Since the pandemic hit, there has been a significant increase in the number of people working from home. According to Statista, more than 30% of Canadian workers were working remotely in March 2021. It’s a growing trend that’s impacting many roles in numerous industries. So, no matter what your skills and talents are, there may be a remote job for you.
However, working from home isn’t right for everyone. This guide explains the types of skills needed to land a job working from home.
what skills are essential for remote work?
While working from home may seem like a great opportunity, it’s not the ideal work setting for everyone. Take the time to examine your skill set to determine if a remote job is the best option for you. Here’s a look at the five skills anyone considering a work-from-home job should have.
1. time management – Working from home means that you don’t have a supervisor looking over your shoulder all day. You must be able to manage your time well and complete assignments on time.
2. self-motivated – It can be difficult to motivate yourself when working from home, especially if you have a flexible schedule. It’s important to have a high level of self-motivation if you’re going to work from home.
3. organized – Organization is a must when working remotely. This is especially true of hybrid positions because you will be taking material back and forth between home and the office.
4. tech savvy – You must have efficient technical skills if you want to work from home. This means having experience using online work platforms and video conferencing applications.
5. communication – Having good communication skills, especially written communication skills, is necessary when working remotely. You must be able to efficiently communicate with your supervisors and coworkers via email or other online platforms.
6. planning – Strong planning skills are a necessity if you’re going to work from home. Since you won’t have a supervisor or manager looking over your shoulder and keeping you on track, it’s vital that you’re able to plan your own schedule and develop a strategy for getting your work done. This skill is especially important if you have a lot of flexibility in your schedule. If this is the case, you need to create a schedule that allows you to complete both your personal and work duties on time.
7. independent worker – When working from home, you need to be a self-starter and an independent worker. Without other workers in the office to keep you on track, you must be able to keep yourself motivated during the day. Additionally, you need to be able to evaluate your workload and prioritize which duties you should complete first and which ones can wait until later.
8. teamwork – Don’t think that just because you’re working from home that you won’t be part of a team. In fact, there’s a high likelihood that you will work with a group. In some cases, some team members work remotely while other employees work from home. This can make collaboration more difficult, which makes it even more important to have strong teamwork skills. When working remotely, you must have the ability to work independently yet still stay connected to the team through various communication methods.
9. critical thinking – One of the most important skills is the ability to be a critical thinker. While you can easily email your supervisor or manager if you have any questions throughout the day, the reality is that you could end up waiting hours to get a response. This factor makes it crucial that you can efficiently analyze your workload and any questions you have and determine how to move forward while waiting for a response.
10. strong work ethic – Work-from-home jobs are not ideal for those workers who require constant supervision or who like to cut corners. Instead, it’s crucial that you have a strong work ethic. When working from home, you are responsible for getting your work done and for putting in the hours. You won’t have a manager there to make sure you put in a full day of work. Without a strong work ethic, it’s only a matter of time until you find yourself struggling to complete your workload, and you could even jeopardize your position with the company.
11. adaptive – Change in the workplace is just a normal part of life. This could include a change in technology, a change in work processes or a change in company policies. When working at the office, you are able to be part of the change and see it in action. However, when working from home, these transactions are not always as easy. You must be very adaptable, so you can easily transition through these changes without the one-on-one support you may receive in the office.
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