What recent grads should consider when looking for remote jobs

Making the move from college grad to gainfully employed is tough no matter who you are and how many internships you’ve had. Navigating the workforce with little to no actual experience in the field you’re trying to enter can be extremely difficult, and it truly takes time to figure out. When you’re specifically looking for a remote job, it’s often even more difficult. 

Remote work has become something of the norm over the last year and a half, due to the pandemic and the need for people to be able to work from home or in an isolated setting. What this means is that the demand for these jobs has been higher than ever, and they’re much more difficult to obtain. But prior to COVID-19, remote jobs were hard to come by for a different reason: there weren’t nearly as many available as there are now, but they remained coveted among potential employees.

Working remotely changes a lot about the dynamic of a workplace—even morale—but it can certainly be a great thing for a lot of industries and fields. And while many people are feeling the fatigue of the pandemic, the switch to remote work has not been one of the fatiguing parts for most. It’s no wonder that these types of jobs are in high demand. 

For graduates, trying to find a remote job after graduation might seem like a daunting task, particularly in the post-COVID landscape. However, it doesn’t have to feel that way. There are things you can do that will potentially put you in a better position to get a work-from-home job.

Firstly, it’s important to have an idea of the best resources and databases specifically for these types of roles. Because of the evolution of the workforce and of technology, there are specific websites available for finding remote jobs, and popular job hunting sites, like College Recruiter, have expanded their search filters to make it easier to target remote jobs in particular.

As always, when applying for a remote job, be sure to highlight whatever experience and attributes make you a qualified candidate. And particularly pertaining to remote work, it’s important to include in your cover letter something that addresses your ability and work ethic as a remote employee. This will show an employer that you understand how challenging it can be to work from home, and that you are equipped to handle it. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that job interviews are going to be a lot different than you might be used to. Virtual interviews can feel less intimate and therefore it might be more difficult to get comfortable. Try practicing with a friend over Zoom, and as always make sure to research and prepare for the interview like you would for any other.

If you’re not sure which field you want to enter, rest assured that there are jobs that cater much more easily to remote work. Some of those jobs include copywriting, admissions recruiting at colleges, billing assistant work, and online teaching. Explore the landscape before applying to jobs to figure out what jobs might suit your skillset the most. 

One other thing to keep in mind when looking for a remote opportunity is that you’ll most likely need to invest in adequate technology, if you don’t already have it. A good Internet connection is absolutely essential, and a fast, efficient laptop will make doing any job at home much easier and less of a risk. After all, there’s nothing worse than not being able to work because your computer crashed.

At the end of the day, getting a remote entry-level job as a recent grad is a great accomplishment that can set you up for a lucrative career working from home. It’s a skill in itself that needs to be honed, but if you can be successful working remotely, you might never go back.

— Article by Sean Kelly, an analyst researching the latest industry trends for College Recruiter