How to fix the mistakes you are making in your remote job search

You can’t treat your remote job search like a traditional job search and expect to get the same kind of results. You will encounter some familiar job search elements, such as sending your resume out to employers and waiting for weeks to get an answer when you are in a remote job search. But there will be many differences between the two processes.

However, unlike in-office job openings, remote job openings are open to candidates from all over the world. This means you have to fight with a competitive pool several times for a local in-office job if you want to win an interview. Here are a few mistakes you must avoid in your remote job search to be successful:

Applying for too many jobs

Never sacrifice the quality of your job applications for quantity. Most applicants use their weekend off to apply to every remote job opening they see online. You may even have experience creating five-minute resumes to apply for 10 jobs a day. However, your job search is likely to be less successful when you spend more time searching for new jobs than perfecting your job application for a selected few jobs. Be selective about the jobs you apply for. Don’t apply for every remote job under the sun just because you want a job. Consider the kind of work you enjoy and find fulfilling.

Not keyword-optimizing your resume

Once you have narrowed down the few remote jobs you want to apply for, it is time to customize your resume for each of those positions. You can use your master resume template to select the experiences and skills that are ideal for each job. Refer to the employer’s job description and note down the keywords they have listed. You will need to incorporate these keywords into your job application to really stand a chance of winning.

Not being digitally savvy

You can’t just send out your resume and cover letter via email and expect a recruiter to want to meet you. Did you know that 80% of recruiters search for applicants online before calling them for an interview? If you have not made your online presence and job search ready, you don’t have much chance of getting noticed. If you are working remotely in a creative field, you can start sharing related content on social media. Once you have enriched your accounts with related keywords, you can add links to your social media on your resume. The same goes for your LinkedIn profile. Polish your LinkedIn profile so that hiring managers can find you easily.

Not sourcing your own leads

Imagine you are a blogger. Your job search primarily relies on applying for jobs shared by your favorite influencers on social media, or your favorite blog writers. It isn’t wise to just use one source of job postings when you are on a job search. Besides, the job listings that get advertised by influencers will already have a large competitor pool. Instead, rely on your own skills to find new opportunities. We have previously shared an article explaining how you can find unadvertised job openings, which will be very useful for you.