New year, new goals!
If you’re looking to transform your life in 2024 by shifting to a remote working lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. With the rise of technological advancements and changing work cultures, remote work has become more popular than ever.
Now, you are tasked with a seemingly daunting challenge – how to become a remote worker and actually make this transition?
Let’s break it down into 6 proven steps and share our – Collab Fabrik’s remote team’s – experience and insights with you.
Collab Fabrik is a remote talent hub connecting European employers with talent in the Caucasus.
From one side, we work with the European companies that need remote talents. They want to access professionals from diverse backgrounds, better suiting their budget. Not only sourcing and hiring, we also help manage and build remote teams. So, we know what modern remote employers are looking for and how you can match their requirements.
On the other side, we also provide remote career opportunities for people living in the Caucasus region who want to expand further than their country borders without relocating. We connect them with the right employers, find matching projects and support successful collaboration.
From 20+ remote teams currently under our belt, most have shifted from years of traditional office work into the comfort of their homes. Others entered the workforce as remote workers and have successfully built their careers while working remotely.
Today, we approach this topic from different viewpoints, navigating you through the most important steps that will help you become a remote worker in 2024.
Burnout, getting bored with traffic and office politics, experiencing stress, wanting to be with family more… we know the common reasons that led you to the question, “How to become a remote worker?”
Understanding you perfectly in every challenge that you are faced with, we anyways want you to take a moment and reassure yourself that remote work is the right choice for you.
Why do we make you go through this psychometric check-up? Because the current world kind of overpromotes remote work, presenting it as a more careless and easy thing than it actually is. This ideal picture of remote workers doing work from the beach and travelling the world may create unrealistic expectations and lead to disappointment when reality kicks in.
Here are some facts, just to make sure you’re well-informed.
Yes, many stressors are alleviated when you are not required to go into the office every day. It’s less commute, flexible schedules, and more autonomy.
Still, it’s work with deadlines and responsibilities that can overwhelm you. 86% of remote workers report feeling highly exhausted. Around 31% say they are working more hours compared to when they were in the office. That’s because of more pressure from managers or employee’s own challenge of keeping a separate work-life balance.
On the other hand, if you are disciplined enough to manage your time and work-life balance and keep yourself motivated and productive while working from home, remote work can be a game changer for your life.
Particularly, 74% of remote employees report feeling happier. That’s because they have more time to spend with their loved ones or on their hobbies and interests.
Additionally, remote employees save an average of 40 minutes daily on commuting and $2,500 – $4,000 per year on transportation, lunch and other typical expenses when working from an office.
What we want to say here is you need to ensure you’re ready to adapt yourself to a new working environment to really reap its benefits. If you’re prepared to become your own boss and manage your own work-life balance, let’s dive into the next steps!
Among the top 8 traits that remote employers expect from their distant workers, clear written communication and critical thinking (ability to analyse issues without team brainstorms and in-person meetings) are the most important.
Other essential traits include discipline, time management skills and eagerness. Remote employees should be self-starters, able to prioritise and stick to deadlines without constant supervision.
If you want to know how to become a remote worker, prioritise developing these skills in yourself. Further, ensure your resume clearly reflects you have these traits and that you’re ready to demonstrate them in an online interview.
There is a concept of ESS (employee self-service), which allows remote workers to take care of their employment matters independently.
For instance, instead of having HR managers schedule and administer performance reviews for remote employees, they do self-evaluations according to a template provided by the company. Then, they discuss it with their direct managers in an online meeting.
You will have to adapt yourself to these systems and processes as you become a remote employee.
Other than that, you should shift to serving many of your own employment needs at a broader scale. That’s more about a mindset change rather than an adaptation of any specific system. You will likely have to self-train and keep informed about what is going on in the industry related to your professional skills and how it impacts and evolves distant work.
For some, that’s an overwhelming thought. However, if you’re seeking an answer to how to become a remote worker, you’re probably a solo learner and an independent worker. Accept this level of responsibility as a part of your new remote lifestyle.
Remote jobs have higher risks of fraud and scams. That’s why it’s very important to be careful when searching for remote jobs or freelancing opportunities.
When trying to find remote jobs online, we recommend you consider two options.
Source: Upwork
A remote hiring agency is an intermediary connecting remote employees with remote employers. The difference between finding remote jobs on your own and doing it with a remote hiring agency is the latter is more secure in terms of filtering employers and acting as a legal employer, mitigating risks and benefits for both parties.
Additionally, remote hiring agencies have a vast network of remote workers and employers. They provide much more diverse job offer options to their clients. You spend less effort and time finding suitable roles. Instead, an agency connects you with the matching employer, having all your relevant information (skills, prior experience, expected salary) in advance.
We are a remote hiring company with 3+ years of experience, currently managing over 20 remote teams that work from Armenia, Georgia and other Caucasian countries for European companies.
If you’re interested in how to become a remote worker fast, follow the below steps.
Lastly, we highly recommend you use every opportunity to join remote job communities – whether online or offline. These are the places to network and find more remote job opportunity announcements and tips.
You can also work on your personal branding, creating a strong online presence through professional social networks such as LinkedIn, Xing or by starting a relevant professional blog.
Joining virtual career fairs is another great way to find potential employers and network with remote professionals.
Additionally, working on your interpersonal skills and building relationships with your colleagues and clients is crucial for success in a remote job. As a remote worker, you become a mini business consisting of you and your skills. So, investing in strong interpersonal connections can lead to new opportunities and referrals.
How to become a remote worker has a quite uncomplicated answer: adapt, explore and connect.
Adapt to the new remote lifestyle, explore different work options and ways of finding employment. Connect with other remote professionals through online communities and networking events.
With a resilient mindset, willingness to learn and grow, and access to the right resources, you can successfully become a successful remote worker. At Collab Fabrik, we can leverage our remote recruitment agency’s experience and network to help you find your dream remote job faster!
