How to search for remote working contract opportunites?

[Bee]

Has anyone found a decent recipe for searching the popular job bulletin boards for remote work jobs?

JobServe and JobSite tend to be location biased and fiddly to operate.

Ideas welcomed

In the Jobserve you can put in the Keywork section the word remote, probably you can find it.

[Hapax]

@Hobosapien
Remote working is nearly always associated with a hot desking environment.


I had an accountant from a FTSE100 company walk me through their business case a few years ago. They had a mandatory two days out of five remote working in certain areas. Monday and Friday was a popular combination. Quelle Surprise! In these areas they were able to reduce their real estate footprint by nearly 40%. Even at moderate property rental prices the savings were worth pursuing and in London it was an absolute no brainer.


I suspect that something like this will become the norm in many projects within a few years.

[psychocandy]

Ever tried asking an agent if client would go for remote working when you have the initial conversation? Always seem to say no when I know damn well they havent even asked.

It seems to scare the agent that this one request will put the client off so they will tell the candidate no anyway.

[Kraut]

Ever tried asking an agent if client would go for remote working when you have the initial conversation? Always seem to say no when I know damn well they havent even asked.

It seems to scare the agent that this one request will put the client off so they will tell the candidate no anyway.

Spot on. For a previous client I raised that question upfront, too. "No, absolutely not! They are an old traditional firm and want you onsite all the time."
I think I started working almost exclusively from home from the second week for that client. Sometimes I wouldn't be in the office for six weeks.

Lesson learned: Don't ask the agent. They think you are a special snowflake and may not even put you forward. Mention it to the interviewer (if it's a deal breaker) or your manager further down the line after a couple of weeks when you've ticked off some milestones on time.

[northernladuk]

Ever tried asking an agent if client would go for remote working when you have the initial conversation? Always seem to say no when I know damn well they havent even asked.

It seems to scare the agent that this one request will put the client off so they will tell the candidate no anyway.

People asking for remote working from the off are a risk. They have extra requirements above and beyond the other candidates so immediately make them more hassle. We've had 3 guys in the last 6 months start at our place and within 2 weeks complained they can't get WFH because others are. They knew full well it wasn't on the table. All three gave notice and left shortly afterwards. Whether they thought they could get in and once at the desk strong arm the client or something but it didn't work.

I'm damn sure the agent delivering to my client will not want anything to do with a contractor asking for remote working for gigs here.

You are right though, the agent doesn't really know. I can WFH as many other can. As long as you delivery and have good reason to do so so it is possible. You can't blame the agent for stonewalling that question though. Experience has told him it's not going to end well.

[Bee]

Ever tried asking an agent if client would go for remote working when you have the initial conversation? Always seem to say no when I know damn well they havent even asked.

It seems to scare the agent that this one request will put the client off so they will tell the candidate no anyway.

I agree with you.

Basically and fast, they will think that we are a "prima donna".

[jamesbrown]

Searching for them is part of the problem. You need them to be searching for you, otherwise it's inevitably on their terms to a large degree. Unless you're in an industry where remote working is typical (I can't think of many) or you're happy to play your luck, contract-by-contract (i.e. not likely), you need to become a known specialist and/or tender for technical services, rather than BoS "roles". In other words, there's no easy route.

[Bee]

Searching for them is part of the problem. You need them to be searching for you, otherwise it's inevitably on their terms to a large degree. Unless you're in an industry where remote working is typical (I can't think of many) or you're happy to play your luck, contract-by-contract (i.e. not likely), you need to become a known specialist and/or tender for technical services, rather than BoS "roles". In other words, there's no easy route.

The best it's to proof that you had a remote role in the past specified in your CV.

If not, you have to gain the client's trust first.

[MrMarkyMark]

The best it's to proof that you had a remote role in the past specified in your CV.

If not, you have to gain the client's trust first.

Poppycock, why would your new client <modsnip> care whether you had worked from home before?

[Bee]

Poppycock, why would your new client <modsnip> whether you had worked from home before?

Stupid question.
I'm going to put this <modsnip> in my ignore list too.