Remote Work - Does COVID help or hurt military spouse employees?
By Cachet Prescott, PHR, SHRM-CP
In 2020, organizations were forced to abruptly shift to remote and distributed workforces without any idea of how long this arrangement would last, and almost one year later, they continue to navigate the murky waters of work life in the midst of a pandemic.
As we inch closer to life beyond COVID-19, companies continue to solidify plans for what the post-pandemic workforce will look like. Many say that remote work is here to stay, and companies are creating long-term plans for remote work in some capacity (e.g. hybrid or remote-first options).
Remote work is nothing new for many military spouses. With the flexibility that our lifestyles demand, many spouses know what it takes to thrive in the virtual terrain. But despite the early adopter advantage, competition has drastically increased with other eager candidates seeking more flexibility in their careers. And now, as companies broaden their recruitment horizons through flexible work arrangements and embracing location diversity, the wider net being cast will capture more interested and qualified candidates along the way.
So, how can you maintain the competitive advantage as a remote work candidate? Here's what you need to know about standing out in the virtual crowd:
Embrace virtual relationship building to broaden your remote-focused network. Given current limitations for socialization, in-person networking has come to a halt but that shouldn't stop the show! Continue connecting and relationship building online by:
- Utilizing social media. The internet offers an array of platforms that are perfect for making connections, and where you choose to dwell will depend on your goals and who you want to connect with. For instance, Instagram can be a great place to interact with other creatives.
- Linking up on LinkedIn. In the vein of social networking, LinkedIn is a great hub for all types of professionals. Through connections, follows and groups -- peers, thought leaders, recruiters who specialize in virtual recruitment, other remote professionals, remote-friendly companies -- you can use this space to engage in relevant conversations, ask questions, share information and learn about remote career opportunities (which you can find on LinkedIn's job boards). And military spouses can get LinkedIn Premium for free!
- Attending virtual networking and recruitment events for remote professionals. Explore opportunities to connect through remote-friendly events through internet searches, social media and through your network. For instance, Workplaceless hosts a monthly virtual networking event for those in the remote workforce.
Target your search and your materials. Nowadays, the internet is overrun with remote work opportunities, and you might be tempted to apply for whatever positions come your way. Resist the urge.
Quality trumps quantity in a virtual job search, just as it would in a traditional one, both in the positions you pursue and the effort you put into each application. Narrow your search to the jobs you desire, and tailor your materials for each position you apply for; generic, one-size-fits approaches don't effectively do the job. When appropriate, consider including a short video to your application to add a unique touch and to highlight a skill in a creative way.
Also, search for positions on remote job boards such as FlexJobs and RemoteBliss; on general job boards by searching for terms like “remote” or “virtual”; and directly on company websites to see what's available.
Demonstrate your remote working value add. Remember, you're not the only person vying for a WFH (work from home) position, and the competition can be fierce! Make your application stand out and show ‘em what you're made of by:
- Being clear and consistent in your personal brand[1] , and make sure your online presence aligns with that brand.
- Following all requirements for applying. This includes cover letters, if a position asks for it. Though it may seem unnecessary or optional, this may demonstrate whether or not you're able to follow directions so don't fail the test! Again, the goal is to stand out, not count yourself out.
- In addition to sharing your job-related knowledge, skills and abilities, highlighting skills that will lend to your success in a virtual work environment: transparency, ethics and remote-friendly communication to name a few.
In a recent article on the Doist blog, Courtney Seiter, Director of People at Buffer shared:
“many folks mention that they have experience working remotely or a passion for remote work as the way of the future. The next step that really stands out is to share what remote work allows you to do. Are you more focused? More creative? More communicative? How will those qualities display themselves in the work and lead to great outcomes for the company you hope to work with?”
- Not overdoing it. Well-intentioned candidates sometimes make the mistake of eagerly sharing how much they want to work remotely. My advice: don't. Again, value-add is the focus in this competitive market, and an overly eager approach only serves as a turnoff -- if prospective employers think this is your primary motivation for applying.
References
Courtney, E. (December 22, 2020). 8 Remote Work Predictions for 2021. FlexJobs. Retrieved from https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/remote-work-predictions/
Gobran, A. (n.d.). The 8 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Applying For a Remote Job. Doist. Retrieved from https://blog.doist.com/remote-job-application-advice/
Guest Author. (March 14, 2018). How to Make Your Remote Job Application Stand Out. FlexJobs. Retrieved from https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/make-remote-job-application-stand-out/
Psychology-driven business strategist and mindset coach, Cachet Prescott helps stagnant entrepreneurs, professionals and organizations shift from stuck to clear, bold action. She owns Shift Matters where she creates space for others to think, focus, plan and do … with clarity and confidence.
Cachet's advice and insights have been featured on Careers in Government; GI Jobs; Military Spouse Magazine; Blue Star Families; The Muse; Thrive Global; The Huffington Post; Introvert, Dear; DailyWorth; Fast Company; FlexJobs; International Business Times (IBT); LearnVest; Monster and Recruiter.com.
A double certified HR professional, Cachet also holds a Master's in Sociology from the University of Georgia; a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Fairfield University; and a Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Virginia.
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