Watonga Works - Remote Worker Training

Acquiring and performing a remote job requires mastery of a variety of skills. While training is available from a never ending list of providers, the Foundation humbly offers a free, self-paced, 5-part training program including: 

Career Exploration: Job fit screening & fields of interest

Skill Development: Soft skills & technology skills

Job Preparation: Job applications, resumes, cover letters & interviewing

Our program is based on the outstanding platform provided by FlexJobs. Throughout our training, we leverage FlexJobs content, and ultimately we encourage participants to consider using FlexJobs to find their first remote job! 

Also included: 

* Mentoring - Knowledge and advice from subject matter experts near and far!

* Resources - Essential online and hard copy tools, training and certifications.

* Training Logistics - In Person or Remote (self-paced)

Ready to Sign Up? Register today!

Participants are initially guided through a remote work screening process. Even if remote work isn't the best fit, all participants will benefit from this training program!

Remote worker positions are available across many industries with thousands of job titles. Participants are directed to multiple job and career sites to explore individual interests and work preferences.  

To enhance career exploration activities, the Foundation hopes to identify local resources specialized in personal assessment (interests, strengths, weaknesses), aptitude tests, and further exploration of fields of interests.

Remote workers need a specific set of professional skills best described by FlexJobs as the following: 

Digital communication skills: excellent verbal and written communication through digital communication tools.

Proactive communication: being comfortable speaking up, asking questions, asking for more or less work, etc.

Familiarity with remote communication tools: using effective digital communication techniques.

Self-motivation and focus: the ability to motivate yourself to work hard every day.

Time management, task management: understanding what your goals are every day and using time wisely to accomplish them. 

Growth mindset: embracing change and learning on a regular basis.

Workplace Professionalism: learn the behavioral do's and don'ts both in and out of the office. 

Remote workers need to be comfortable using a variety of technologies, especially when they are not working properly! FlexJobs describes this skill in the following way:

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Comfort with technology, troubleshooting: using basic troubleshooting techniques for when the Wi-Fi goes out, your computer unexpectedly freezes, or other common remote work bumps in the road.

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The first critical step is obtaining all available provider-specific instructions for the proper use and troubleshooting of their equipment. The second step is documenting a plan for the guaranteed future power outage or device failure. It will always be the responsibility of the remote worker to quickly notify the employer when work is interrupted (soft skills communication). 

The short list of equipment includes and is not limited to:

Backup Power - this is a special power strip with embedded batteries capable of powering computers through a minimum of 30 minutes. 

Internet Gateway - this might come in a variety of names, but this device is typically available from cable TV or telephone providers.

Router - this might come bundled with the above modem, and provides the ability to connect multiple devices to a local network.

Wi-Fi - this too might come bundled within the above devices, and provides the ability for wireless connection of multiple devices to the local network.

Computer - with the proliferation of personal computers in schools, most participants will be adequately familiar with the basics of a Chromebook or similar device. 

Applications - each employer will likely have a slightly different set of applications they use both internal to their company and externally with their customers and suppliers. For truly custom applications, the employers typically provide their own new-hire training. For more common, general purpose applications, employers will require at least a basic knowledge prior to being hired. 

Camera - while many computers come with a built-in camera, some remote jobs might require a higher end solution for video conferencing.  

Headset - when you spend 8 hours per day talking on a phone or computer, you need a really good headset. This author highly recommends a WIRED, over the ear, noise-cancelling headset. The problem with everything wireless is that it will not last 8 hours without needing a charge. Even if you insist on using wireless technology, make sure you have a wired backup.

Printer - while hard copy printing is less and less of a requirement in most work spaces, a remote employer might require local access to a printer that also has copy, scan and fax capabilities, typically referred to as an "all in one."
 

Smartphone - today most people have basic to moderate skills. Some remote employers will have their own set of apps they will require the remote worker to download and use as part of their job.

Job Applications - there are endless online job hunting sites. Some sites focus specifically on remote jobs. This author humbly suggests FlexJobs as a starting point. 

The remote worker must get familiar with the process of applying for specific jobs, submitting resumes, and monitoring for requests for interviews, etc. Training for this is provided by each online site.

Resumes and Cover Letters - most job application sites provide for-fee resume writing services. This can be costly. Local mentors are strongly advised.

Interviews - the FlexJobs site provides starting points for successful remote interviews. Local and/or remote mentors are strongly advised - first impressions can make or break a job application. Practice is critical. Also see information about negotiating a job offer.