Ways Remote Work Is Changing the Job Market

COVID-19 has not disrupted the tech industry like other sectors, but the shift to remote working applies new pressures to the job market – from employee expectations to networking methods. A September 2020 survey by the Association for Canadian Studies and Leger found that 89% of Canadians describe their telecommuting experience as positive, while 32% would start looking for a work-from-home job if ordered to return to the office.

New Norms and Expectations

To stay competitive for top talent, IT companies of any size need not only to permit but embrace and invest in their employees working remotely.

For a view into what may become industry norms, look at the remote work policies of the tech giants:

• Microsoft plans to begin reopening its offices in January 2021. Employees will be allowed to work from home permanently on a case-by-case basis, and all will be able to work remotely less than 50% of the time without approval.
• Google extended its employee work-from-home policy through June 2021. A survey to Google employees survey found that more than half want hybrid schedules after the pandemic so the company is working to accommodate that request.
• Facebook employees can work from home until July 2021 and are given $1,000 to spend on a home office.
• Twitter suspended business travel and in-person events for much of 2020, and employees can work from home indefinitely.
• Amazon is allowing employees to work from home through January 8, 2021.

Networking

Even during the pandemic, the fundamentals of an IT job search are solid: know the job you are seeking, research potential companies, contact recruitment agencies, invest in professional development, polish resume, etc.

And networking is still essential and more important than ever in the job market. People who build and maintain relationships in a socially distant world will have advantages as companies start hiring.

Engaging in online discussions, sharing appropriate articles and making helpful comments are networking icebreakers today. Other strategies include attending virtual networking and professional events, setting up virtual coffee dates for informational interviews, joining professional groups on LinkedIn and expanding your social media contacts and feeds.

Interview Etiquette

Nowadays, job interviews will likely take place virtually requiring new interview skills and etiquette.

Presentation matters. Dress professionally and tidy up your room or use a virtual background, not busy or distracting. Adjust the camera to eye level.

Choose natural lighting. Choose a space that has natural light. Avoid sitting with your back facing a window -otherwise, your potential employer will see a dark shape.

Test your hardware and software before the interview. Check audio levels and familiarize yourself with the software. You may want to plug in an Ethernet cable to secure your internet connection.

Practice. Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview can be a productive way to get ready.

And like in-person interviews starting with one person and then rotating to groups, be ready for different people logging in and out.

Keep in mind that though these remain uncertain times for the IT job market. Tech companies, employees and job seekers can stay afloat in the new normal by adapting to its realities.

Since 2010, SIGnature Recruiting has operated with respect towards all of our candidates and clients, making us the preferred IT recruitment agency in the Greater Vancouver area. If you are seeking talent or an employer, let’s talk.

written by: Jalynn Andersen