Right now, the world might seem a different place. A lot of things that used to be done in person are now carried out online via emails or Zoom calls, but that doesn’t mean they are harder! Covid-19 has shown us that many of us can work from home and, as seen from this blog title, can apply for jobs from home too! Below are our top tips for applying to jobs remotely, to show you that it’s no harder than if everything were in person…
Finding the Right Job
It may seem obvious, but of course you are going to want to find a job that suits you! There’s no point in going through all the effort of finding a job, applying and then doing the interview only to find out that you don’t actually want it, so take your time searching. Platforms online such as StudentJob are perfect ways to help you find the right job for you by searching with a set of filters.
So, in many ways, the initial process of job search doesn’t really differ from how we would usually do it, but make sure that you know what the job is offering! If you or your household is currently shielding due to government guidelines, make sure the job clearly states that you will be able to do all of your tasks from home. Some of our top work-from-home jobs include tutoring, blogging or even coding!
Another great tip is to use social media to your advantage! LinkedIn is a great place to start when starting your virtual job search, especially as a student as many companies are looking to hire graduates for internships.
Apply like Normal!
Unfortunately, you can’t just click on the job you want and instantly become employed (although, we wish you could). Much like finding a job remotely, the application process is almost identical to when the world was a (slightly more) normal place. Once you’ve found the right job for you, you will most likely have to upload a CV and cover letter. These are two written pieces that detail your qualifications and personality so that the employer can see if you will fit into their company.
When writing your CV and cover letter you must make sure to tailor them to the job. A company will be able to sniff out a generic CV and cover letter from a mile away, so make sure to spend some time researching the company so you can write things that are relevant to the role. To help you with these, check out this free CV builder to help you create the perfect CV!
You must also remember to clear out your social media of any unwanted posts; these include images or even tagged posts. Employers can easily see what you are posting online if you do not have the correct privacy settings, so make sure to check your pages and remove any photos of you from that drunk night out! With this being said, your social media page doesn’t have to be empty – you are human after all!
Finally, make sure to attach all the relevant documents to your application! It can be way too easy to forget!
The Interview
The interview. This is the stage that differs mostly now that this process is all carried out online and is arguably the most important. Hopefully, after uploading the perfect CV and cover letter, you will be asked to attend an interview, which will most likely be in the form of a video call. But just because you don’t have to leave the house and travel to an office doesn’t mean that you should put in any less effort, you should be putting in more as you will have more time to spare!
Firstly, like any interview, make sure you are prepared. Just like when you applied to the role, make sure you research the company and have at least two questions to ask towards the end of the interview. This step is vital as it shows that you are motivated towards getting the job and have a genuine interest in the area… well at least we hope you do!
Next, make sure that you are dressed to impress! It may seem like because you are at home you don’t have to make yourself look smart, but that is far from the case. Make sure to dress smartly from head to toe in a shirt and smart trousers or skirt, although maybe you can skip the shoes. You might think it sounds simple but dressing smartly makes you think smartly too. Also, take a quick look at your background and make sure that it doesn’t look like a mess, you don’t want your interviewer to see an unmade bed or clothes thrown on the floor.
Whether your interview is a group interview or a one-on-one, with these simple tricks you will be sure to ace the interview.
Once you have completed these steps you will be well on your way to getting that job! Just remember to think and act like it is a normal application process and you will have no problems whatsoever. Goodluck and happy job hunting!
Written by Rebecca Hart, an Online Marketer at StudentJob UK. If you are starting your job search but not sure where to start, then check out StudentJob. Our application tips will help you create an effective CV, cover letter and help you smash interviews!
