Remote Work Cafe With Shopify's Doreen Okumu

Name: Doreen Okumu

Pronouns: She/Her

Current Job: Global Disability and Leaves Analyst @Shopify

Current Location: US

What role do you play in your team and what does your remote company do?

I work as a Global Disability and Leaves Analyst at Shopify – I oversee and administer Leave and accommodation requests on a global scale.

Shopify’s mission is to make commerce better for everyone:

“We help people achieve independence by making it easier to start, run, and grow a business. We believe the future of commerce has more voices, not fewer, so we’re reducing the barriers to business owners to make commerce better for everyone.”

What has been your remote work journey and how did you find your current role?

My remote work journey began due to the pandemic, many employers had to switch, quite suddenly, to remote work for the first time and without any preparation.

I found my current role through LinkedIn

How did you deal with getting job rejections?

I kept applying, keep doing what you have to do until you get your dream job(believe it or not, it’s out there)

Other things you can do include:

Identify and build a personal development plan
Ask for detailed feedback
Stay Positive
Focus on your strength
Review and Reflect
Keep your options open
Understand/Know you’re not the only one going through it

What’s the best way to find a remote job? Job boards or platforms such a

LinkedIn
Weworkremotely.com
FlexJobs.com
Remote.co
Remoteok.com
Upwork.com
Indeed.com

What apps or websites can’t you work remotely without?

Mobile hotspots
Remote desktop software
Team chat apps
Screen sharing software
Screen recording tools
Video conferencing apps
Online office suites
Cloud storage
To-do list apps
Note-taking apps
Focus apps
Security tools
Automation tools

How do you personally manage work-life balance?

Time management – Manage your time well

Taking breaks as needed – I take breaks frequently to unplug.

Use your lunch break – do not skip lunch

Asking for Schedule flexibility- some days I log in earlier than other days and/or vice versa

Prioritize your health.

Communicate boundaries to your lead/team so you can truly unplug.

Invest in relationships we have coffee chats with your coworker

What are the biggest benefits of working remotely?

Flexibility

Cost Saving

Saves time – No need to travel to work

Better work-life balance

Higher productivity.

What advice would you give to remote work job seekers?

Keep going – Don’t give up – YOU WILL FIND THE JOB YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

More advice:

Know Where to Apply (and Where to Avoid)

So follow what pro-level remote workers do: find a remote-specific job board.

Create an Online Brand to Stand Out.

Follow the Top Remote Companies and Interact with Them.

Super Organize Your Remote Job Search.

Always Send Follow-Ups.

What’s the best way to develop professional contacts while working remotely?

You really have to build your brand when you’re working remotely. I’ve used LinkedIn as a networking tool, obviously. But even beyond that—look for other opportunities to meet professionals e.g through professional events in your community such as job fairs.

Volunteer to help with any project within your overall department.

Attend online business and digital nomad conferences very frequently. It’s also a good idea to offer free talks, workshops, or skill share sessions at a co-working space when arriving in a new place. And using meetup.com or relevant Facebook groups to find business-related meetups and events is a great way to get involved.

Say yes. Go to that holiday party. Man a table at the craft fair. Run a marathon. Help your neighbour move. If you’re like me, and you don’t love the forced-fun corporate cocktail party scenario, just being part of your community will help you keep developing your network.

What traits do most remote work recruiters look for in a candidate?

Trust. To work with others and to allow employees to work remotely, you have to have trust in their ability to get work done both efficiently and effectively.

Name: Doreen Okumu

Pronouns: She/Her

Current Job: Global Disability and Leaves Analyst @Shopify

Current Location: US

What role do you play in your team and what does your remote company do?

I work as a Global Disability and Leaves Analyst at Shopify – I oversee and administer Leave and accommodation requests on a global scale.

Shopify’s mission is to make commerce better for everyone:

“We help people achieve independence by making it easier to start, run, and grow a business. We believe the future of commerce has more voices, not fewer, so we’re reducing the barriers to business owners to make commerce better for everyone.”

What has been your remote work journey and how did you find your current role?

My remote work journey began due to the pandemic, many employers had to switch, quite suddenly, to remote work for the first time and without any preparation.

I found my current role through LinkedIn

How did you deal with getting job rejections?

I kept applying, keep doing what you have to do until you get your dream job(believe it or not, it’s out there)

Other things you can do include:

Identify and build a personal development plan

Ask for detailed feedback

Stay Positive

Focus on your strength

Review and Reflect

Keep your options open

Understand/Know you’re not the only one going through it

What’s the best way to find a remote job? Job boards or platforms such a

LinkedIn

Weworkremotely.com

FlexJobs.com

Remote.co

Remoteok.com

Upwork.com

Indeed.com

What apps or websites can’t you work remotely without?

Mobile hotspots

Remote desktop software

Team chat apps

Screen sharing software

Screen recording tools

Video conferencing apps

Online office suites

Cloud storage

To-do list apps

Note-taking apps

Focus apps

Security tools

Automation tools

How do you personally manage work-life balance?

Time management – Manage your time well

Taking breaks as needed – I take breaks frequently to unplug.

Use your lunch break – do not skip lunch

Asking for Schedule flexibility- some days I log in earlier than other days and/or vice versa

Prioritize your health.

Communicate boundaries to your lead/team so you can truly unplug.

Invest in relationships we have coffee chats with your coworker

What are the biggest benefits of working remotely?

Flexibility

Cost Saving

Saves time – No need to travel to work

Better work-life balance

Higher productivity.

What advice would you give to remote work job seekers?

Keep going – Don’t give up – YOU WILL FIND THE JOB YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

More advice:

Know Where to Apply (and Where to Avoid)

So follow what pro-level remote workers do: find a remote-specific job board.

Create an Online Brand to Stand Out.

Follow the Top Remote Companies and Interact with Them.

Super Organize Your Remote Job Search.

Always Send Follow-Ups.

What’s the best way to develop professional contacts while working remotely?

You really have to build your brand when you’re working remotely. I’ve used LinkedIn as a networking tool, obviously. But even beyond that—look for other opportunities to meet professionals e.g through professional events in your community such as job fairs.

Volunteer to help with any project within your overall department.

Say yes. Go to that holiday party. Man a table at the craft fair. Run a marathon. Help your neighbour move. If you’re like me, and you don’t love the forced-fun corporate cocktail party scenario, just being part of your community will help you keep developing your network.

What traits do most remote work recruiters look for in a candidate?

Trust. To work with others and to allow employees to work remotely, you have to have trust in their ability to get work done both efficiently and effectively.

Excellent Communication- Both Verbal and Written

Tech Savvy.

Self Motivating.

Time Management.

Independence – Able to work alone

Culture Fit.

Results-Oriented.

Adaptability