You want to know how to get a remote job, but you don’t know where to start.
If you’ve already started applying, you know that finding a job can be brutal. You apply for dozens of jobs, and then it’s silence.
Or, maybe you’re so overwhelmed that you haven’t started yet – that’s also ok.
The good news is that most people haphazardly apply for random jobs, without much thought, care, intention, or research.
This, my friend, gives you a huge advantage. By putting in a little extra effort, you’ll show employers that you’re a hard worker, have the skills and experience, and are a quick learner.
After reading this post, you’ll have a list of practical next steps to head into your remote job search with confidence and a plan.
Let’s dive in!
1. Learn New Skills
Remote jobs can be competitive. If you want to know how to get a remote job, start by learning some new skills.
This is not to scare you, but to encourage you to do everything you can to be a great applicant and stand out from the competition.
Read through job descriptions, and if there’s something you don’t know how to do, take a course on it.
YouTube, Coursera, Udemy, and edX are all great, affordable places to learn. Need more? Holly has a huge list of free online courses here.
2. Network
Most people are intimidated by the word “networking,” so instead, start “connecting.”
A great place to start is by doing informational interviews.
If you have a company you want to work for, see if you have any LinkedIn connections there and reach out to them. Not to get a job, but to learn more about the company.
Connecting can be as simple as joining Facebook groups or attending virtual meetups.
Many people might not respond to your messages or emails – that’s ok. Don’t take it personally; just continue reaching out until you get a response.
3. Get Clear on What You Want
If all you’re thinking right now is how to get a remote job, you’ll get overwhelmed very quickly by the search process.
First, what kind of remote job do you want? 100% remote, hybrid, mostly remote with in-person meetings, or travel a few times a month or year?
Next, consider your hours. Do you want full-time work with benefits, part-time work, or contract or freelance positions?
Also, think about time zones. If you are looking for jobs that require lots of meetings, you’ll probably want to find companies in the same time zone as you or in a time zone with at least a few hours of overlap during the workday.
Of course, you’ll also want to be clear on what type of role you’re looking for, as well as any other specifics that matter to you, like company culture, size of the company, etc.
4. Subscribe to Companies You’re Interested In
Show interest in companies that you’re planning to apply to by following their social media channels, subscribing to their newsletter if they have one, following their website, and checking open job positions regularly.
The more you know about the company, the better able you will be to express why you want to work for them in your application or interviews.
5. Use Reputale Remote-Only Job Boards
Searching for remote positions can be highly frustrating, especially when companies are vague about whether a role is 100% remote, hybrid, or in-person.
If you’ve ever applied or interviewed for a job that was listed as remote only to find out later that it’s actually not 100% remote, you know what I mean.
Throw in the ever-prevalent employment scams and fake job listings, and it’s beyond frustrating.
Using reputable remote-only job boards can help you to focus on remote jobs, rather than weeding through dozens or hundreds of non-remote positions that you’re not interested in.
Some of the best free remote job boards that vet positions: The Remote Nurse, Rat Race Rebellion, Real Ways to Earn Money Online, Nurse Fern, and The Work at Home Woman.
There are also some platforms that offer paid subscriptions to vetted job leads, such as the Remote Job Membership, Hire My Mom, FlexJobs, Remote.co, and Virtual Vocations.
And of course, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter to receive weekly emails about some of the best remote jobs!
You can also check out these job search apps.
6. Be Professional
Just because you’re doing interviews from home doesn’t mean that you should be any less professional than if you were showing up to an office.
Always be punctual for interviews and respond to emails or interview requests promptly.
Even if the company seems casual, dress professionally for the interview. It’s always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed.
These skills will help or hurt your ability to get the job.
7. Send an Email or Note to Follow Up
When I was in college, my Career Advisor required us to send a physical card or email to thank the interviewer for their time and to follow up about the position.
Even though that was over 15 years ago, I still practice this today.
Not only is this a thoughtful gesture, but it’s also a good way to keep your name top of mind for the interviewer and shows that you’re very interested in the job.
Does that feel scary? These posts have everything you need to write a follow-up or thank-you email so that you can breathe a sigh of relief.
8. Organize Your Search
Staying organized in your job search is essential to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Good organizational skills will also help you understand where you are in the application process and show you when to follow up or take the next steps.
