How to approach remote job hunting in 2023

1 in 6 employees now work from home permanently with recent analysis from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reporting that a further 28% of workers had a "hybrid" week, combing home and office.

There are so many benefits to working remotely. You can choose where in the world you want to work from, you don't have to commute, you can save money, and it can be good for the environment.

But working remotely full-time isn't for everyone. You have to be strict with your time, accept that you won't have the same social aspects as working in an office, and be good at managing your own workload.

If you are ready to take the leap, here are our top five tips for approaching remote job hunting.

1 . Consider if remote working is for you

Most of us have had to experience some level of remote working within the past four years, and so will have an idea of what to expect.

Pros include:

• Less commuting time
• More flexibility
• Better work-life balance
• Higher productive

... and read some more reasons why the Escape team love the flexibility of remote working here.

Working from home, may have its downsides, depending on your work style, level of discipline and personal circumstances. It's important to consider what types of connections you need in the workplace, or whether you may find it more difficult to unplug if working remotely.

At Escape, we're big advocates for remote work, but also understand that working remotely isn't for everyone. Consider these questions to gauge whether being fully or partially remote is right for you:

• Are you comfortable working alone? And if you prefer to be around others, is there a coworking space you can use or can you get your in-person social needs through other activities such as volunteering or belonging to clubs or teams?
• Are you a great communicator? You will mainly be relying on Slack chatting or Zoom video calls, amongst other remote working tools. Think about whether this would suit you.
• Are you able to maintain a healthy work/life balance? Being disciplined when working where you're living means creating clear boundaries to avoid blurring the lines between your work and home life.
• What does a good remote company culture mean to you? You may have experienced different remote or hybrid working environments over the past few years, what is it important to you? Team syncs, annual retreats, an animal GIF Slack channel, the same as if in-person investment in personal development.

By thinking about these questions you should get a feel for whether a remote work is right for you.

2 . Finding remote roles

Remote working is here to stay, and more and more job options are available outside of the typical 9-5 'day in the office' format. Many roles will advertise if they are remote or partially remote, but it's always worth checking whether it's possible with the role you're interested in.

Think about whether you want to work remotely all of the time, or if you'd like the option of working remotely a few days a week. Before sending off your application, make sure you're happy with how remote the role will be. Some industries, such as tech, are more open to full-time remote work than others.

On Escape the City's job board, you can filter roles by how remote they are (100% remote, part-remote, predominantly remote or location-based).

Freelance or contract roles are more likely to be remote than in full-time employee roles. Consider whether this could be a route for you to explore. Freelance and contract roles can still be full-time hours, but you may not have access to company benefits.

If you want to work for a company in a different country, think about whether the time difference could be an issue.

3 . Show the employer that you're what they're looking for.

From reading the job ad, you should be able to get a good idea about what certain skills or experience an organisation is looking for. Make it easy for the hiring manager to find that information with the way in which you present your application.

A generic resume and cover letter won't cut it. Show the employer that you've read the job description, how your experience is relevant and will serve you in this position, and why you want to work for this company in particular.

For more tips to how to stand out, check out these additional resources:

• Alternatives to a cover letter to stand out
• 4 steps to build an amazing CV

4 . Show that you've got the skills to work remotely.

As it's a remote role, provide examples showing that you can work effectively autonomously. Show examples from your career to date where you've managed your time effectively and worked independently without supervision. Communication is also paramount in a remote role. Showcasing these skills will prove to the employer that you're trusted and capable of working remotely, especially if this is your first remote role.

5 . How to prepare for a remote interview.

If you've not had a remote interview before, the thought can be daunting. But treat it as you would treat a face-to-face interview, you need to be prepared.

Before the interview, take some time to get familiar with the job description. They're likely to ask you questions around the main skills required for the role, so have examples from your CV ready to share. This handy interview cliff notes one-pager will help you to list your skills and abilities and how they relate to the role and organisation you’re interviewing for. You can keep it with you on the day and glance down whenever you need a quick reminder of the key things you wanted to mention (and how awesome you are). 

Have answers prepared to show you can work remotely. Provide examples and evidence that you're capable.

Research the company beforehand. In the interview, you may well be asked why you want to work there in particular. It's a good idea to be prepared for this question.

Check your tech is working in plenty of time. Ensure the sound is working, and take some time to get familiar with the platform being used if you haven't used it before.

Remember that interviews are a 2-way street. The company, role and culture still need to be right for you, even if it's remote. Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer to be sure it's a good fit for you too.

During a remote interview, your body language is just as important as in a face-to-face interview. Try to look into the camera where possible so that it feels like you're making eye contact with the interviewer. Be as engaged as you would be in a regular interview. Find a quiet space with a good internet connection where you won't be interrupted.

If you're ready to go remote, take a look at our latest remote roles on the job board.