Online job service reports increase in employees working at home full time
Forty-two percent of the U.S. workforce is working from home full time. But, while companies of all sizes have embraced telecommuting amid the pandemic, job seekers’ focus has shifted toward larger and more resilient companies, reports FlexJobs, a Boulder, Colorado online job service.
In many instances Fortune 500 companies are leading the way when it comes to integrating remote workers into their standard hiring practices, with many shifting to longer-term remote work following the pandemic, report FlexJobs analysts.
Salesforce.com Inc., for example, is permitting all employees to continue working from home until at least July 31, 2021.
For the 2021 list, the online job service has spotlighted 20 Fortune 500 companies on its Top 100 Companies for Remote Jobs. The jobs these companies hire for span many career levels and fields, each offering some level of remote work, (from 100% remote to the option for remote work, or remote during the pandemic). Below are 10 of them.
1. Amazon,
2. Anthem Inc.,
3. Cisco,
4. Citizens Bank,
5. CVS Health,
6. Dell Technologies,
7. General Dynamics; General Dynamics Information Technology,
8. Humana,
9. IQVIA, and
10. Leidos.
“Despite changes to the workplace precipitated by the pandemic, this list of Fortune 500 companies that are embracing remote work shows just how far remote work options, and flexible work in general, have come,” said Sara Sutton, CEO and founder of FlexJobs. “Moving forward, she says flexible options will no longer be seen as merely a perk for employees. Large and well-known companies recognize that this type of work can be a part of a smart business strategy so long as they’re implemented in ways that support both employees and the goals of the company.”
The online job service’s career coaches advise using these five job search strategies:
1. Know what you want. One of the most important parts of creating a job search strategy is to determine not just what kind of job you want, but what type — full time, part time, freelance, remote, or a combination of on-site/ remote, for example. Do you want to work on weekends, or Monday through Friday?
2. Build your portfolio. Simply, a portfolio is samples of your work. It can include links to articles you’ve written, screenshots of a project you completed, a report you wrote, or a video you created, to name a few. For example, graphic designers will need examples of work they’ve created. Portfolios can also be a personal website.
3. Customize resume and cover letter. More and more companies are using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter qualified and unqualified candidates. Make sure you use keywords that are relevant to your title and industry in all online applications. Don’t upload any materials until you’ve verified the exact requirements, or else the online system may not be able to properly register them. Include reasons for why you want to work at this company and in this role. Tell them what they will gain if they hire you.
4. Ask for informational interviews. Informational interviews are a good opportunity to expand your network and potentially meet with people working at your desired company. However, an informational interview is not the time to ask someone for a job recommendation. It’s only to gain information and create a new contact.
5. Optimize your LinkedIn profile. Most recruiters are on LinkedIn. So, count on your profile being viewed by a prospective employer. Spend time on completing your LinkedIn profile so that all the sections are filled out and carefully edited so they contain pertinent information and facts. Similarly, make sure headlines and subheads beg to be read. When your profile is finished, keep it up to date so it will attract employers searching for your skills.
According to the online job service, additional strategies include using the right job boards and attend industry events (virtually and in person, if possible.)