I’m writing this blog post from the deck of my 37-foot sailboat midway through my journey from Stamford, CT to Fort Pierce, FL.  The sun is setting over the harbor in Oriental, NC, and a few clouds drifting by are painting whisks of salmon against the glow.

Someone is blowing a shofar!??

I work remotely. 

 
As a resume and career transition expert, I have conversations with different people every day about what they want next in their careers.  One of the things I ask is, “Would you prefer to work remotely, in an office full-time, or a hybrid between the two?” 

 

The majority say they would prefer a hybrid role where they can see people in person a few days a week but can also work from home to have some of the work-life balance that had been missing earlier in their careers. Many also say they would rather work in a remote situation where they aren’t required to commute to an office. 

 

This piqued my curiosity: what is the reality in the job market?

 

Well, according to the Talent Tech Outlook Study, 82% of respondents agreed that they prefer to work remotely rather than working from an office. 

 

Now, of course, that statistic represents the tech space where remote work is much more feasible than your average leadership role. 

 

This doesn’t ring true for all jobs. 

 

Working remotely isn’t possible at a restaurant, a local gym, or in retail unless you’re at the very top of the executive food chain.  Even then, showing up in person is often a necessity of the job. So, it’s important to ensure that the job you seek aligns with the possibility of working remotely.

 

The Talent Tech study further revealed that, in the tech world, 64% of employees said they experienced higher productivity working from home as compared to working from the office. 

 

Employers are catching on, as demonstrated by Elevate Security in San Francisco which stands behind its tenet, “We want you to work where and when you work best.” 

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 quarantines, more businesses have increasingly adapted and even become comfortable and familiar with allowing employees to work from home. Leaders have become adept at managing and being productive from many locations beyond the traditional office. 

 

What does it take to land a job in which you get to work successfully from home? 

 

Here are a few tips to make sure you are ready to be hired for remote or hybrid work. 

 

1. Have a well-established, dedicated home office.  You need to be able to focus on your work in an environment that is conducive to productivity, and you need to be prepared to show it on Zoom or Google Meet. The more professionally you present yourself and your surroundings while communicating effectively in the remote interview process, the more likely you'll be perceived as a professional in that environment.

So make sure your background is very neat and professional, or make sure to blur it often!

Ensure you're well-lit so your whole face is very clearly visible.

Stand or set yourself in such a way that, on screen, it appears to the interviewer as if you are sitting across a coffee table or desk when they're talking to you.

2. Have references ready. Who can speak to your ability to work independently and remotely? You may have already had opportunities to work from home. If possible, have a written reference letter and post it on LinkedIn, in which you have asked the writer to reference your ability to complete work effectively in a remote environment.

3. Ask about supportive resources.  When interviewing, ask about what the organization provides in terms of processes, resources, and policies to verify that remote work is not only supported but also allows for everyone to experience each other as available, collaborative, and productive.

During an interview, if you ask, “Do you support me working remotely?”, the interviewer may experience you as being most focused on what you want.

This is quite different from asking, “How does this company make sure that remote and hybrid workers collaborate effectively to achieve business initiatives and grow the business successfully?”

This nuance demonstrates the value placed on an intelligent and holistic remote approach and could make the difference between a job offer and being second place.

And, you don’t get to be second place.

So how about you? 

What are some ways you'll prepare for the new remote and hybrid workplace that is now becoming ubiquitous?

It’s always exciting for us when one of our ‘Be The One Best’ clients secures the remote job of their dreams. If you’d like a review of your resume, LinkedIn profile, or a conversation about your goals for an outstanding leadership career you’ll love, you can access our questionnaire and scheduling link here - https://s.pointerpro.com/career-tps