Remote work has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years. While it was already growing, the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to skyrocket out of necessity. However, many people are still working remotely thanks to the benefits it brings. For employers, remote work means reduced overhead, greater productivity, and happier workers. For employees, it allows for <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it" rel="noopener" target="_blank">greater flexibility</a> and the opportunity for a healthier work-life balance. 
But, the popularity of remote work has caused the job market to become somewhat &ldquo;saturated&rdquo; with potential candidates. Even if you have experience and skill, you might have a hard time standing out if you don&rsquo;t take a few extra steps. 
So, what can you do to get ahead in a candidate pool that seems to be ever-growing? How can you be the candidate a potential employer looks at and wants to interview right away? Let&rsquo;s cover a few effective and helpful tips that can make your remote work job search more successful. 
<h2>Understand Common Hiring Practices</h2>
More companies are hiring remote workers across the globe. Not only is it cost-effective for businesses, but it allows them to pull candidates from a larger talent pool, so they can ensure they&rsquo;re getting the best people for each role. You might be that person for a specific job, but it&rsquo;s important to understand the hiring processes of companies doing a lot of remote work. 
For example, some companies practice cluster hiring, where they recruit several remote workers from one specific area of the country. Some of the benefits of this practice for businesses include: 
<ul>
<li> Increased diversity</li>
<li> Greater inclusivity</li>
<li> Boosted collaboration</li>
<li> Better connection and communication</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Take a look at companies that might be looking for employees in your area. By showcasing where you&rsquo;re from and how close you are to the &ldquo;cluster&rdquo; you&rsquo;re looking for, you could stand out and become a part of a smaller pond of candidates, rather than competing against an entire ocean of prospective recruits. 
<h2>Leverage Remote Skills</h2>
Once you have an idea of what a company is looking for and how they&rsquo;re hiring, it&rsquo;s time to leverage your skills to fit the needs of a business that&rsquo;s going remote. The skills you&rsquo;ve built that are necessary for a specific role will always be important. However, leveraging skills that will help you stand out as a remote employee is just as necessary if you want to be desirable. Some of those skills include: 
<ul>
<li> Working independently</li>
<li> Maintaining productivity</li>
<li> Strong communication</li>
<li> Time management</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Including those things in your resume and cover letter will likely cause an employer to give you a second look. It can also help if you have some of the current in-demand skillsets for landing a remote job. Things like marketing, web design, HR skills, finance, and customer support are all trending right now in the remote world. While you don&rsquo;t need to be an expert in those areas, you might consider capitalizing on those skills if you&rsquo;re having trouble standing out from the crowd. 
<h2>Foster Strong Connections</h2>
One of the greatest benefits of remote work can also be a potential drawback, depending on the people involved. We&rsquo;ve seen great advancements in technology over the last several years. That&rsquo;s what has made remote work possible for so many people. In fact, <a href="https://telegramd.com/why-the-trend-toward-digitalization-is-a-great-equalizer/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">technology has become a great equalizer</a> in recent years, allowing businesses to level the playing field for disadvantaged and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-confidence-in-the-job-search-a-guide-fo" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">underrepresented groups</a>. That&rsquo;s great for employers as it allows them to choose from a more diverse group of candidates, but it also means more competition for recruits. 
The advancements in technology haven&rsquo;t just made remote work more accessible for everyone. They&rsquo;ve also made it easier for people to stay connected. However, some remote employees have a hard time feeling like they &ldquo;belong&rdquo; if they&rsquo;re not getting enough human interaction. 
You want to find a healthy balance that works for you from the start. As you&rsquo;re trying to network throughout your job search, don&rsquo;t be afraid to reach out to people and start conversations. If you get selected for an interview, prepare yourself for a video chat or phone call. Get comfortable using different modes of communication to connect with people, because you might never actually meet them face to face. 
By showing that you&rsquo;re comfortable using technology to communicate (and showing that you can use it well), you&rsquo;re more likely to stand out to a potential employer. No matter where people are working, strong communication in the workplace is essential. When you understand how to use technology to your advantage and know how to communicate across multiple channels, an employer will not only see you as a great team player, but a potential leader in the future. 
The rise of remote work is a good thing, but you&rsquo;ll have to reach a little further to stand out as a candidate than you would have five years ago. Thankfully, with a few extra steps, you can prove to any potential employer that you&rsquo;re the right person for the job, and stand out in your hiring pool no matter how many people you&rsquo;re competing against. 
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover more about opportunities that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>!&nbsp; </h4>
&nbsp;
<hr>

Content Contributor:
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is interested in better living through technology and education. She loves traveling to beautiful places and is frequently lost in a good book.

Discover the benefits and challenges of remote work and learn how to thrive in a virtual environment. Stay productive with our tips.

