7 must-have remote work skills for workers in 2022

7 must-have remote work skills for workers in 2022

Learn more

Next page

1. Independent

Many workers dream of the personal freedom that comes from working remotely. Ditching long commutes and proper shoes in exchange for a home office and fuzzy slippers are definite perks. Some may even relish the idea of not being surrounded and bothered by pesky co-workers. However, many of these same people may not consider that a 

Next page

1. Independent

workplace without coworkers (at least those who are there in person) can also be lonely. A few days of uninterrupted productivity can get old and turn into an exercise in daily solitude. There’s no one to break up the workday with casual conversation, or teammates to rely on if you need help in a pinch. Collaboration is filtered through a computer screen.

Next page

2. Collaborative

Companies should value an independent worker who does not need a lot of handholding to get the job done. But the trade-off may become efficient yet overly siloed workers who fail to communicate or cooperate on projects. It can quickly become a mess. The counterbalance to too much independence is an equally collaborative spirit.

Next page

2. Collaborative

As much as remote workers must be independent, they should also remain willing to work well with others to achieve the common goal of the organization. This means leaving egos at the door, participating in virtual meetings or team exercises, listening to the ideas of others, and occasionally working outside their official job description for the greater good.

Next page

3. Self-motivated

When sitting at a home office faced with a blank screen and a whole day stretching ahead, there has to be something that gets a person going.  With no coworkers – or a boss – around all the time, remote employees must possess an internal drive to be productive and achieve goals, even when no one is there to cheer them on or monitor them.

Next page

3. Self-motivated

An employee that needs an authority figure to constantly tell them what to do can become a burden. You want to look for employees who have a certain self-awareness of what their own motivating factors are.

Next page

4. Organization

In addition to being a self-starter, having little supervision means employees will have to be organized. This includes managing their projects, communication threads, and most importantly, their time. The truth is that no one appreciates a disorganized co-worker. They never have what is asked for; they are always late on assignments; they don’t 

Next page

4. Organization

follow processes. It is a drag on the whole team, unfortunately. There are countless platforms that companies use to streamline and centralize project management and communication.  Furthermore, a seasoned employee should develop their own system for staying on top of their tasks and responsibilities – whether that 

Next page

4. Organization

is using digital tools or a good old-fashioned notebook. In short, each worker needs to have their own “method to the madness.”

Next page

5. Strong writing skills

Working remotely relies heavily on written communication. An employee won’t have a co-worker sitting nearby to ask questions or run ideas by. It’s not possible to pop into a manager’s office to have a quick face-to-face conversation. From email and text messages to Slack to Microsoft Teams chats, there are a host of 

Next page

5. Strong writing skills

platforms and methods to keep team members connected and work humming along. Therefore, your remote employees should be able to effectively communicate through writing – this includes proper grammar. This is especially true if an employee is client-facing, but there should be a standard for internal communications as well. 

Next page

5. Strong writing skills

No one wants to read an email riddled with errors or incomplete information.

Next page

6. Tech-savvy

Speaking of apps like Slack and Teams – they won’t be much help if someone doesn’t know how to use them, or the myriad tools that allow businesses to operate virtually. Successful remote employees must be comfortable with technology – period. They should be able to easily jump on a Zoom call, respond to a question posted in an online 

Next page

6. Tech-savvy

group thread, or edit presentation notes on Google docs. Remote employees should also have up-to-date equipment, including a reliable computer, internet, and phone.

Next page

7. Adaptability

Every professional knows that sometimes you get those days when a project suddenly goes off the rails or there are multiple fires to put out.  Anyone who has spent time working from home also knows that on top of these work stresses, you might also have to deal with kids at home, the dog barking, or the internet going out. Unfortunately, these 

Next page

7. Adaptability

things happen. Yet just as a skillful professional navigates unwelcome issues with flexibility and focus, effective remote employees aren’t thrown off by everyday hiccups at home.  Whatever gets thrown at them – in a remote setting – they have sufficient time and project management skills to triage problems, adapt quickly, and 

Next page

7. Adaptability

get the job done. Adaptable employees can be counted on, and this will build trust and resilience for the whole team.

More

Read

10 New Job Fields for Women in 2022

10 Steps to a Resume That Will Get You Hired

10 Important Career Tips for Women

See More

See More

See More