Society’s embrace of a more flexible work style is clear, with companies continuing to adapt to remote work and managers tweaking their leadership styles. A job seeker study by ZipRecruiter shows that nearly 40% of new jobs follow a hybrid model and 18% are fully remote.
Although there are many benefits to having the ability to work from anywhere in the world, it’s essential to have the necessary skills to succeed in this unique type of work environment. Employees must continue to be productive, take ownership of their work, and fulfill additional responsibilities.
If you're considering starting a remote job, you'll need to make sure you have the skills to adjust and thrive. Here are the top 5 business skills needed for remote workers in 2023.
#1 Digital Organization
For many people, organizing their digital records is a real challenge. Remote work, though, is especially reliant upon your ability to keep your files organized. Keeping good digital records of receipts, expenses, income, and more is crucial. By creating a system to keep everything organized digitally, you’ll be able to quickly find what you need and have proof of any expenses paid by the company.
Consider using a cloud-based platform to organize your files and group them together for easy access. Using a platform to manage business books, whether for an e-commerce business or a small side hustle, will also help keep things arranged properly. Find the best way for you to keep track of everything— even if that differs from your coworkers' organizational systems.
Not only can having a good digital filing system save you time and stress but can also improve efficiency and productivity. With categorized files stored correctly, you’ll likely feel more clear-headed and put together.
#2 Remote Work Ethic
If you’re looking to find a job where you can work remotely, you’ll need a strong work ethic. There are a variety of these types of jobs, particularly in the business and finance sectors, like remote bookkeeping jobs and remote tax jobs to name a few.
Self-motivation, responsibility, and accountability for your work will be needed, especially since you won’t be surrounded by coworkers or bosses to keep you on task. Manage your time effectively and ensure that your work is completed on schedule.
Furthermore, proactive communication is even more important in a remote work environment than in an office. It’s likely that you will need to put in extra effort toward communicating to ensure that everyone is on the same page and expectations are managed. Misunderstandings can happen easily, so even if it means overcommunicating, it’s better to do so than to miss deliverables or cause confusion.
Ask your colleagues what best practices they follow when it comes to communicating and find out what form of communication they prefer so that you know how to get a quick response from them in urgent situations. Even though remote work may sound more laid back than working in an office, certain skills like communication often require more intentional attention.
Without a strong work ethic and dedication to your job, you may struggle in a work environment outside of an office.
#3 Understanding Tax Laws
Tax laws are complicated for just about everyone, but they can be an extra hassle for remote workers. They get especially confusing for those whose company headquarters is not located in the same state where they live. State tax laws vary based on where you live, so it's important to be informed and avoid paying out-of-state taxes if not required by law.
Take time to read up on everything that you need to know to ensure you’re complying with the law and avoiding any penalties. Find out what kinds of deductions and write-offs are available, such as mileage reimbursement or other work-related expenses. If you need to, talk with your company’s HR team or even with your coworkers if they've gone through the tax process there before.
After taking these steps you still aren’t confident in filing or are too overwhelmed, consider reaching out to professionals who can guide you through the process and make sure there aren’t any errors.
#4 Online Networking
Networking is an important skill for any remote worker, but it's particularly important in 2023 as the workforce becomes more and more independent. With people working remotely from wherever they can find WiFi, your professional network is often a lifeline and can help to find great opportunities for growth.
Without the benefit of in-person meetings, it's important to expand your professional network online.
LinkedIn is one of the most common ways to connect with current and former colleagues, industry experts, and potential employers. Posting regular updates and engaging with your network can help you stay top of mind and open doors for new opportunities. You can also attend local meetups to meet others in your network, as well as join Facebook groups that focus on topics related to work and career advice.
Even though it can be a bit intimidating, don’t be afraid to ask those you meet at an in-person meetup if they’re on LinkedIn or another form of social media so that you can connect with them.
#5 Training and Skills Development
Employees should always be looking for opportunities to improve their skills, but for remote workers, ongoing learning and new skill development is even more of a priority. With the digital landscape continually evolving, it's essential to stay up to date with the latest trends and tools.
Look for free or paid training and skills development offerings such as webinars, articles, eBooks, fairs, and conferences. Free online webinars and courses through findcourses.com, mass open online course platforms like Udemy or Coursera can be great, informative resources. You can even find courses specifically created for remote workers. Take advantage of training courses through your company, professional associations, or organizations that cover topics from office productivity software to leadership skills.
Learning new skills and earning certifications can help you thrive as a remote worker, advance your career, and even make a difference in your salary. To management, taking the initiative to acquire new skills shows an eagerness to learn, even while working remotely, which can set you apart from other job candidates.
Clearly, remote work is here to stay, and having the right skills is essential to do well in a changing, less strict work atmosphere. Even though certain skills are similar to those needed for in-office workers, remote workers must take these skills to the next level. Understanding remote tax laws and putting attention to digital organization, work ethic, networking, and professional development is necessary not only for proving yourselves to managers but also succeeding as a remote worker. Doing so can set you up for a job that provides a more balanced schedule to enjoy.
