware of this and how it may impact on your life-work balance.

Also, Access to what is needed to do your job. Among the key pre-requisites (which can change dependant on job specification) are internet connectivity, technology and the right work environment to do your job. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a reliable internet connection, with the right technology set-up (both hardware and software) and finally the right office/work space to conduct your work. This can be either at home, or in another work location, like a coworking or shared office space. Ensure you consider this carefully and prepare for this as part

A is also for Awareness, how aware of the remote work marketplace are you? Do you know exactly what a remote role involves? Have you researched the role types and ideally spoken to someone who works remotely to hear their personal experience? You can read various interviews to understand remote personal experiences on Remote Habits.

(Self) Awareness is a vital trait for successful remote workers. I believe many wannabe remote job candidates underestimate the level of personal self-discipline and motivation required. Remote working requires explicit and clear communication skills and developed interpersonal skills. Jordan Carroll, aka the "Remote Job Coach" talks about intrinsic motivation often, as a key aptitude for effective remote work.

Furthermore, How well do you really know yourself, your positive and negative traits? The nature of remote, means it can lead to isolation and lack of quality social interaction with colleagues or team-mates. The onus is on the individual in partnership with their employer to alleviate this potential negative factor, hosting regular checkpoints and other activities to counteract. Best practice recommends encouraging social activities using virtual communications tools and also hosting physical meet-ups when possible with remote employees. Read more about the correlation between remote work, isolation and mental health in this article by Doist cofounder Amir Salihefendic.

B is for Brawn, or in other words how well developed are your remote muscles! I don’t simply mean technical aptitude or skills, I mean the whole package, which includes your interpersonal and communications skills (often known as “soft-skills”). Apart from doing the research needed to understand remote work and best practices better, you also need to hone these soft-skills regularly. Focusing in on areas of improvement that are needed, which could include; digital communications, online collaboration and skills in hosting online meetings. Many of which can be improved using simple online tutorials, collaborating on a freelance project or getting involved in volunteer groups such as Grow Remote.

First time remote job applicants need to be Brave too, as remote roles by their definition are open to a wider candidate market so you also need a strong measure of self-Belief during the application process.

C is for Commitment to Change and to going remote. I mean commitment on many levels, including the need to shift your mindset and acknowledge any areas of improvement. The length of job application process needs stellar dedication, as it is often can be a longer process than for a regular job. You will also need commitment to a new and often challenging way of working. A reminder here that technology underpins remote operations, as the pace of technology change is rapid, humans often struggle to keep up. Furthermore, remote job contracts and payments are not always straight forward depending on your location and the final contract terms, in some cases remote workers are contractors rather than full-time employees.

Competencies are key here too, including; how adaptable are you? How do you react to change? Think of an example of a time you needed to be committed to a project? Consider a recent problem you encountered and how you solved it? Give an example of how you continuously improve your performance? Read about the Remote Work Competencies Model by Workplaceless or this excellent related article by Roberta Sawatzky MA, GPHR on what it takes to be a high-potential remote worker.

Finally, have you a Clear picture in your mind of what a future remote work day may look like for you? Can you picture or imagine yourself doing the job, living the life, working the remote way? If any doubt pops into your head capture it and spend some more time considering it. This type of contemplation will help you decide if remote work is really is suitable for you. Helping you to answer elegantly when you are questioned during the job application process.

Here is a recap:

1. Ask yourself how aware are you of your own personal needs, desires and expectations are you in relation to your professional work life and how that relates to the reality of remote work

2. Measure your Brawn, make an honest personal assessment of the gaps and then do the work required to action any improvements

3. Review all of the above and make a personal Checklist of considerations and action points

In closing, the reality is that post-pandemic many more people want a remote job than currently remote roles exist to fill this need. There is an element of hype, but also standing out from the crowd can take extra effort, as Juliana Rabbi - Remote Work Coach puts it "it often takes more than "just" a simple application", but don't be disheartened, simply ensure you are ready, informed and motivated. Your dream remote job role could just be around the corner, best of luck!!

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This article was originally posted on LinkedIn on 12th Sep 2022.