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search | Getting Hired

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search

It can be overwhelming to navigate the freelance market. Of the<a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/"> </a><a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/">3.38 billion</a> people in the global workforce, 1.57 billion are freelancers. It can seem like a wild world! But breathe. We'll tell you how to continue earning a good income by freelancing today. Feeling that "you are not alone" might be scary initially, but that is also an assurance. Why? Because we are in a gig economy.
Because you are in demand, because you have the skills, now you need a roadmap. This article will give you that and more. Let's go! 
<h2>Who is a Freelancer? </h2>
A better term for a "freelancer" is a "solopreneur." A freelancer does not work with just one employer or company but instead works independently on a project-by-project basis.
They're the cool cats of the working world, with the freedom to set their hours, choose their projects, and work from wherever they want. They're a little bit entrepreneur, a little bit artist, and their own bosses. 
<h2>The Perks of Being a Freelancer in 2023 </h2>
<ul>
<li> You have flexible working hours. You decide when you want to work. All you need to take care of is meeting deadlines. You are your boss (and can be in pajamas!)</li>
<li> You are location-independent, so travel and become a digital nomad! You can still keep that stream of income coming. You also save time and money on intercity travel.</li>
<li> You can undertake a diverse range of projects. This will also keep you interested and ward off monotony. </li>
<li> There is no limit to how much you can earn. The more work you take on, the more money you make.</li>
<li> You can have a<a href="https://www.gettinghired.com/blog/4539/benefits-of-remote-jobs-from-flexibility-to-work-life-balance-or-getting-hired"> </a>better work-life balance and more time for things you are passionate about. For example, 70% of freelancers, who were part of a<a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/"> </a>survey, said they were doing what they were for an improved work-life balance. There is a flip side to this too. You can overwork yourself and have weekend deadlines. You should know where to draw the line. </li>
<li> No workplace politics!</li>
</ul>
 
<div><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kyvEK13SR1GPfeOh4zeg"> </div>
<h2>10 Tips to Navigate the Freelance Market in 2023</h2>
<h3> Find Your Niche</h3>
Being a Jack or Jill of all trades might not work in your favor. So instead, pick a niche and become an expert at what you do. This will help you stand out from the crowd and get you gigs constantly. 
<h3>Look Up</h3>
Not many understand the importance of having a positive attitude toward freelancing. Stay positive, have a good attitude, and nothing can stop you. What do we mean by a good attitude? Let's explain that with an example.
Let's say a client rejected your assignment without an explanation. Taking the rejection to heart might not work out well for you. If you understand they are rejecting your work and not rejecting you, you can deal with it better. Ask for detailed feedback and move on! 
<h3>Networking</h3>
Not all freelancers are comfortable with going out and talking to people. But that is not all that we mean by networking. Networking today can also mean having an online presence, interacting with people online, and posting on platforms like LinkedIn to get to know others.
You can also get to know people at events that are not meant for that purpose -- say, story sessions or open mics. 
<h3>Consistency</h3>
You may have to start small, but the important thing is to keep going. Don't slack off because you do not have someone to oversee your work. Self-discipline is the keyword! 
<h3>Upskill Constantly</h3>
Learning and growth should never stop. You can never know everything. Having that modesty and a curious mind will not only help you increase your skill level but also help you stay relevant. For instance, if you are a writer, take a course in a different writing genre.
Take a grammar assessment. Learn another language. 
<h3>Build a Good Portfolio</h3>
Have a portfolio ready of what you can do, what you have done, and a brief about yourself. Having a website is a must today. Build one and upload your articles there. 
<h3>Choose Strategically</h3>
In the beginning, you may take up anything that comes your way to make a buck. Change that with time. Choose what you are interested in and what also pays well.
What tasks would look good on your portfolio? What would you really enjoy working on? 
<h3>Set Your Goals</h3>
One of the biggest mistakes most freelancers make is to work without a goal instead of towards one.
The plan could be anything. To work with 100 clients in 5 years. To have USD 10000 to travel. To save up for retirement. To have x number of followers. To become an expert in your field. This would help you get some perspective. It will also keep you motivated. 
<h3>Seek Mentorship</h3>
There are people in every profession who have been there and done that. Seeking their advice can help you avoid making the mistakes they had. They can guide you when you are stuck, help you network, and more. 
<h3>Bonus</h3>
<ul>
<li> Collect client testimonials and showcase them wherever you can. People trust other people more than ads. </li>
<li> Have a blog (text, audio, or video), even if you are not a writer. For example, if you are an SAP expert, write thought leadership posts on that. Show that you know what you are doing. </li>
<li> Lastly, ALWAYS deliver. Meet deadlines. Understand the brief. And exceed expectations. This helps in cultivating trust. </li>
</ul>
 Challenges are another essential thing you need to be aware of while navigating the freelance job market. Brace for those. Expect the worst and prepare for that so you are not caught off guard. 
<hr>

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover more about opportunities that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>! </h4>

Are you a freelancer with a great set of skills? All you need is a roadmap to navigate that market. We've got that for you.

