Many organisations have transitioned from the office to work-from-home environments in recent years, and the charity sector is no exception. While charities prize certain skills above others, the top skills for remote work will be slightly different from those needed to do the job onsite.
Here are five crucial skills you’ll need to show if you’re applying for a remote job at a charity.
1. Communication
Good communication has always been key to a successful charity career, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the top skills for remote work. But working remotely has its own specific etiquette. Body language, for example, is used less in a virtual setting than written and verbal communication.
On video calls, remember to keep your message clear, enunciate and talk at a decent volume directly into the microphone. And always communicate with empathy—you don’t know what external factors might be affecting your colleagues, volunteers or beneficiaries at any particular time.
Remember, great communication in a remote environment isn’t just about speaking—it’s about being a good listener. When others are talking, allow them to finish. Then ask questions that will both help your comprehension and show you’ve been paying attention. Practice active listening and pay attention to the speaker’s tone of voice and facial expressions.
To demonstrate your communication skills in a charity interview, project confidence by speaking clearly and looking directly at the interviewer (or at the camera). Show your understanding by listening carefully and sharing relevant examples. Perhaps there was a time where you negotiated successfully with a partner or accepted critical feedback.
2. Time management and organisation
A remote position gives you more autonomy than an on-site role. So time management and organisation skills take on particular importance in a virtual working environment.
On the one hand, you may feel you’ve more time to get things done, due to fewer distractions at home. But having less in-person contact with colleagues can bring challenges. When you’re not sharing the same workspace, you may have to be more proactive about following things up. Don’t be shy about sending reminders via email or instant message to ensure that projects are delivered on time.
A remote charity role will require you to be efficient, effective and productive. Knowing how to set goals and delegate tasks when necessary shows that you’re forward-thinking and know what to prioritise and when. At a charity job interview, prepare to explain how you stay organised. Offer examples that give insight into your routine and mention the tools you use to manage your tasks. These might include, for example, Asana, Trello, Evernote or Google Drive.
3. Teamwork and collaboration
Collaboration and teamwork in remote charity roles takes a different form than in an office setting. But you’ll still be responsible for working well with a diverse group of colleagues, partners and the public.
To impress hiring managers with your ability to work well in a team, emphasise group projects and assignments you’ve been a part of. Find examples of times when the support you gave enabled someone else to do great work. This will highlight your team spirit and show that you’re happy to share the spotlight.
4. Self-motivation
In an office environment, you have your colleagues working nearby and the general hustle and bustle of activity to keep energy levels up. But when working remotely, you often have to motivate yourself.
If you want to highlight self-motivation at your next interview, detail your daily schedule and how well you follow it. sense of routine helps differentiate your work time from your personal time. Let them know how you stay motivated―maybe you go to the gym or have a rewards system for completing tasks. These could be great at showing you’re disciplined when it comes to motivation.
Finally, if you’re seeking a remote leadership role in the charity sector, give examples of how you also help positively motivate and encourage your employees.
5. Adaptability and flexibility
As with any environment, the dynamics of remote workplaces can change. Show the hiring manager that you’ll be able to take this in your stride. If you have a fondness for trying new things, don’t hesitate to express that. Highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure, as well as your knack for handling problems at a moment’s notice.
For example, give an instance where you adapted to a client’s last-minute adjustments or how you were able to reconfigure your schedule when an urgent situation needed to be addressed.
Ready to get started?
Working in the charity sector is one of the most rewarding career paths you could choose. If you can work on the top skills for remote work and show off your proficiency at your next interview, you’ll have a positive reply in no time.
When you’re ready, start searching for remote charity jobs and apply today.
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated to ensure relevance and to reflect the current jobseeker experience.
