If you’ve struggled to find a remote job you’ve found the right article! Remote job opportunities are growing day by day and more and more companies embrace the remote lifestyle. Talent is the key now as companies are becoming less concerned and more comfortable with employees, being skilled and knowing how to seek out the special remote openings online is all that separates you from getting your next remote job.
In five simple steps, I’ll help you get ready to apply to and find a great remote job in record time. Your first remote job may not be your dream job, but given time, and elbow grease, you’ll be well on your way to building the perfect remote career for yourself. Remember that even part-time opportunities are valuable and networking is essential to breaking into the digital nomad community and you’ll be ready to receive a ton of remote job offers.
Step 1) Update Your Resume
Landing a remote job is becoming more common, yes, but landing ANY job in the new Talent Economy requires a buttoned-up resume. For starters, keep your formatting clean and easy to read. That means proper spacing, bold headlines, simple font like a serif is a safe bet. And if you’re in the design field or another creative role, consider creating a resume that exemplifies your talents, or includes a link to an online portfolio. The trick is to stand out without overwhelming your recruiter.
Every resume should include your contact information in your header, a brief description of why you fit the role you’re applying for and an outline of your career history below. Remember, you’re trying to get a remote job, so be sure to highlight skills and responsibilities that demonstrate why you’re reliable or how you’ve worked on your own before.
If you’re unsure of whether or not your resume is application ready, don’t be afraid to ask for help revising with a friend or work colleague. And if you want some serious help reformatting, rewording, and revitalizing your resume to attract a remote job, contact me here! I can help you rebuild your resume into something that will attract the right job for you.
Last but not least, consider testing different versions of your resume. Change details per the role your applying for, emphasizing the qualities described necessary in the job description. Also, read up on the company before you apply and see if their history notes anything you can directly tie into your cover letter, resume or even job screening. Being prepared is essential for getting a remote job and maintaining it.
Step 2) Understand What Motivates You To Work
Before I worked remote, I used to get a feeling of dread on Sunday nights. I didn’t love what I was doing and I didn’t love where I was working. Getting a remote job solves one of those two problems but making sure the job you’re applying for utilizes the skills you want to exercise is very important. This may seem anecdotal, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to still care about what you’re working on, even if working remotely means being able to do it in pajamas.
If you share that Sunday feeling of anxious dread, analyze it. Is it just that morning commute, or do you really need to reconsider your career path altogether?
I’ve found that even though I work remote, some weeks I work more than I did when I worked at a desk, and that’s because I love my job. Working remote doesn’t feel like a benefit, it feels natural. So start by looking for remote jobs that actually interest, versus sacrificing your passions to avoid a commute.
Step 3) Sign Up for These Newsletters & Remote Websites
I found my first remote job by signing up for every remote work and flex job newsletter I could find. You’d be shocked to see all of the niche and remote work focused blogs, websites, influencers, and newsletters that exist, and the community is incredibly inviting. Once you’re accepted into the digital nomad community if even for a temporary contract gig, you’ll find that getting that next remote job is even easier the second time around.
To help get you started I’m listing my favorite remote work websites to sign up at for you here. Some of these offers paid plans, or memberships, but rest assured I’ve found 90% of my jobs without needing to sign up for any paid tier.
Step 4) Reach out to Remote Work Influencers
Signing up for newsletters and message boards is one of the best ways to stick your foot into the digital nomad community, but don’t be afraid to try and make a more personal introduction online.
Connecting with your favorite travel blogger at a meetup, on LinkedIn or via email could help you down the road. Working remote requires incredible levels of communication and being comfortable speaking primarily through text. This can make reaching out to the leaders of the remote work community less intimidating; email, social message or website contact boxes are all common forms of communication for them, myself included.
Step 5) Apply To Toptal, UpWork etc.
After you’ve perfected your application materials, defined what’s going to motivate you to work, signed up for every newsletter and even tried reaching out to a few remote work influencers, the final step to getting a remote job in record time is signing up on freelance platforms like Toptal and UpWork.
Taking advantage of these services can be the gateway to independence. While it may not seem ideal to take the extra time to build online profiles to be considered for freelance or even a part-time remote job, these services can actually pay very well and lead to fulfilling full-time roles.
The bottom line is that the way we work and the way companies hire is changing. The future of work is real and starting out as, or becoming, a full-time freelancer isn’t so ridiculous in 2019. Taking advantage of every way you can earn money, learn, and connect with like-minded colleagues is essential to getting a remote job in record time.
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