Navigating the Freelance Market | Getting Hired

Navigating the Freelance Market

Congratulations! You sent out your resume, <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/5-ways-you-can-make-a-lasting-positive-impressionitive-impression-at-a-job-interview" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">nailed the interview</a>, and you have successfully landed your dream job. It can be an incredible feeling to get a new position, and you deserve to pat yourself on the back!&nbsp;However, for many people, that excitement can wear off as their first day of work approaches, and it can be replaced by fear and worry. It is perfectly natural to have first-day jitters, but we are here to tell you that there are ways to stay calm and enjoy the experience. 
If your new job is about to start, then these tactics can help you to be comfortable and more confident on the first day. 
<h2>Start Preparing The Day Before</h2>
 Some people get more nervous than others when it comes to trying something new. If you know that you will inevitably get nervous when you approach the office that first day, then it may be a wise idea to start mentally <a href="https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/first-day-new-job-preparation/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">preparing yourself the day before</a>. Think about some of the aspects that get you nervous and practice getting through your anxiety. For instance, if you fear that you may be tardy on your first day, then spend some time planning your route and even practice driving it. The idea is to get to work early so you aren&rsquo;t rushing and you can make a good impression. Just don&rsquo;t try to get there too early, or you may end up sitting in your car for 30 minutes, and the nerves could build up again.
&nbsp;
Another good idea is to plan out what you intend to wear on your first day. Dress appropriately for the position but wear something that makes you feel good. That could be a brand-new suit or a lucky collared shirt. Just make sure that it matches the dress code. Lay your outfit out now, so you don&rsquo;t need to rush in the morning.
&nbsp;
Finally, make it a point to get <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/7-tips-for-employers-to-support-self-care-for-emp" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">adequate rest</a> the night before your first day. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep so you can wake up feeling mentally refreshed. If you are already nervous and you fear that you will have trouble falling asleep, then you may want to <a href="https://www.zocdoc.com/blog/your-guide-to-creating-the-right-bedtime-routine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">tweak your bedtime routine</a>. Go to bed at a decent time and avoid eating a heavy dinner that could create digestive issues overnight. Avoid staring at your phone as you lay in bed and instead consider a relaxing activity like reading your favorite book. You&rsquo;ll be asleep in no time. 
<h2>Know What To Expect</h2>
 The next step is to mentally prepare yourself so that you can be sharp when you arrive at work on your first day. You will likely be subjected to a lot of new information as you go through the onboarding process. Prepare to <a href="https://asana.com/resources/first-day-of-work" rel="noopener" target="_blank">learn a lot</a>, including the company policies, an overview of your initial responsibilities, the tools you will be using, and the login information that you will need to remember to access them. 
&nbsp;
You will likely meet a lot of new people. Don&rsquo;t worry about remembering every name, as that will come over time. However, if you are typically nervous about meeting people and introducing yourself, then you can make it easier to break the ice by researching your colleagues ahead of time on LinkedIn. Proper&nbsp;research will give you discussion topics, and it will be a lot easier to match faces to names and remember those names.
&nbsp;
While every first day will be a bit different depending on the company, one thing that you can count on is that you&rsquo;ll likely be busy. If you aren&rsquo;t prepared, then you may quickly become physically and mentally drained. You can prevent those negative feelings by making it a point to <a href="https://www.stanley1913.com/blogs/how-to-guides/how-to-stay-energized-the-whole-day" rel="noopener" target="_blank">stay energized throughout the day</a> by drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy lunch, and packing a healthy and energetic snack, like almonds. Coffee can also help but try not to overdo it, or you could experience a crash later in the day. 
<h2>Calming Your Jitters</h2>
 If you prepare for your first day, but you are still very nervous, then there are several tactics that you can try during the day to keep your nerves at bay. When you get a moment alone, consider some deep breathing exercises. By focusing on your breathing, you can decrease your heart rate and slow your racing thoughts. One of the easiest exercises to remember is the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">4-7-8 method</a>. This is where you inhale as you slowly count to four. Then, hold your breath for seven seconds. Finally, slowly exhale for eight seconds. Repeat that exercise until you feel better.
&nbsp;
It is also a smart idea to use positive affirmations to build yourself up if you are feeling scared. Remind yourself that this employer hired you for a reason and that you are the best person for the job. Think about why you wanted this job in the first place and why it is your passion to do what you are doing. This little pep-talk can be key to rebuilding your confidence.
&nbsp;
Finally, if you know yourself well enough to know that you will have jitters, then consider having a friend or family member on standby that you can call during a break. Talking to someone you trust for a few minutes can give you the confidence that you need to go back to work and take on the rest of your first day.
&nbsp;
In the end, if you are nervous about your first day at work, then know that many people feel the same way. Consider the tips and advice described here, and you can start your new position with confidence. 
&nbsp;Looking for a role or changing careers? Register <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank" title="Register Today!">here</a> to apply for available roles with our partners!&nbsp;&nbsp;
<hr>

Content Contributor:
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is interested in better living through technology and education. She loves traveling to beautiful places and is frequently lost in a good book.

Start your new job confidently by preparing the day before, knowing what to expect, and staying calm.

First Day Prep at a New Job | Getting Hired

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Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search

Navigating the Freelance Market

First Day Prep at a New Job

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