Want to Work Remotely? This is What Employers Are Looking For

Everyone has dreamed of working remotely on a luxurious beach; margherita in hand at least once. Or maybe you're a little more laid back and just want to have the comfort of working from home and have a flexible schedule. Whatever your reasons may be for wanting to work remotely, it’s a work lifestyle that is highly achievable if you possess the qualities employers commonly desire in remote employees. So, if you're interested in becoming a remote worker, stick around and discover the top 6 characteristics employers look for when hiring remote employees!

#1 Great Communication Skills 

Starting with one of the most essential skills to have as a remote employee is great communication skills. It’s no surprise that being able to effectively communicate with your colleagues through phone, email, messaging, and video chat is a critical part of the job. Employers want to know that you can maintain smooth swift lines of communication remotely since they cannot easily reach you in a physical setting. 

#2 Independent Worker

Since working remotely will render you with little to no supervision, being able to work independently with confidence is a must. For someone who is very social, working remotely can be intimidating due to the lack of social interaction and feelings of isolation. Employers typically look for employees who are comfortable working alone and are content with little to no social interaction in day-to-day work. 

#3 Ability to Stay Focused

Staying focused at work can be challenging in the office and even more so remotely at times. It’s important to employers that you know how to stay focused without the need for supervision. Maintaining and increasing productivity within a business is one of the many responsibilities employers hold and they need remote workers who can deliver on that as much as their in-person colleagues.

#4 Tech Savvy

Considering that working remotely requires heavy use of technology, remote workers must be familiar with commonly used applications/software for remote work. These applications could include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc. Even if you are not familiar with some of the applications the job may require, being able to learn and pick them up quickly is a quality employers covet in their remote workers.

#5 Self-Motivator

Without a supervisor being physically present in your at-home office; finding motivation to get things done may be a little more challenging. Supervisors help employees stay on task and ensure they are remaining productive. Since remote workers do not have an on-site supervisor who constantly monitors their activity, employers need to know that they can stay self-motivated to avoid any loss in worker productivity. 

#6 Good Collaborator 

Seeing that working remotely will sometimes put you in situations where you will have to work with team members that are in different locations and time zones, being able to effectively collaborate is a key skill employers look for. Since you won’t be working in a physical setting, you’ll need to be able to take the initiative in maintaining constant lines of communication with your team members as a way to keep on top of projects and demands.

And that’s a wrap for the top 6 characteristics employers look for in remote employees! Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years and is looking to become a common line of work for many. If remote work is your dream career be sure to put these characteristics and skills on your resume for your next job application and watch the offers pour in!