The Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Remote Job

Have you applied for several remote jobs but haven’t heard back? Here are some mistakes you might be making.

There’s been a significant rise in remote opportunities in the last few years. However, it has also been a hot keyphrase on search engines as people from all corners of the globe are vying for the same roles, making it more challenging to get the job.

What’s more, the application strategies that used to work may not be as effective now. This article will cover some mistakes to avoid and increase your chances of landing a remote job.

1. Not Doing Your Research About the Company

This step is vital for two main reasons:

1. The first one, and likely the more important reason, is that you want to know if your online employer is a good fit for you. Forcing yourself into a role or company you are not genuinely interested in will only lead to misery and a short-lived stint with the company.
2. Secondly, it helps you to show a potential employer that you have some knowledge about the company and the role you’re applying for. It shows that you’ve taken the time to learn about them and that you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity. This alone can help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

So, what are some things you should research about a remote company or role?

• The short and long-term goals of the company.
• What the company culture is like.
• If there are any specific requirements for the role you’re applying for.
• What your role would entail on a day-to-day basis.

2. Failing to Add Remote Work Skills to Your Resume

If you already have experience working from home, make sure to add these experiences to your resume. This can be anything from taking on freelance work to the technical skills that enable you to work remotely.

If you don’t have any relevant experience, there are still ways to show that you have the skills required for a remote position. Some examples include:

• Working independently with little or no supervision.
• Being self-motivated and able to stay on task.
• Having excellent time management skills.
• Being a strong communicator, both written and verbal.

This is essential because remote employers are looking for candidates with the suitable skillset and mindset to succeed in a remote job- individuals who can learn fast and adapt to the specific role and this type of working arrangement. You can boost your chances by taking these online classes for remote work skills.

3. Applying for Too Many Roles

In a desperate effort to land a remote position and considering your multiple failed attempts, you might be tempted to widen your net and apply for as many roles as possible in the hopes that one of them will come through.

This might seem like a good strategy at first, but in reality, it will reduce the quality of each of the numerous applications you submit and, therefore, your chances of being offered the role.

A better approach would be to take your time, research each company and role thoroughly, and only apply for the ones you’re most interested in and qualified for. This way, you can put your best foot forward and significantly improve your chances of getting the job.

4. Failing to Tailor Your Resume to Match the Job Descriptions

As a follow-up to the previous point, applying for too many roles simultaneously often leads to copy-pasting the same generic resume for each job, which is a huge mistake.

Try to tailor your resume to each role you apply for to match the job description as closely as possible. If you need some assistance, you can leverage resume builders to help get the job done with more ease. Lastly, keep in mind that you are competing with talents from all over the world. So, make sure your resume is the best it can be before hitting that submit button.

5. Focusing on the Remote Aspect of the Job

Why do you want this remote job? In your excitement to land a remote job, you might get caught up in the fact that you can work from anywhere in the world and let that be your sole focus. You could become a digital nomad, working from the beach in Bali or a little café in Puerto Rico.

While that’s all well and good, it shouldn’t be your only focus or, at least, try to resist the urge to tell your potential employer about your grand plans during your application.

When applying for a remote job, you should be selling yourself and your skills first and foremost; the remote aspect of the job should be secondary. For the most part, the hiring manager would need to know that you’re the right person for the job and that working remotely would only contribute to your success in the role.

6. Focusing on Jobs Out of Your Location

If you are a travel enthusiast, it’s only natural that you limit your search to remote jobs out of your current location, as this allows you to explore new places while working. In addition, considering that some employers are eager for employees to return to the office, it only makes sense that you focus on opportunities as far away from home as possible to avoid commuting to work.

However, besides the fact that you might overlook some outstanding opportunities in your area, you should also know that many remote job listings have location restrictions. These companies typically add location requirements to meet specific state employment regulations, licensing requirements, tax restrictions, or avoid costly travel expenses.

That’s because having a remote job does not necessarily mean you never have to leave your home; you could be required to travel for onboarding, company retreats, or client meetings. With these in mind, make sure you read the job listing carefully before applying and consider the opportunities in your area.

Get Closer to Landing Your Dream Remote Job

By avoiding these common mistakes, you will increase your chances of being hired for a remote role and, more importantly, find one that’s right for you.

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the job right away; ask for feedback from the employer, learn from your mistakes, and improve your application. You will eventually find the ideal remote job with enough effort and perseverance.