In the wake of the digital age, the workplace as we know it has undergone a significant transformation over the past few years during the pandemic. One of the most notable changes is the shift towards remote work. As more job seekers look to work from home, new questions tend to arise. 

How is communication best handled within a remote work environment?

In a remote work setup, effective communication is the cornerstone of both productivity and collaboration. Instant messaging platforms such as Slack allows for real-time conversations while video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams enable face-to-face interactions that create a sense of connection despite geographical distances. Check-ins and virtual meetings are an integral part of the remote work communication strategy. These interactions ensure that everyone stays connected and aligned with the team's objectives. This can be in the form of stand-ups regarding progress updates on behalf of weekly team meetings.

As a remote worker, proactive communication is essential. This means responding promptly to messages and meeting invites but also reaching out when you need to clear something up. Understanding tasks and expectations can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal. Effective communication within the context of a remote working environment relies on the right tools, regular interactions and taking on a proactive approach.

What are the typical work hours required for a remote job?

The allure of remote work often lies in its potential for flexible hours. However, the degree of flexibility can be different from one company to another. Some organizations may operate on a traditional schedule and require you to be available during standard business hours. This is usually the case when the department or the organization's customer base are based in a specific time zone. Despite working remotely, you will need to align your work hours with the company's operating hours to ensure effective collaboration and communication strategies.

On the other hand, some companies might offer complete flexibility, allowing you to choose your own work hours. This kind of arrangement which is referred to as a "results-oriented work environment" focuses on the output of the work that is being rendered. In these setups, there may be 'core hours' or meetings that you are expected to attend. It is crucial to clarify the expected work hours during the application process to ensure that the role suits your lifestyle and work related preferences.

What are the challenges involving remote work?

While remote work offers numerous benefits, it also presents unique challenges. A common issue is the feeling of isolation. Without in person interactions, remote workers can sometimes feel disconnected from their colleagues and the company itself. Another challenge that you might experience is the difficulty of separating work from personal life. When your home is also your office, it can be hard to 'switch off' at the end of the day. Regular social activities can help deal with feelings of isolation and creating a dedicated workspace at home can help you establish a boundary between work and personal life. 

Is remote work usually associated with freelance, contract or a full-time position?

Remote work includes a range of employment types including full-time, contract and freelance requisitions. Some companies might offer full-time remote roles with benefits while others could potentially hire remote workers on a contract or freelance basis. Understanding the prerequisites of the job is important as it directly impacts job security, benefits and your taxes.

In this era of remote work, continuous skill development is key. Platforms like YouTube and online course sites like Coursera or Udemy provide a vast array of educational content. By leveraging these resources appropriately, it can help job seekers stay competitive in this currently evolving job market. Transitioning to remote work can be significant but with the right information, it can offer a rewarding and flexible way to work. 

Are you ready to start searching for a remote job? 

The shift towards remote work is changing our approach to the workplace and the way employees interact. Despite its current challenges, the benefits make it an attractive option. Understanding key aspects like communication, work hours and continuous skill development can help you thrive.

You felt like you did a great job during the interview and the job is just within your reach. Your future employment could rest in the hands of others including your professional references. When you thought the hiring process could not get more nerve-wracking, it does. What do references mean these days? They add a layer of trust and depth to your job application and it helps to make you stand out as a potential top candidate. Employers see this step as an essential tool that ensures that they bring in individuals with the necessary skills that are in alignment with the company's values and culture. 

What do references mean within the context of a job application?

A professional reference means someone who can speak to your qualifications, experience and skills. These are usually former employers, supervisors, colleagues or even clients who have worked with you and can testify to your unique abilities and strong work ethic.

What do references mean for you? Including references on your job application serves to strengthen your candidacy. It is like offering a glimpse into your professional story through the experience of those who have witnessed your contributions during your career related journey. These testimonials reinforce the information on your resume while giving potential employers a 360 degree view of what you can bring to the table.

What do recruiters want to know during a reference check?

It is essential that you know what employers are looking for when they do reference checks. Here are some reasons why a recruiter will reach out to your references:

To Verify & Assess Your Relevant Skills For The Position

What do references mean exactly when it comes to showing off your skills? This could involve the recruiter asking your references to elaborate on specific examples where you demonstrated top notch technical skills and how you applied them successfully to various projects at your previous position. Recruiters are very interested in soft skills like communication abilities, leadership qualities and problem-solving capabilities. They might ask your references to recount instances where you exhibited excellent teamwork or led a project successfully while focusing on your ability to collaborate effectively.

