Most people in 2024 wish to get a remote job. Here’s the thing, though: NO employer will be willing to leave its company/organization in the hands of someone who possesses just the technical skills but lacks the soft skills. Unlike conventional on-site jobs, where your lack of soft skills such as communication may go unnoticed, a lack of such skills is a deal breaker in remote settings.
Many of us want remote jobs, but are you ready for the required dedication?
Any organization looking to hire a remote worker would want to be sure they are leaving their company in good hands and always request specific skills before your application can be considered.
At the I-Train Africa Skilled-For-Work Program, our first focus is to train African youths and women with soft skills that can support their ambition of working in a global/remote team.
I have four remote workers on my team now, and one thing I did right with my remote team was teach them soft skills that won’t make me scream my head off. I now have remote workers who need minimal supervision and can go ahead and deliver 2 weeks’ worth of tasks without speaking to me for that length of time.
Is this possible? Effective Communication, Collaboration, Coordination and use of project management tools.
I must confess, though, that it did not happen overnight. I had to change my model of just employing based on job titles and training young talents in-house.
These days, I can go weeks without being physically present with my staff, and I would be sure that the job would be done. 5 of the work skills we use are as follows.
1. Organization and planning
When you work from home, there are no colleagues to keep you motivated or managers to monitor your progress. You must maintain discipline through constant organizing, planning, and scheduling to ensure all your work gets finished on time. It may also be helpful to organize your daily tasks from most challenging to least challenging so you can complete more complex tasks when you feel most alert.
2. Communication Skills:
Effective communication is crucial for remote work, as it facilitates clear and concise interactions with team members, clients, and stakeholders.
You must be proficient in written communication, including emails, instant messaging, project updates, and verbal communication during video conferences and virtual meetings.
3. Tech Savviness:
Proficiency with technology is essential for remote work, as it enables you to effectively navigate digital tools and platforms for communication, collaboration, and project management.
Remote workers should be comfortable using various software applications, including video conferencing tools, project management platforms, and document-sharing platforms.
4. Self-Motivation and Discipline:
Working remotely often requires high self-motivation and discipline to stay focused and productive in a potentially distracting environment. You must set goals, stay on track, and overcome obstacles independently without relying on constant oversight or supervision.
5. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:
Remote work environments may present unique challenges and obstacles that require problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities to overcome.
As a remote worker, you should be able to identify issues, troubleshoot problems, and propose innovative solutions independently or collaboratively with team members.
By honing these employability skills, you can thrive in remote jobs and contribute to the success of your teams and organizations, regardless of their physical location.
Are they just listed on your CV, or can you exhibit it at work?
This is why we created the workplace foundational skills (WFS) program at the Skilled For Work Academy.
Use this link to view what the program entails and then enrol yourself, your loved ones, or a group of people in it today.
SKILLEDFORWORK
As Written By I-Train Africa In 2024