According to the third edition of McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey, 58% of Americans “reported having the opportunity to work from home at least one day a week. Thirty-five percent of respondents report having the option to work from home five days a week. What makes these numbers particularly notable is that respondents work in all kinds of jobs, in every part of the country and sector of the economy, including traditionally labeled 'blue collar' jobs that might be expected to demand on-site labor as well as ‘white collar’ professions.”
Since starting my career counseling practice several years ago, I have lost count of the number of people who have stated a preference for the option to work from home, even for just a few days a week. Increasingly, employers have been allowing for that potential and are more open than ever to allowing employees remote options.
Two years ago, COVID-19 thrust many of us into the position of working remotely and our ability to continue to be productive depended on our ability to quickly adopt skills in mastering online collaboration tools. Most of us have had to either learn a new skill entirely or deepen our proficiency in software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack, among others. Some companies and entire fields were more prepared than others – the tech industries and creative agencies were veterans to using technological tools to manage projects and foster creative collaborate – but most companies were caught flat-footed.
I am encouraging all of my clients – whether looking for work, considering a career change in the next year or fearful of a looming layoff – to review their resumes to ensure that they appear to be productive remote employees and, if necessary, poised for dynamic online collaboration. Below I have listed tools that you may already have but have never thought to list on your resume or LinkedIn profile. In some cases, you may have listed them on your resume and LinkedIn profile but not mentioned that you are, for instance, “accustomed to remote work” or “comfortable collaborating remotely on web design projects.” Never has there been a time when a remote-friendly skill set was more in demand.
See what skills below you have or would like to adopt to make your resume and LinkedIn profile more competitive. Watch YouTube videos or take online classes on websites like LinkedIn Learning to fully master the tools you are lacking but are growing in demand in your field. If COVID was a catalyst for remote working, let it also be a “kick in the a*#” you may have needed to prepare for the future of office work.
“If COVID was a catalyst for remote working, let it also be a “kick in the a*#” you may have needed to prepare for the future of office work.”
Teleconferencing Software Tools
Tools that allow teams to meet are the biggest rock in the jar of remote work. Your ability to master these tools should go beyond being able to click on a link and join a meeting. Learn to schedule a meeting, mute yourself if necessary, change your background, share documents, among other basic tactics. (If you are in a healthcare field, master the basics of HIPAA compliant tools. Portland-based Person-Centered Tech offers resources and training on offering HIPAA security compliance.)
Platforms:
Google Meet (previously Google Hangouts Meet)
FaceTime (only available on iPhone and iPad)
Collaboration Software Tools
Remote collaboration tools facilitate projects by providing a place to store and organize documents and images, communicate in real time, proof and revise documents, and otherwise foster productivity and file sharing. (I also include Work and Excel since they are widespread in their use, offer tools like “track changes” to facilitate multiple users and revision control, and do possess online versions that further facilitate the sharing and revision of documents. They also work fluidly with Google Drive.)
Platforms/Software:
Kanbans/Creative Collaboration Tools
Derived from lean manufacturing processes, kanbans are virtual boards that facilitate online collaboration, brainstorming, and scheduling. Trello is likely the most well-known, but there are a wide variety of these tools tailored for different types of collaboration. Some allow you to upload photos, make diagrams with virtual sticky notes, delegate tasks to specific team members, and send reminders.
Platforms:
Slide Creation/Presentation Tools
The ability to create standout slide decks and presentations has never been more important. Modern attention spans are limited, especially in remote meeting environments, and your ability to manage projects and lead others relies on your ability to inspire, motivate, and delegate. PowerPoint is the most widely used presentation platform, but Prezi and Keynote offer more dynamism and visual appeal. Presentation tools have come a long way, some offering data visualization and analytics, so the ability to master this skill is no longer strictly clerical or administrative.
Platforms:
Remote Collaboration Soft Skills
Below are just a few skills to help you make the case for remote collaboration chops.
Cross-Functional Team Collaboration + Leadership
This a recent resume buzz word and suggests that you are able to collaborate not just on an individual team but also with and among the members of another team. Some people may only have “Cross-Functional Team Collaboration” as a skill yet not the leadership piece. Whether you have one or both, be sure to mention it, especially in this time when balls are likely being dropped because teams that are concurrently working on projects the influence the outcomes of other teams due to breakdowns in cross-functional communication.
Team Facilitation
Add the word “Remote” to this if you have experience facilitating teams online, which is different than leading a meeting in the same physical space. Either way, you have experience making sure you’re encouraging input from as many individuals if possible (including the shy ones) and stopping the talkative types from taking over the meeting space. This skill has never been more necessary as it can really be easy for individuals with worthy contributions to shrink away, potentially losing valuable input and leading to demoralization and boredom among less-than-assertive employees.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict can occur on Zoom meetings but it is usually more subtle and passive aggressive. If you have skills in recognizing, mediating and resolving conflicts, you can make the case for how this helps you collaborate remotely since the cost of conflict is just as acute in remote work spaces as it in “real life.” The ability to avoid conflicts because you are able to successfully keep the lines of communication open among team members is a hallmark of leadership and collaborative prowess.
Delegation
In a close-to-perfect in-person workplace, people know what they are supposed to deliver and what timeframe it is expected. This is another function that is more challenged in a virtual workspace and relies not just on sophisticated collaborative tools but the ability to keep everyone trained and engaged with these tools. Delegation can be facilitated by these tools, but people can also get too relaxed or apathetic if someone isn’t holding them to account. This delicate balance is accomplished well by skilled delegators, so if you have mastered this skill, be sure to toot this horn loudly.
Online Collaboration
If you have experience collaborating with teams or even solitary individuals online, be sure to mention it. In addition to mastering the tools discussed above, give yourself credit for bringing projects to the finish line with team members in separate physical spaces.
Remote Work Experience
Give yourself credit for this skill even if it has been as simple as working from home once or twice a week. If you have the proven ability to continue to deliver in your work while working from home, coffee shops, or coworking spaces in Bali, you have “remote work experience.” Employers are looking for individuals (now more than ever) who are self-directed, deadline-driven and trusted to deliver without constant monitoring.
Digital Marketing Tools
Digital marketing tools are too numerous to list here, so I’ll focus on five main areas – content marketing, social media, website development, graphic design, and CRMs.
1. Content Marketing
Software Tools:
Skills:
Editing + Writing
Newsletter Creation + Distribution
Email List Management
Photo Manipulation
Content Management
Content Strategy
SEO Keyword Analysis
2. Social Media
Platforms:
Skills:
Social Media Content Management
Social Media Strategy
Writing + Editing
Video Editing
Data Analytics
Media Production
3. Website Development
Content Management Systems:
E-commerce Tools:
Software Languages:
JavaScript
HTML
CSS
AWS
Java
4. Graphic Design
Platforms/Software Tools:
Adobe Creative Cloud (Includes Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.)
Skills:
Logo Design
Photo Editing
Typography
Infographics Design
Visual Design + Storytelling
UI/UX
5. Client/Customer Relationship Management Tools (CRMs)
Platforms:
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Kristin Schuchman, MSW is a career counselor and author based in Portland, Oregon who works with creative and mission-driven professionals. She writes resumes and coaches individuals seeking support for career indecision, next steps, work re-entry, advancement, starting a business, and work-life-balance. She offers a free 30-minute Zoom or phone session and presently works with clients remotely. You can find her books The DIY Website Workbook and Jump Start: How to redirect a career that has stalled, lost direction or reached a crossroads on Amazon.