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  1. Home
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  3. Want to Start Working From Home? Here’s How to Make it Happen
Career AdviceIndustry InsiderStudy TipsResources
Published 27 Oct 2020

Want to Start Working From Home? Here’s How to Make it Happen

by Madalyn Trewin

If you’ve always wanted to work from the comfort of your own home, there’s no time like the present. Working from home used to be much more of a challenge — before 2020, it was hard to find remote work, and even harder to convince your boss that it’s a good idea — but since COVID-19, working from home has become more than a possibility. It’s our new reality.


The highest percentage of New Zealand’s workforce started working remotely throughout COVID19, with
0%
of employed New Zealanders working from home during the New Zealand government lockdown alert levels three and four.

Source


Slowly but surely, working from home is becoming our new normal — no more traffic jams, unwanted interruptions or nosy colleagues. Forget the commute, work in your PJs. Working from home offers more than just lifestyle positives; your productivity could potentially improve as well.

Remote working conditions have consistently proven to improve productivity levels, and that’s only been further established since lockdown. Since the pandemic, 73% of people working from home have felt equally or more productive, with 89% wanting to continue this lifestyle after lockdown is over, at least part-time. 

If you want to find your dream work-from-home job, this article has all the tips you need to determine which work-from-home lifestyle is right for you so that you can get the ball rolling:


  • Finding the right work-from-home job for you:

    If you’re hunting for a new job, learn how to fix up your CV to prove that you’re the ideal candidate. Match your skillset to your career path so that you can love what you do, and better yet, work from home while you do it!

  • Applying for remote work:

    Apply for the best opportunities available and make sure you’re not falling for a scam.

  • Landing the job interview:

    Ace the job application and land the remote job interview with a few simple strategies.

  • Transitioning to a work-from-home job:

    If you’re looking to shift from in-office work to at-home work, find out how you can convince your boss to embrace the benefits and make the change. Most importantly, learn how to create a healthy work-life balance in an at-home environment.

Finding the Right Work-From-Home Job for You

Whether you’re just out of uni and trying to land your first job, or you’re further into your career and looking for a change, the first step to securing a remote job remains the same: it’s time to perfect your CV.

Regardless of your work experience, there’s a high chance that your CV is already full of the soft skills you need to work remotely. These are the kind of skills that prove useful in any workplace, but will be even stronger assets in a home environment.

To get started, update your CV to suit remote job applications by emphasising soft skills like:

  • Reliability
  • Organisation
  • Time management
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Communication
  • Self-motivation

To make your CV shine, try adding skills that aren’t necessarily essential in a traditional office environment, but will improve your work performance in a remote role. Mention skills like:

  • Digital communication
  • Social media strategy
  • Independent problem-solving
  • Ability to avoid distractions
  • Software knowledge

If you have any special skills or specialised knowledge that will help you stand out, make sure you mention that too. 61% of freelancers specialise in 2 to 3 talents. Your specialisation will help you stand out from the crowd.

Once you’ve perfected your CV, you’re nearly ready to start applying for remote jobs – all you have to do now is determine what kind of remote job you want. Are you interested in freelance work, running your own business from home? Or are you trying to find a full-time position for remote employees? Freelance work might seem less secure than a full-time job, but it’s actually more stable than you think:


0%
of freelancers and independent contractors feel more secure being independently employed than they do when they’re employed by a single company.

Source


Generally, it’s much easier to find freelance work-at-home jobs, too.

Now that you’ve laid out all your skills, you can match the jobs you’re applying for to your skillset. Explore different work-at-home jobs that will be sure to earn you a living and determine which career path will be the most valuable and worthwhile for you.

Applying for Remote Work

There are dozens of job search sites that cater to remote work, connecting great employers to eager job seekers. Job sites like We Work Remotely and ZipRecruiter can help you save time on your job hunt; the job listings you see are only remote job opportunities, so you don’t have to filter through job opportunities that aren’t relevant to you. You can also filter your search results on LinkedIn and other online job boards.:

If the job sounds too good to be true, there could be a good reason for that – it could be a scam. Avoid getting caught in a scam by looking out for warning signs and doing your research:

Warning Signs of a Scam
  • Watch out for red flags, if the job posting is promising too much – like “get rich quick!” – you’re probably being scammed.
  • Make sure you’re not putting too much money into the job opportunity without being reimbursed – if your employer is asking you to buy a lot of new equipment but not paying you back and only offering minimum wage, you might be losing more money than you’re making.
  • If you’re unsure, ask for references from previous employees to make sure it’s a valid job opportunity.

Landing the Job Interview

So you’ve aced your application and gotten through to the next stage of your job hunt – well done! Now, it’s time to land the job interview. Since it’s a remote job, there’s a good chance your interview will be remote too. Make sure you land the remote interview by preparing as much as possible beforehand:

  • Send your CV and other relevant materials to your recruiter in advance
  • Research the company ahead of time
  • Practice answering common interview questions beforehand
  • Test your internet connection and make sure your computer is running smoothly
  • Dress for the part – even if your recruiter can only see you from the waist up, you’ll act confident if you feel confident

To land a remote job interview, you have to prepare like you would for an in-person interview. Sure, you might be being interviewed through a screen, but your confidence will still play a huge part in securing the job offer. It’s your job to prove why you’re perfect for this opportunity.

Transitioning to a Work-from-Home Job

If you’re already working for a company that you would love to keep working for, working from home is still a possibility. Try asking your boss if working remotely is a possibility for your working arrangements and turn your in-office job to an at-home job with flexible hours. These three strategies will help you make your case:

  • Make your case by explaining the benefits that come hand-in-hand with remote work, like productivity, fewer distractions and better energy levels.
  • Cite the stats – 86% of remote workers feel more productive working at home than they do in the office, gaining back 35 minutes a day due to fewer unwanted interruptions.
  • If your boss still needs convincing, negotiate an employment agreement and suggest a trial period – like one day a week for a month – to prove that you still produce your best work while you’re telecommuting.

Once you’ve switched from in-office work to at-home work or landed your new work-from-home job, you’ll have to transition into working from home. Working from home requires discipline; to maintain a healthy work-life balance and look after your mental health, you have to create boundaries between your work life and your home life. Try these helpful tips to make the transition as smooth as possible:

  • Set a schedule – start work when you’re most productive and make sure you finish work at the same time everyday
  • Take breaks often – stay productive by taking regular breaks
  • Pick a workspace – set boundaries between your work life and your home life by setting up a home office

It’s hard to tell if coronavirus has marked the end of in-office workplaces altogether, but no matter what the future holds, it’s hard to ignore the benefits of remote work — if work-at-home jobs promise increased productivity, flexible work hours and fewer distractions, why wouldn’t all workplaces embrace the change? It’s time to make your move and embrace flexible working conditions. Negotiating to work from home isn’t as daunting as it sounds; if you come at the conversation with the right frame of mind and these proven strategies under your belt, your boss won’t need any more convincing. Now that you know what to do, there’s nothing stopping you — it’s time to find the perfect work-from-home job for you, all from the comfort of your couch.

GO BACK TO THE GUIDE

The 10 Best Working From Home Jobs That Will Earn You a Living

Everything you need to know about working from home, from the best jobs to the rewards.

Read More
Madalyn Trewin

Madalyn Trewin is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. Her passion for literature sees her writing, editing and reading, usually all at the same time.

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