FlexJobs Offers Tips to Secure a Flexible Job in 2015
Boulder, CO (PRWEB) January 13, 2015 -- In response to the positive U.S. job market report issued last week and predictions that hiring in 2015 will surpass that of 2014, FlexJobs has compiled a list of key tactics to help job seekers looking for legitimate, flexible work opportunities. FlexJobs itself, which specializes in remote and flexible job opportunities, experienced a 34 percent growth in all flexible job postings across more than 100 job categories over the last year (Dec. 1, 2013 through Dec. 1, 2014). A “flexible job” is defined as a job that has a telecommuting, flexible schedule, freelance, or part-time component.
“As the overall job market continues to strengthen, employers will need to find creative ways to entice the best talent, and flexible work options are bound to be part of the mix," said Sara Sutton Fell, Founder and CEO of FlexJobs. “We expect to see continued growth in remote job opportunities, but competition for these types of positions also remains high, so job seekers need to hunt and prepare strategically to be successful in their search.”
Tips to improve the search for a flexible job:
Know which career fields offer the most flexible jobs. Based on the Flexible Job Index, a monthly tracker of listings in the FlexJobs database, the following career fields regularly offer a high volume of flexible and telecommuting jobs: medical and health, customer service, sales, computer & IT, administrative, education and training, marketing, research, writing, and nonprofit. Job titles like consultant, case manager, sales representative, writer, engineer, marketing manager, account executive, interpreter / translator, and developer are some of the most commonly found when searching for jobs that offer remote work.
Re-visit the resume: Refresh standard approaches to tried-and-true job search tools. A resume should list your most marketable skills and consider using different resume formats. Highlight skills and experience that match flexible work, like previous telecommuting experience, excellent email and phone communication skills, and self-management.
Be active on social media: Create, update, and maintain social media accounts to connect with others and share employment goals. Social media is a two-way street: it gives the job seeker a controlling voice, but can also provide a platform for clients or past employers to endorse certain skills and talents.
Target flex-friendly industries: Target industries that have strong prospects for growth in telecommuting and flexible jobs. Check out companies that support flexibility, like these 44 companies that are diverse and flexible, these 77 military-friendly employers, these 58 best places to work, and our Guide to the Best Companies for Flexible Jobs.
Update networking contacts: Double-check that email addresses, phone numbers, job titles, etc. are correct. Add new contacts made from the holiday season and send follow up notes. When you’re considering a flexible job, your online professional reputation can be even more important (especially if you want a remote job), so be sure to polish up your LinkedIn profile.
Practice phone interview skills: To prepare for most telecommuting job interviews, bring your phone interview skills up to speed. This is especially important for those that have been unemployed for a period of time.
Research companies: Dig into their history, mission and goals. The more passion and understanding you can demonstrate about what they do, the more likely they will want to connect.
Move quickly: Technology has increased the speed of virtually everything, so apply as quickly as possible when a new flexible job opportunity is spotted and be prompt in all communications.
Learn a new skill: New skills and experiences are great to add to any resume. Pick up a new skill by participating in a new activity, taking classes, or enrolling in online learning opportunities. Focus on highly-sought-after skills for flexible jobs, such as technology, writing, graphic design, research, customer service, sales, and consulting.
Use job services that specialize in flexible job types: Companies like FlexJobs, Freelance Writing Gigs, and others provide a more targeted database of jobs for your search and can help take away some of the guesswork and legwork.
Interested in finding flexible work? Check out FlexJobs’ upcoming Webinar: Your 2015 Job Search Plan for Flexible and Virtual Jobs.
To request additional information, please contact Kathy Gardner at kgardner(at)flexjobs.com.
About FlexJobs
FlexJobs is the leading online service for professionals seeking telecommuting, flexible schedule, part-time, and freelance jobs. With flexible job listings in over 100 career categories, and opportunities ranging from entry-level to executive, freelance to full-time, FlexJobs offers job-seekers a safe, easy, and efficient way to find professional and legitimate flexible job listings. Having helped over one million people in their job searches, FlexJobs has has appeared on CNN, Good Morning America, Marketplace Money, and many other trusted media outlets. FlexJobs is also a proud partner in the 1 Million for Work Flexibility initiative, which seeks to unite people advocating for work flexibility.
Kathy Gardner, FlexJobs, http://www.flexjobs.com, +1 (203) 253-9531, [email protected]
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