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
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Project manager
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Product Manager
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UI/UX professional (designer, researcher)
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Customer service support
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Document Analyst or researcher
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Data entry officer
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Billing support specialist
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Software engineer
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Human resources professional/recruiter
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Community Manager
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Public Relations & Communications
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Content Writers
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Video content editors
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Accountants and finance professionals
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Sales associates
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Digital marketing professionals/SEO specialists
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Cybersecurity specialists
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Business analysts
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Business Consultants/Subject Matter Experts
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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.
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:
You can also take a look at these remote job websites
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weworkremotely.com
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flexjobs.com
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remote.co
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justremote.co
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pangian.com/remote-companies
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Angelist
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jobspresso.co
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skipthedrive.com
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remoteOK
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Remotebliss
If you are looking for part-time freelancing gigs, then head over to the following
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.
Olutobi
I write about business and project management.
10+ years working in program management. I've worked in health-tech, community health, regulatory affairs and quality assurance.
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