Want to Work Remotely? Here Are the Leading Skills You’ll Need

For many tech, customer service, and knowledge workers, remote work is the holy grail of work environments. It often allows for highly flexible schedules. The absence of a commute saves time and money. Some remote workers even choose vacation destinations for their mobile workplace.

There’s no denying that remote work is here to stay, but the question remains: are you ready for it? Whether you’ve yet to try your hand at a remote position or struggled with remote situations in the past, these top skills for remote jobs can help. 

First, we’ll look at technical skills that can save time and optimize your workflow. Then we’ll consider soft skills you’ll need to cultivate to maintain a good work/life balance.

Top Tech Skills for Remote Workers

Almost every flavor of remote work requires a computer and an internet connection. We’re going to assume you long ago mastered computer basics, like document creation and email. But you may or may not be familiar with the specific programs and program types listed below.

Digital Communication Tools

Communication may be a soft skill, but in the digital workplace, you must facilitate that communication with plenty of tech. Email is still the foundation of digital communication, but you may need to learn communication and collaboration platforms like Asana and Slack. Become familiar with all the features to get the most out of them.

Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams are synonymous with remote work. They’re necessary to simulate real-time, face-to-face communication. Familiarize yourself with basic utilities like raising your hand, muting and unmuting, and sharing your screen. 

Then, give attention to good digital communication etiquette. This involves things like maintaining a clean, distraction-free background; muting and unmuting at appropriate times; keeping your camera on; and not eating, walking around, or doing other distracting behaviors while on camera. 

Graphic Design

Many remote jobs include some graphic design; maybe you’re a web designer or a social media manager. Especially if you are a freelancer, you’ll need to upkeep your own website and social media. Visual communications platforms like Canva make that easy. The free version gives you access to many templates that can help you develop and maintain a consistent brand image. The Pro version unlocks tools that adapt your designs to different media automatically. 

Scheduling Tools

Scheduling tools come in many forms. You might simply use a digital calendar to keep up with appointments and deadlines, or a checklist like Tasks or Keep.

Or, you might decide to take things further. Zoom, Facebook, and various website plugins allow clients to book appointments. Buffer and the Meta Business Suite enable scheduling social media posts nearly a month in advance, and email managers like Mailchimp and Constant Contact let you schedule newsletters and automatic replies.

Advanced Document Manipulation

It’s not uncommon that you may need to change a document type to adjust its functionality. Imagine a client sends you a printed manuscript to edit; you’ll need to use an image-to-text converter to make it an editable document. Or, maybe they need a small logo or image to fill a billboard. You may need to use Adobe Illustrator to vectorize a JPG image.

Top Soft Skills for Remote Workers

Tech skills are easy to learn from tutorials, but soft skills—personal qualities and personality traits—can take a bit longer to master. Once you know what you need, you can put forth daily effort to make these soft skills a habit. When you do, you’ll notice that your work goes smoother and you’re able to maintain a better work/life balance.

Organization Skills

Good organizational skills are the lifeblood of remote work. It’s up to you to know when your deadlines are, which email had your project details, and where all the necessary tax information ended up over the year.

Using the tech described above can help, but you’ll need to get in the habit of using it—always putting appointments in your calendar right away, syncing paper and digital calendars, inputting data into bookkeeping apps, etc. 

Albert Einstein once said, “A cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind.” So, if you’re struggling to stay organized, try tidying up your work area each day.

Time Management Skills

When your schedule is flexible, it is up to you to be disciplined and get your work done on time. Even if your schedule varies, set your working hours at least a few days in advance. Institute rituals to begin and end your work day, effectively separating work from life in the same space. If your mind is wandering, don’t waste time web-surfing. Try taking a walk or a coffee break to regain your focus.

Self-Care Skills

It’s easy to let work encroach on family life when work takes place at home. Set boundaries. Also, take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat right, and exercise. You’ll be better prepared to tackle your work day and the life that follows it. 

When you practice these and the skills listed above, you’ll set yourself up for success in remote work.