How to find a remote jobs from anywhere?
Many people who are in search of new jobs, or changing their careers started considering working remotely. In 2020, how to find remote jobs become a question to which everyone wants to know the answer. Remote jobs especially gained a lot of popularity during the last fifteen years.
Google trends shows that people searching for remote jobs is a growing trend during the last years. And according to Forbes, 70% of US workers are expected to work remotely in the future. We can agree that traditional workstyle, everyday commute to the office and spending relentless eight hours by the desk or in meeting rooms is a thing of the past. It is definitely a fact that remote is not far away; it is a motto that leads every remote worker.
How to find a remote job from anywhere is a very alluring question in 2021. Looking for a remote job is not that much different from looking for a traditional job, but it requires paying attention to different details. It also means that you should be aware of all pros and cons of a remote job. It will give you more flexibility, freedom to work from wherever and safety to isolate yourself from the negative working environment or possibilities of catching a virus (yes 2020, we are referring to you). At the same time a remote job may make you feel lonely and in a lack of human contact.
Finding a remote job you would enjoy and like might be a long process and specific experience, but it’s not impossible. It might look intimidating, but it is not as scary as it sounds, it is definitely not more difficult than looking for an offline job. Of course, it is considered that you do know where to look for a remote job and that you have tailored your application for the jobs you are applying for.
You should be aware that remote job postings get many applications, probably even more than regular job advertisements, so your application has to stand up. So, if you want a job, you must be extra creative and of course check the right websites in your hunt for a remote job.
The biggest perk when looking for a remote job is a fact that you can search for it from anywhere, but you have to be aware of a few things.
First of all, you need to ask yourself is the remote job the right decision for you and would you like to work remotely permanently. This means you have to be aware of all advantages and disadvantages of working remotely. It is important to make a list with pros and cons when making any major decision, especially the one that will turn your days completely upside down.
In order to know if a remote job is the right option for you, you have to do a lot of research as well as self reflection. The best is to be honest to oneself and to be objective.
If you are an extroverted person who meet with many people outside of work, and you love spending time with your family at home, you don’t mind talking to people via Zoom or Skype, and you are able to distance from your work once working hours are over, remote job is a perfect option for you. But if you are not very social outside of work, you live alone and have difficulties motivating yourself to even go out for a walk, a remote job might not be the best choice.
Once you have decided that you do want to work remotely you will actually need to test yourself and see if you are able to manage your own self employment. You need to test and see how good you are at managing your own time, whether you can stay motivated while working from home and if you are will be able to maintain your productivity.
Secondly, it is important to think about what you expect from your remote job. Remote work can consider many different ways of working, you can work full-time, contract based or be a freelancer for different companies, so you have to have a clear image of what kind of position you are interested in.
Furthermore, you have to consider what are the working hours you would like to have. Having a remote job does not automatically imply that you have flexible working hours; remote companies can also have standardized working hours, this is especially important when you have to regularly communicate with people from the team.
When talking about working hours, it is also necessary to decide when you would like to work and in which time zones you would like to work before starting to look for a remote job. Another thing that you should be aware of when you start looking for a remote job, is the difference between partially and fully distributed teams.
It is good to know that fully distributed companies started their job completely distributed and they have a decent onboarding system, while partially distributed can usually struggle when transitioning to remote, so this may be a challenge for newcomers. In order to be clear with everything it is the best to create a list of all things you expect from your job and compare it with the pros and cons list you already have.
After you have decided that remote work is a suitable option for you, and you are about to start a search for a job, try to focus on what motivates you to do the job you are applying for. Working remotely most of the time means that you have to motivate yourself to work so it is very important that you love what you do. This way you will enjoy and thrive at your remote job. But, if you do not like what you do and you dread Mondays, you will end up lying in bed the entire day. Being highly motivated for the job is something that will distinguish you from other candidates.
Moreover, in order to draw attention and get a remote job it is very important to be a trustworthy person and to be passionate about the position you are applying for, this is why employers hiring for a remote job are more considered to meet candidates and see what kind of people they are, rather than just to listen about their skills. If you want to secure your remote job you have to be a problem solver and creative when finding a solution. A perfect candidate should show initiative and eagerness to learn.
On a more technical side, CV and cover letter that you send as an application should be adjusted to remote positions you are applying for. Your CV should emphasize your communication skills, show that you are a proactive communicator and that you are familiar with remote communication tools. Most of all, remote jobs require smooth communication in order to be successful.
Feel free to share the list of tools you are familiar with and you feel comfortable using, this will show that you are relaxed with technology. Don’t forget to mention that you are familiar with the latest tools and softwares needed for the industry you are interested in. If the job you want requires a skill you don’t have, don’t worry, you can always get yourself a training or a course for a position you are aiming for.
The key is to present yourself as a full package – highly skilled and an autonomous and independent employee. When you brush up your CV, remember that your cover letter should be personalized as well. It will not hurt to mention your previous results and use them as an advantage to describe your productivity; as you can guess, remote work is result oriented.
In addition you can share a portfolio, if you have one, and you can talk about side projects you have done before; this will show that you take initiative and that you are proactive. Besides CV and cover letter, you will need to optimize your LinkedIn profile too. Don’t be shy and ask for referrals.
Once you have everything in the clear and set up, when you have made up your mind, it is time to start applying for positions. You can always use your own network for job hunting, and you can check LinkedIn and job websites.
It is good news for you that beside regular job platforms where you have a special remote section which offers limited remote job posts, there are remote only job platforms which will give you access to a wide selection of different remote jobs. Yours is just to browse, choose and apply. Feel free to send a pitch email and be among the first candidates. In order to be an early candidate, it would be good to set up alarms on positions you are interested in.
Luckily for you, we have prepared a list of best websites for finding a perfect remote job.
- Anomadic – a platform that offers fully remote jobs, focused on Balkan and Italian talents, there’s no monthly fee for job seekers.
- FlexJobs – find fully remote as well as part time jobs for a fee of $14.99 per month.
- JustRemote – offers hundreds of remote jobs for $12 monthly fee.
- AngelList – a great website for finding a remote job, without paying any fee.
- HubstaffTalent – check options for finding a remote job as well as freelance opportunities.
- Pangian – an excellent platform for finding a remote job and connecting with other remote workers.
- Remote.com – this website offers job postings in range from startups to publicly traded companies, there is no fee, but in case you want more visibility, there is a $19 fee for a premium account.
- Remote.co – a part of FlexJobs, but offers additional job postings.
- WeWorkRemotely – an excellent job board for remote jobs, no fee asked.
- Jobspresso – a regularly updated list of remote jobs.
- Remote OK – look for any type of job and any seniority level.
- Jobscribe – browse the job and get a daily listing of jobs posted.
- Wfh.io – mostly focus on digital and tech jobs.
- Outsourcely – wide range of remote and freelance jobs.
- Arc – remote only board for developer jobs.
- Virtual Vocations – look for remote jobs in the US.
- Working Nomads – website run by digital nomads.
- Europe Remotely – job posts for workers based in Europe.
- Skip the Drive – a reliable list of remote jobs.
Now when you know where to look for a job and when you have secured your first remote job, don’t stress and enjoy, you got this. Don’t forget to communicate transparently and often. Take initiative by starting new projects, host remote meetings and just offer your expertise whenever needed.
Be accountable and set your own goals. Show that you have good organizational skills. Show that you are tech savvy. Research all the ways to stay productive and how to increase productivity.
