Remote Work Skills: What Do American Companies Require?

To succeed in an international remote job with an American company, it is crucial to develop a set of technical and behavioral remote work skills that go beyond the requirements of a local position. These competencies not only ensure better adaptation to a virtual environment but also enhance your competitiveness in the market.

English Fluency

The ability to communicate effectively in English is fundamental for remote work in American companies. Online courses, daily practice, and using apps can help you improve your English for remote work, providing a competitive advantage. Improve your proficiency with:

• Online courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Duolingo offer a variety of courses for all levels.
• Cultural exchange: If possible, participate in an exchange program or travel to an English-speaking country to practice the language in a real-world environment.
• Conversation groups: Join online or in-person conversation groups to practice speaking and expand your vocabulary.
• Podcasts and series: Watch English series and movies and listen to podcasts to get familiar with the language and different accents.
• Private tutors: Hire a private tutor for personalized lessons and individual coaching.

Working for an American company requires good English fluency, both spoken and written, as it is the primary means of communication. In a remote context, where meetings and alignments happen via video calls and written messages, mastering the language allows you to fully participate in discussions, understand tasks, and express your ideas clearly.
Read also:

• Why learning English is crucial for a software developer’s career? Plus: tips to help you on this journey
• Remote Work for the US: How to Create an English Resume for IT Professionals

Technical Skills

US companies seek highly qualified professionals, especially in the tech sector. For software roles, skills for remote work include experience with tools like Git, Jira, Slack, and specific competencies in your field, such as backend development, frontend expertise, or skills in blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

• Knowledge in martech, eHealth, and edtech is also valued, as these industries are rapidly growing in the United States. Want to accelerate your learning? Explore: Online courses: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX offer courses in various technology fields, from programming to design.
• Bootcamps: Join intensive bootcamps to gain practical skills in a specific area.
• Personal projects: Develop personal projects to apply your knowledge and build a portfolio.
• Online communities: Join forums, LinkedIn groups, and online communities to exchange knowledge and learn from other professionals.
• Mentorship: Seek a mentor to guide you in your learning journey.

Read also: Want to work abroad? Learn the must-have skills

Communication and Collaboration

Clear and effective communication is essential, especially in distributed teams. Keeping the team updated, quickly clarifying doubts, and providing constructive feedback help avoid misunderstandings and maintain high productivity. Develop your skills with:

• Communication tools: Master tools like Slack, Teams, Zoom, and other collaborative communication platforms.
• Communication training: Participate in training sessions on effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Teamwork: Seek opportunities to work on team projects, whether through courses, personal initiatives, or volunteer work.
• Feedback: Request feedback from colleagues and supervisors to identify areas for improvement in your communication.

American companies value professionals with soft skills such as organization, proactivity, and responsibility to manage their workload and meet deadlines even without direct supervision. Learn more at Behavioral Skills for Tech Professionals.

Organization and Time Management

In a remote job with an international company, you will need to deal with different time zones. Being prepared to adjust your work schedule and manage deadlines is vital. 
To ensure communication flows smoothly, it’s essential to use tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or Asana to organize tasks and keep the team in sync. Gain time management practice with:

• Time management methodologies: Learn techniques such as Pomodoro, Kanban, or GTD (Getting Things Done) to organize your tasks.
• Productivity tools: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar to manage your projects and deadlines.

More important than tools is changing your attitude:

• Establish a routine: Create a work routine that works for you, including defined times for work and rest.
• Avoid distractions: Create a distraction-free workspace and use apps to block sites and notifications.

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

The US tech market evolves rapidly, and American companies for online work look for professionals who can adapt to changes and are willing to learn constantly. Staying updated on the latest software trends, cybersecurity developments, and best practices is crucial, especially in companies operating in innovative sectors like AI and fintech.
Services like AI Consulting, MLOps, MLaaS, and computer vision are among the most in-demand emerging technologies, offering companies valuable insights and advanced automation.

These skills are the foundation for standing out in a remote position at an American company. Beyond expanding your professional repertoire, these competencies also increase your growth potential and create more opportunities to get promoted or participate in new projects.

In the post Continuous Development: 6 Ways to Boost Your Employability, we share more tips on how to use learning to land a job and negotiate salary increases based on newly acquired skills.

Want a career with American tech companies? Talk to Ubiminds!

FAQ on Building Remote Work Skills

Scheila Farias Silveira

International Marketing Leader, specialized in tech. Proud to have built marketing and business generation structures for some of the fastest-growing SaaS companies on both sides of the Atlantic (UK, DACH, Iberia, LatAm, and NorthAm). Big fan of motherhood, world music, marketing, and backpacking. A little bit nerdy too!