Why Can’t I Find a Remote Job? 10 Common Mistakes

Are you asking yourself, why can’t I find a remote job? Frustration and self-doubt can set in when you are not getting hired. Do not give in. Keep positive.

There is always a reason, so it is time to sit down and be honest with yourself. Most people will make one or more common mistakes, so scroll through this list and identify areas you need to improve. It’s important to be self-critical.

Here are common mistakes when submitting a resume.

Not Tailoring Your Resume or Cover Letter

Most people will apply for a remote job by submitting the same resume and cover letter, which is a lazy approach.

It is important to tailor them to the role you are applying for. Recruiters can see when applicants are doing this, which does not signal that you are prepared to put effort into your work.

Not Including Important Keywords

Hundreds of people will apply for a remote job, so many companies use software to scan resumes and ensure applicants meet their initial criteria. AI software is becoming more popular.

If you have not included keywords from the job listing in your resume for personality traits, skills, and experience, then it is unlikely you will be shortlisted for an interview.

Not Applying for Enough Remote Jobs

Apply only for roles you are interested in and have the skills and experience for. Applying for only one job a week will not bring you success. You will have to apply for more jobs to increase your chances.

That said, you should focus on quality over quantity.

Not Standing Out Amongst Your Competition

Remember, you are going to be up against candidates from all over the world, and 99% of people will do the bare minimum to land a remote job.

How can you stand out amongst everyone else and get an interview?

This is where you have to be creative and think outside of the box a little.

Applying for a Copywriting role? Look through their website and submit a list of mistakes and areas for improvement. What about a Quality Assurance role? Download the software you will be testing and send them a list of bugs.

Not Researching the Company

Spend a little time reading through the company website – blogs and news sections can be a great place to start looking for information that you can use in your cover letter. Do you have skills that could add value to the employer?

Read about the work culture, as questions about this will arise in an interview. Spend time learning about the founders and the company’s story.

Information about a company can come in handy through the job application process and show you are keen to work for the company. Think about the value you can bring to the company based on your skills and experience.

Not Including Remote Job Skills

Employers will be looking for previous remote working experience, and if you do not have any, you need to consider the types of skills required.

Remote workers need to be excellent communicators, well-organized, and able to work with a team across various time zones. Having experience with Remote tools like Zoom, Slack, Trello, and Jira will increase your chances.

Consider the role and ensure you include the required remote working skills. Most people applying for their first Remote job will not think of this, so it is a good opportunity to stand out amongst other candidates.

Unable to get hired after an interview? These will be common mistakes.

Not Answering Key Questions Correctly

When under pressure, it is easy to lose track of thought and not answer questions fully. Take a breath, think, and smile before answering any questions. The interviewer is not expecting an instant response.

Before the interview, take 5-10 minutes to consider what questions the interviewer might ask. From experience, the first interview will be with the recruiter/HR, who will ask questions about work culture and remote working skills, as mentioned above.

The second and subsequent interviews will revolve around the role and your experience. Questions will be asked to determine whether you have the knowledge they are expecting.

Bear this in mind when preparing for the interview.

Not Enough Experience

There is not much you can do about this. If the company is looking for someone to fit the role, they will have higher expectations. Some companies are also looking for a candidate they feel can grow into it over time.

Where possible, learn new skills to make yourself more employable.

Your Personality Does Not Shine

Being nervous can prevent your personality from being accepted in the interview. Smile, engage with the interviewer, and keep a friendly tone where possible. Talk as if you were having a conversation with a work colleague.

Talk like you are keen on the role and working with the company.

This leads me to why people do not find remote jobs.

Not Showing Enough Interest

Make an effort to prepare for the interview by having questions written down. Share why you want to work for the company and what value you can bring.

Do not be fake; show interest and excitement about the potential of working for them. Body language and facial expressions are another sign that the candidate is uninterested in the role.

So, the next time you ask yourself, “Why can’t I find a remote job?” Be honest with yourself and look through this list of common reasons.