How to Get a Job With Flexible Work Arrangements was originally published on Ivy Exec.
It’s no secret that what employees really want is flexibility. For many, flexibility is the most important perk – and most workers (67 percent) feel empowered to take advantage of such arrangements at their companies, according to the ADP Research Institute.
According to a 2022 report from Apollo Technical, 72 percent of workers prefer a flexible work model post-pandemic. The large majority don’t want to return to the office, and those who are being asked to are reconsidering their careers.
Many employers are finding unique and innovative ways to give employees more flexibility in (and out of) the workplace.
Five tips for finding a more flexible job
Follow these five tips for finding a more flexible job.
Search on remote-specific job platforms.
If you want a remote job, the best way to find one is by searching on remote-specific search platforms. Websites like FlexJobs.com exist for this exact purpose. You can filter jobs by the level of remoteness on top of ordinary filters like full- or part-time work, industry, and more.
There’s also a gamut of job platforms freelancers, gig-workers, and contractors—who are often remote—use to find work, such as Upwork.com, TopTal, Freelancer.com, and ever Fiverr.com.
Use filters or keywords on aggregate job sites.
If you’re using traditional job search platforms, you can typically filter your search to look for remote-only jobs. If you’re open to other flexible working arrangements, such as part-time remote opportunities, you may also be able to filter for that. On some sites, like LinkedIn, for example, you can create job alerts. This way, you’ll get notified by email every time a job with flexible work arrangements opens up.
Just make sure to narrow down your search with other filters, too. Since the pandemic, many companies are now offering flexible work arrangements. In fact, globally, 16 percent of companies are now remote—and that number is expected to climb. So you may not want to get alerted for every opportunity—just the ones that make sense for you.
Network with your remote-working friends.
Chances are that you know someone—or that you know someone who knows someone—who already has flexible working arrangements. It’s worth connecting with this person or these people to hear from them. For one, they may be able to offer you some pointers on finding or negotiating flexible arrangements. Or they might know of opportunities at their company and be able to direct you to the right people.
Networking is the number one way that people find jobs these days. Eighty percent of professionals find that it’s essential to their career success. And the more strategically you network, the more helpful it becomes.
Highlight skills that are attractive to remote companies.
As companies adapt to a new normal amid an ever-digitalizing world, they’re going to start seeking skills that weren’t always necessary before. They want to know not only that you can work in a remote environment but also that you can thrive in a remote environment. One way to let them know that you can is by highlighting the skills that you need to be successful in flexible work situations.
For example, video conferencing tools (like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams), online communication platforms (like Slack), and shared calendars and scheduling services (like Notion, Asana, Trello, Monday, Jira, and more) can all come in handy when you’re working away from your team.
Negotiate for flexible work arrangements during the interview process.
If you’re interviewing for a job, and you’re not sure whether or not the company is willing to let you work all or some of the time remotely, you can ask about it. Just make sure you plan ahead so you can negotiate well.
Think about what the employer’s potential objections might be—and any solutions you can propose to find a compromise. If, for example, you think that the employer could be worried that a flexible working arrangement would impact performance, be prepared to explain how you plan to keep productive.
If there are other employees at the company with flexible work arrangements, you can use them as a reference point. After all, you have science to back you up. According to Owl Labs’ 2021 State of Remote Work report, 90 percent of employees felt as productive or more when working remotely. You may suggest working out a compromise to accept flexibility in lieu of higher pay. Or you may suggest a trial period to prove yourself.
For more tips on how to get a job with flexible work arrangements, check out Ivy Exec’s guides on what to look for in self-proclaimed flexible work culture to how to set ground rules for working flexibly.
