Are you searching for remote work, but feel like you’re drowning in a sea of information? You might be making a few mistakes that are avoidable. Let’s dig deeper into the top 3 mistakes that are holding you back from finding remote work.
The tips in this article can help you avoid these mistakes, which can help improve your chances of finding your perfect remote job…or even starting your own remote business!
What are the 3 mistakes holding you back from finding remote work?
Mistake #1 – Starting Your Job Search In The Wrong Place
Where is the first place you look for a job whether it is a remote position, a traditional office job, or even to start finding clients if you work for yourself?
You probably go straight to your computer, and Google “Jobs Near Me” or “Remote Work”.
You may also jump right onto job sites like Indeed or Flexjobs. I’m here to tell you that these steps aren’t “bad”, they are simply out of order.
The problem with this strategy is that you are competing against hundreds, if not thousands, of other job applicants, and you may have skipped some critical steps that can help you:
- Identify the right positions for you.
- Align your skillset to the opportunity.
- Find opportunities that are right in front of you.
Before you dive in to explore your options, check out this article on the Top 10 Skills To Be A Remote Worker.
This will help you increase your confidence and be able to talk about yourself without feeling like you are “tooting your own horn”.
The Right Place To Start Your Job Search
Search for a job or freelance role closer to your immediate network.
Start with your family and friends since these are the people that know you best & your skillset. Many people are afraid to start this way because they think they are a “burden” or they may feel embarrassed to ask.
These days, with everything being online, people are more comfortable connecting in places like email and social media. It’s not only acceptable to tell people you are open to opportunities, people expect it and want to help.
The next level is to start networking where you hang out, like church, volunteer places, and even in online groups.
I found the majority of my remote jobs while RVing, in a Facebook group catering to RVers. I answered questions and people found me to be helpful. Eventually, people started referring me in the group for specific job types.
While you may feel uncomfortable at first, the digital age has made networking online easier and dare I say fun! Lastly, according to many reputable publications, studies have shown that up to 85% of jobs are found through personal and professional networks.
Mistake #2 – Your Resume Is Likely Outdated
During my free remote work training, I ask people if they have a remote work resume. Most of the time I hear these answers:
- What’s a remote work resume?
- I don’t know if I have a remote resume.
- I recently updated my remote work resume, so I think so.
I can tell just by the answers that the real answer is “no” most people don’t have a real remote work resume.
Let’s set the record straight right now. If you are looking for remote work, either working for yourself or someone else, if you do not have a remote work resume ready to go, you are definitely missing out.
The Right Way To Update Your Remote Work Resume
When you are looking for remote work you have to have a resume that is geared toward remote work. That might sound redundant, but let me explain.
A remote work resume has these things at a minimum:
- A short, summary statement that explains who you are and how you can help.
- Keywords and phrases that match the job description.
- No spelling or grammatical errors.
These things alone can help you play nice with the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which will kick you out of the system if there’s even a hint that your resume doesn’t match these qualifications.
Notice I didn’t mention your actual experience or skillset? While those are important factors, these days you have to first focus on your resume style and then on the contents.
Another thing you need to do is have more than one resume. As a matter of fact, you need multiple resumes for multiple jobs. This may sound over the top, but by focusing your resume on a specific job it will stand out to the hiring managers.
Check out my blog post for a deep dive into how to write a resume for remote work.
Mistake #3 – Thinking That You Are Not Qualified
The biggest obstacle that you must conquer in your remote work journey is thinking that you are not qualified for many jobs. Nine out of 10 people tell me that they are intimidated by the hiring process, and that lack of confidence holds them back from pursuing their dream job.
It always surprises my Remote Work School members when they tell me they aren’t qualified for a job and I tell them to apply anyway, and they get the job! I cannot tell you how many of them said “Camille, I can’t believe I got that job. It never would have happened if you didn’t push me to apply.”
People mistakenly want a secret formula or special hack but it’s easier than you think. You can use my Three C method to move forward.
The Three C’s
People like to think that they need the confidence to get the job opportunities they want. What many people don’t realize is that confidence is a muscle that grows when you work out. You don’t start with being confident – you end with confidence after you work your confidence muscle over and over.
The best thing you can do is to try your way to confidence. So, next time you feel like you are not qualified for something, try anyway and apply!
More important than having confidence, however, is having the courage to get out there and take the first step and the next one after that. This helps you practice the skills which leads to…you guessed it…more confidence!
Lastly, once you start taking more action steps, you need commitment to take action every day! It’s one thing to start something and get going, and it’s something else to keep your momentum going every day.
Start with small steps that don’t feel too intimating or overwhelming. For example, I tell people that if you really want to find remote work in the next 30-60 days, apply to at least one job a day whether you think you are qualified or not. Then work up to two jobs and then three.
That may sound like a lot, but the point is to practice applying which makes you better and better. Most of those jobs you may not even like or want, but that’s not the point. The point is to get into the habit of applying, build momentum, and gain more confidence from the repetition.
Once you have advanced to this level of confidence, and add in an outstanding resume the feeling of intimidation lessens. Now you are ready to commit to using all the resources at your disposal to find a remote work position that brings you joy and financial freedom!
What are your questions about finding the right remote work role for you? Drop a comment below.
If you are looking for a deeper dive into this topic, be sure to sign up for FREE Remote Work Training. It takes about an hour to complete and you can learn more about how to work with me as your coach.
