Remote work has become an increasingly popular way of working in recent years. There are many reasons why you should consider a remote job, whether you want to avoid the daily commute or achieve a better work-life balance. However, the question remains: how do you actually find a remote job?

This article will provide you with a detailed guide on how to find one.

For the record, I work remotely as well. And it’s great. 

A lot of technical and administrative jobs can be remote, which is why companies are now opting for remote-only workplaces; especially with the rise of collaborative work tools like Asana and Notion.

You could get a full-time remote job, or work part-time as a freelancer or consultant. The first step is mapping your skills against the common remote jobs.

The 20 Most Popular Remote Jobs or Positions

  1. Project manager

  2. Product Manager

  3. UI/UX professional (designer, researcher)

  4. Customer service support

  5. Document Analyst or researcher

  6. Data entry officer

  7. Billing support specialist

  8. Software engineer

  9. Human resources professional/recruiter

  10. Community Manager

  11. Public Relations & Communications

  12. Content Writers

  13. Video content editors

  14. Accountants and finance professionals

  15. Sales associates

  16. Digital marketing professionals/SEO specialists

  17. Cybersecurity specialists

  18. Business analysts

  19. Business Consultants/Subject Matter Experts

  20. Technology Sales Directors and Business Development Professionals

Don’t worry if your current work role or interest is not captured on the list. You can actually pivot to many of these roles leveraging your current skills and experiences. However, some will require additional training.

Determine Your Interests and Skills

Identifying your skills and interests is the first step in finding a remote job.

Make a List of your Current Skills and Knowledge

Make a list of your skills, knowledge, and experience. Be specific and extensive. For example, if you are a writer, specify what type of writing you specialise in (e.g., technical writing, creative writing, copywriting)

Match your abilities to job roles (Skill Mapping)

Once you have listed your skills, explore remote job vacancies and match those skills to job openings. Look for job descriptions that are a good fit for your skills and experience.

Identify any Skill Gaps

The general consensus is that you match 60% of the skills listed in a job advert before applying. Determine any skill gaps that you must fill in order to qualify for the job.

Build a Professional Resume and Cover Letter

Once you’ve identified the remote jobs that interest you, you’ll need to create a professional resume and cover letter. Your resume and cover letter should clearly and concisely highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments.

Harvard University has an online resume resource to help job seekers build concise and professional resumes and cover letters.

Click here to download

Start Networking

Use Linkedin to Grow Your Professional Network

LinkedIn is a valuable resource for developing and expanding your professional network. With over 700 million users, it offers an enormous pool of potential contacts and opportunities. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your new skills and experience.

Optimize Your Profile

Your profile should provide a concise overview of your skills, experience, and career objectives. Make sure you include relevant keywords in your profile to assist others in finding you when searching for specific skills or job titles.

Connect With Relevant People

Connect with people who are relevant to your industry or career goals. Look for people who work in similar jobs, companies, or fields.

Join Linkedin Groups

Joining and participating in LinkedIn Groups is a great way to broaden your network and connect with other professionals. Look for groups that are related to your industry, interests, or career objectives. Participate in discussions, share your thoughts, and ask questions.

Engage other Users

Effective networking on Linkedin requires constant engagement with your network. Like and comment on their posts.

Share Your Knowledge with Others

One of the best ways to grow your LinkedIn network is to provide value to your connections. Write articles or make videos to share your expertise and knowledge. What’s important nowadays is sharing personal work stories or insights that can benefit others professionally.

Use Job Boards and Websites to Search for Remote Jobs

If you are looking for useful websites for fully remote jobs, I highly recommend:

  1. Indeed.com 

  2. Linkedin

You can also take a look at these remote job websites

  1. weworkremotely.com

  2. flexjobs.com

  3. remote.co

  4. justremote.co

  5. pangian.com/remote-companies

  6. Angelist

  7. jobspresso.co

  8. skipthedrive.com

  9. remoteOK

  10. Remotebliss

If you are looking for part-time freelancing gigs, then head over to the following

  1. Upwork

  2. Freelancer

  3. Fiverr

Prepare For Remote Job Interviews

Use the STAR Method to Answer Interview Questions

The STAR method is a well-known technique for responding to behavioural interview questions. Behavioural questions are designed to help understand how you handled previous situations and to predict how you will perform in the future.

STAR is an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

When using the STAR method to answer a behavioural question, you begin by describing the Situation you were in. This should be a specific example from your previous experiences that relates to the question at hand. Following that, describe the Task that had to be completed in that situation.

Following an explanation of the Situation and Task, you should describe the Action you took to complete the task. This should be a detailed account of how you handled the situation. Finally, explain the outcome of your actions, including any positive outcomes or lessons learned.

Be Patient

The timeline for transitioning to a remote job is anywhere from 3 to 6 months. More importantly, You will apply for 100s of jobs before you get a breakthrough. It’s tough because these positions are highly contested. So, keep a positive attitude and push until you break through.

Free Online Training and Certifications for Remote Jobs

Many remote jobs will require that you get additional training under your belt. For example,  If you love administrative work like me, consider taking a project management course. I recommend Google’s Professional Project Management certificate for starters. I also know that if you complete a scrum master certification, getting a call back from a recruiter is way easier than if you don’t. If you have related professional experience, you will still be able to break into these positions without additional certifications. But honestly, I think it’s a lot harder.

In Conclusion

Securing a remote job requires a combination of skills, preparation, and patience. You can improve your chances of landing a remote job that matches your skills and interests by following the tips I’ve outlined here. Whether you want to avoid the daily commute or achieve a better work-life balance, remote work can provide you with the flexibility and freedom you seek.

I wish you all the best.