Articles : How to Search for Remote Positions

When COVID-19 struck, businesses and employees had to make abrupt changes. A number of employees converted to working from home indefinitely and many businesses switched to interviewing and onboarding employees virtually.

For some it was a difficult switch, finding it much easier to maintain their business and communicate with their employees in the office. But for others it’s been a game-changer, providing endless opportunities to enhance their business plans.

Below are some tips on what to consider if you’re looking to continue working from home remotely or if you are looking for a remote position.

1. Use keywords and network.
If you are specifically looking for a position that has the option of working from home, use keywords like “remote” or “home” to help narrow down your search. Check out this article from TorontoJobs.ca for a guide on using keywords in your job search.

Access the hidden job market by networking with your connections on LinkedIn. These are jobs that are never advertised and are filled through referrals. You may learn about an opening for a remote position by connecting with other people in your industry.

You can also search for remote jobs through specific sites like: freelancer.com, remote.co, and remoteok.io.

2. Be aware of scams.
With the increase of people working from home because of COVID-19, recognize that there may be some illegitimate jobs mixed into the pool of options in your search. Ensure you read each job posting carefully. If the job is offering you an exuberant salary or you can’t find any information about the company… it’s a good indication that the job may be a scam.

3. Do you have the right space?
If you’re considering working from home on a more permanent basis, consider whether you have the right space to do so. Is there a spare room you could use and set up as “your office?” Is your space free from distractions like noise or interruptions from other people?

During COVID-19, this can especially be difficult for parents with young children who normally would be in school during the day. If this is the case, make sure to communicate with your manager about having more flexibility during the day depending on the needs of you little ones.

4. Are you technologically savvy?
If you aren’t already, become familiar with platforms like ZOOM, Skype, or FaceTime, as you’ll likely be using more technology to communicate with your co-workers when working from home.

You should also ask yourself how much technological assistance you need from your organization. Do you need them to provide you with a work laptop, work phone, etc.

5. Be flexible and think about the hours you want to work.
Even if you’re working from home full-time, sometimes you may be required to come into the office a couple days here and there to do some work. You may find the position requires you to work half at home and half in the office. Think about whether you want to start working earlier in the morning, later in the day, or do some work on the weekend. Working from home allows this kind of flexibility, so think about what would work best for you.

Click here to watch President of TorontoJobs.ca Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA discuss this topic.

Want more job tips ? Click here to check out the TorontoJobs.ca YouTube Channel for more.

Interested in attending one of our virtual events? Check out our full events listing here.

TorontoJobs.ca is a full-service recruitment organization, including TorontoJobs.ca Website, Career Fairs, full-service Recruitment Division and Outplacement Services. The local focus and advanced features make TorontoJobs.ca a vital asset for both job seekers and employers within the Greater Toronto Area. Visit our Online Career Centre for additional articles on Career Development, Personal Branding and more!