In today’s constantly advancing landscape, remote work quickly becomes a fundamental job market division. While this flexibility opens opportunities for job seekers worldwide, employers do not seek to hire just “anyone” because they understand that working remotely requires more than knowing what to do. They are usually more interested in how you do what you know. Why? The reason is that how you do what you know explains how you will thrive in remote work environments. This means that being equipped with just tech skills (the technical know-how of your career) is not enough to make you stand out; you need to highlight your soft skills (personal attributes that reflect how you work) in your resume/ during your interview.
In this article, we will explore 4 soft skills that will make you stand out as a top can.
- Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication skills are at the centre of top skills remote work recruiters look out for when hiring because it is essential that you can articulate your ideas clearly and concisely, either verbally or in written forms. Remote work thrives on effective communication. Understanding the different ways to communicate as highlighted by I-Train Africa in their article tagged “4 ways to communicate in the workplace effectively” is vital because your other team members are probably spread across different locations and time zones. In addition to knowing how to communicate, you must also be able to use communication tools such as email apps, slack, etc.
To communicate efficiently as a remote worker, you need to
- Keep your message as straightforward as possible
- Understand the different message tones and how to use them
- Know the best way to communicate with individual team members
Showcasing excellent communication skills will easily position you as a strong candidate.
2. Digital Literacy: As a remote worker, your toolkit includes various software and digital tools. Employers want candidates who can adapt to new technologies quickly and troubleshoot fundamental tech issues, not the ones who would constantly nag and complain about the slightest problem. Navigating certain apps such as collaboration tools like Miro, Airtable, Google Workspace, or project-specific software is a huge bonus.
3. Teamwork: Effective collaboration among team members ensures productivity and success, even without face-to-face interactions. It is like the glue that holds teams together. In a remote work environment where interactions happen on screens, teamwork is a strategic asset.
4. Accountability: Being a remote worker means there would be no physical external supervision, and you must take ownership of your tasks and results. This includes being open about progress, delivering your work as promised, being willing to go above and beyond, and not waiting to be reached before submitting your tasks.
In the remote work era, employers look beyond technical expertise to evaluate how candidates can navigate the unique challenges of virtual environments. You can be a valuable asset in the remote job market by developing the four above mentioned skills. Understanding these skills and how to present them will give you an edge.
Are you confused about where to start with developing these skills? Start with I-Train Africa Workplace Foundational Skills, a 3-year tested curriculum and learning process that embodies you with these employability skills that will position you as a top candidate regardless of your field of interest.
Use the link below to get started 👇👇👇