A great place to start is to use the Work From Home Career Planner and organize your search.
9. Show Off Your Communication Skills
If you are in a remote role, communication skills are essential.
Re-read emails out loud before you send them, and make sure that your intention is clear.
Ask current or former coworkers for feedback on what you do well and where your communication skills are lacking.
You can also read over these easy tips for improving your communication skills.
10. Know How to Use Remote Tools and Apps
If you’ve ever worked remotely, think about any platforms or tools you’ve used, like Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, Google Workspace, Trello, Asana, etc.
When you conduct an informational interview, ask current employees which tools they use.
If they mention anything you don’t know, look them up and practice using them.
11. Show Previous Remote Experience
I can’t overstate this enough. If you have remote experience or work remotely in your current role, make sure to highlight this in your application and interviews.
If you don’t have any remote work experience, try finding a remote volunteer position or a part-time job to add to your resume.
Having remote experience shows that you can work independently, communicate effectively, and have some familiarity with basic tech tools and programs.
You could also ask a former coworker or manager to write a recommendation or even to share a few sentences or a paragraph describing your remote work skills.
12. Work On Your Online Presence or Brand
Having an online presence or platform can show an interviewer or hiring manager who you are, even before you’ve had an interview.
This could be your LinkedIn profile, social media profiles, a blog, website, or an online portfolio of your work.
Substack and Medium are great options for showcasing your writing or blogging skills without worrying about hosting or setting up your own website.
If you’re looking for jobs in media or creative fields, use your online presence as an opportunity to showcase your creativity.
While you want to keep it fun, remember to be professional as well.
13. Be Persistent
Ask remote workers how to get a remote job, and they will tell you to be persistent in your search. Yes, more people are applying for remote jobs than ever before. But most of them aren’t persistent enough to make it happen.
If working remotely is genuinely what you want, keep at it until you get it.
Also, if you’re applying for a new job and aren’t getting interviews or responses, you could try freelancing or volunteering to gain some remote experience to use on your resume.
14. Research Which Jobs Are Most in Demand for Remote Work
The remote work landscape is changing regularly.
Some remote positions have become very saturated over the past few years, so do your own research.
Depending on your education and experience, jobs such as data analysis, web design, and network security often offer many remote positions.
If you have any customer service experience, customer experience jobs are a great way to gain some remote expertise on your resume.
You can also create a Reddit account and search topics and subreddits about remote work, like r/RemoteWork and r/RemoteJobs.
15. Practice Your Interview Skills
If you are getting interviews but not job offers, focus on your interview skills. And, if you’re not getting interviews yet, this will help once you do.
First, learn how to prepare for and crush online interviews. If you’re an overachiever, which I know you are, you can also read these simple ways to ace an interview.
Keep in mind that you are not the only one being interviewed. You are also interviewing the company to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 interview questions remote workers must ask.
16. Review Your Tech Ahead of Time
There is nothing worse than being late for an interview because you forgot to update Zoom or couldn’t find the correct link.
Always practice ahead of time.
Make sure you have the link ready.
Check for any updates.
Re-read your emails to make sure you don’t need to do anything in advance.
If it’s a new videoconferencing platform for you, download it ahead of time and make sure you know how to use all the basic features, like muting, video, and typing in the chat.
17. Be Bold and Confident
You’ve probably heard that women are 16% less likely than men to apply for a job after viewing it. Or, that women only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the requirements, compared to men who apply when meeting 60% of the requirements.
Be confident in your abilities.
The fact is, getting a job is a numbers game, and the more you apply for, the better your chances are of getting hired.
You want to know how to get a remote job? Apply for more jobs!
How to Get a Remote Job Wrapup
Remember that getting a job can be a big process. The key is to take it step by step and not feel like you need to do it all at once.
Begin by using the Work From Home Printable Career Planner. Next, create a plan to organize your job search. You’ll also enjoy these job hunting tips and tips to speed up your job search.
If you’re already working a full-time job or are a full-time mom or student, don’t overwhelm yourself. Instead, try to take one step daily towards your job search.
Need more assistance with your remote job search? Check out the Remote Job Membership, which offers guidance for avoiding scams, writing a standout resume and LinkedIn profile, acing your job interview, and new remote job leads, Monday through Friday!