Performing Fact Checking

When a recruiter calls a reference, they are not just looking to hear good things about you as a potential candidate. They are conducting their research in order to determine if how you have represented yourself aligns with your previous employer’s performance assessment. Conducting a reference check also allows recruiters to ask questions about a concern that has arisen during the hiring process. 

Evaluating What You Are Like As A Coworker

Who you list as a reference matters. Recruiters want to find out the reference’s relationship to you in order to gauge the quality of the data you provide. This is why you should provide professional references who you have worked with or who directly managed you because this helps recruiters understand what you are like within the context of the workplace. Keep in mind that when a hiring company makes a call to your references, it is almost always a good sign. A reference check typically means a hiring manager is nearly ready to extend an offer to you and they want one more confirmation that you are the right fit for their team.

What types of questions do employers ask your references?

Preparing your references in advance with potential questions and discussing your strong points is a great idea when it comes to ensuring a successful reference check. The questions below are designed to provide the recruiter with a well-rounded view of your abilities, work ethic and personality traits:

• Please describe the quality of their work and how their contributions were made on behalf of the team?
• How would you describe their strengths and areas for improvement?
• How does the candidate handle stress and can you provide examples of how they manage challenging situations?
• Can you describe their communication skills?
• Would you describe the candidate as someone who takes initiative?
• Do they manage their time and meet deadlines?

How long after a reference check can you get a job offer?

If a recruiter has requested references, this is an excellent sign! You might be wondering what references mean when it comes to how long you have to wait to get a job offer? The time frame between a reference check and a job offer can vary. This is based on several factors including the company's internal process, the number of candidates they are considering and the complexity of the role. Typically, reference checks are one of the final stages of the recruitment process just before a job offer is sent over. You will often hear back from a potential employer within a week or two after completing the reference checks. Keep in mind that this is not a hard and fast rule. Some companies might move more swiftly, possibly getting back to you within a few days especially if they are eager to fill the position.

It has been a few weeks after you interviewed for your dream job. Then you receive that dreaded email response: “We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position.” You make the best attempt to handle the news positively, but you start wondering why you did not get the job. We will go into more detail regarding how you can ask for feedback. Hearing what went wrong can help you as a candidate pinpoint the areas that you need to work on, whether it is your body language or your ability to come up with real life examples in a thoughtful manner.

How To Ask For Interview Feedback

Your best bet is to approach the individual that you spoke with early on in the interview process such as a recruiter or Human Resources associate rather than the hiring manager. Hiring managers are busy people and they are not required to provide you with feedback. A recruiter may be more willing to provide feedback since they are responsible for providing a positive experience for all candidates.

You can start off by sending that person an email as soon as the decision has been made. Say that you are appreciative that you had the chance to interview and that you are sorry that you did not get the position. Ask if they could spare a few minutes of their time for a phone call in order to discuss the areas where you could potentially improve. Moving the conversation from email to the phone is important since the recruiter will be more candid on the phone.

How To Ask For Feedback: Entry Level

When you are aiming for an entry-level job, you are more likely competing against a diverse array of other potential candidates. Whether or not the recruiter will be willing to offer you advice comes down to your likability. If you made a good impression, they will be more likely to help as you try to get your career on the right track. You want to come across as someone looking for guidance and advice. 

Ask open-ended questions, such as:

• How can I position myself in order to be the top candidate for this type of job in the future?
• If I apply for a similar role at another company, what would you recommend in terms of focusing on developing specific skills?

In response, you should show appreciation for the recruiter sharing their insights. 

How To Ask for Feedback: Mid-level

At this stage of your career with several interviews under your belt, you probably have a good idea of whether or not the interview went well. If the rejection takes you by surprise, you are going to want specifics in terms of a critique.

• What feedback do you have for me as a potential candidate?
• Are there any interview strategies you would recommend?

How to Ask for Interview: Executive Level

It becomes easier over time to solicit feedback the further along you are in your career. If the recruiter is hesitant to talk, ask any references that you have if the hiring manager spoke to what they were asked. For instance, if they asked why you held several jobs within a five-year period, this should clue you in that they were potentially apprehensive about your work experience.

What To Do If You Are Met With Silence

Try following up in a week or so if your initial request goes unanswered. Follow up three times and if you are not getting a reply? Some companies have a policy against giving feedback for liability reasons in case it turns into a PR issue or an EEOC discrimination claim.