"I'm applying for the position but cannot relocate ..."

November 4, 2017 6:54 AM

I'm on the job market, and am seeing some interesting positions, for which I have unique qualifications. But I cannot relocate. I'd like to pitch (gently if necessary) the possibility of remote/consulting work in the same area as the listing. I'm not sure if I should apply, maybe the remote angle can be worked out if they like my resume, or if I should just contact the organization straight up. What are some good/constructive approaches to getting on somebody's radar in this way? Many thanks!
posted by life moves pretty fast to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Have you done remote work before? Many companies are hesitant to hire someone remotely if that’s not a core part of their culture. And as a remote worker myself, I wouldn’t want to work for a company that wasn’t a remote-first culture because you’ll end up feeling left out and under appreciated a lot. If you want to search for remote work, there are a number of good lists/sites out there that can help. They’re typically organized by field. What kind of work are you looking for?
posted by Cogito at 7:08 AM on November 4, 2017 [6 favorites]

This is going to be very dependent on your field and skill set. My company has started considering remote hires because it is so hard to find someone local with the skills we require. Years ago, we changed a position to entry level because no one who applied had the experience we wanted. I’d suggest just following their directions for applying. If they want you, you can try to negotiate.
posted by FencingGal at 7:29 AM on November 4, 2017 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Yes, I've worked remotely before. This would be, generally, evaluation of users' experiences of organizations that provide specific services, in the IT/IS field. It's the sort of thing that people do as consulting anyway.
posted by life moves pretty fast at 8:03 AM on November 4, 2017

I would include in your cover letter your fantastic, spot-on skills and gracefully (very briefly) mention your desire to work remotely and see how they respond. You can mention a willingness to travel for important meetings/events and previous remote experience. Focus on what you bring to the table, not your desire to work remotely.
posted by shoesietart at 10:13 AM on November 4, 2017 [3 favorites]

I would apply and if they are interested, try to sell it to them then. The hardest part is getting that first contact from a prospective employer so I wouldn't overthink it because they've even shown any interest in you. Your cover letter can say you are experienced in working remotely to plant the seed, but I personally would wait to try to push it.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:34 AM on November 4, 2017 [3 favorites]

The only way I see this working is if you can make contact with company management at a senior enough level to make that case, and then it's only likely to be successful if your skills are truly unique.

I manage remote workers - I would echo what others are saying about a company's culture. If they don't list a lot of remote positions or seem to be enthusiastic about remote work for their employees, probably best to look elsewhere.
posted by randomkeystrike at 4:23 PM on November 4, 2017 [1 favorite]