As interest in remote jobs increases, and more and more of us aspire to be Digital Nomads, the lifestyle is becoming more competitive. If you want to succeed in this unique section of the professional world, you’re going to need some tips...
So, you want to get started with your travel dreams this year, but the idea of having no income for an extended period doesn’t seem feasible. Fortunately for you, the landscape of modern work is evolving, and maintaining an income through remote jobs is becoming more common across many industries.
Provided you have the right skills, experience, as well as reliable access to a computer and the internet, the world is your oyster. With a bit of strategy, intuition, and creative thinking, you can find a way to maintain positive cash flow and cover your daily expenses while fulfilling your travel dreams.
1. Be specific in your job search
If a posting does not specifically say “remote” or “telecommute”, it is most likely an on-site position. Narrowing your search with these key terms will save you the time and effort you would spend reviewing unsuitable jobs. While the standard Google search will get you far, you’ll need to modify your job search to be as specific as possible. Becoming familiar with multiple job boards will be crucial to optimizing your job hunt. Learning how to use sites specifically designed for remote job postings can mean the difference between effective searching and aimless wandering online.
2. Establish a well-crafted online presence
Hiring remote employees is a tricky process. In lieu of a traditional interview process, hiring managers must find an alternative way of getting to know candidates. In these cases, they often rely on the information they can derive from internet searches. Be sure to keep an updated professional presence, including a current LinkedIn profile and an up-to-date, professionally written CV and portfolio showcasing your best work. When hiring remote workers, companies want to see a track record of quality work produced under minimal supervision. If necessary, seek the help of a professional in crafting a persuasive narrative about yourself and curating your work for display. Sites like LinkedIn have a feature for writing recommendations directly on a person’s profile. Recommendations from prior managers and coworkers on your profile can be a boost to your credibility and application.
3. Explore freelance work opportunities
Sometimes, obtaining full-time remote work can be difficult, or maybe even undesirable for your travel lifestyle. If flexibility is important for you to get the most out of your travel adventures, freelance work could be your lifeline. Websites like Upwork or Craigslist can be vital resources for finding these jobs. Upwork’s well-planned structure offers security and formality to the process, making it easier to find and apply for the kind of work you seek.
While Craigslist can be a little less organized, it can be a treasure trove of freelance and short-term work opportunities. If you decide to accept a job from a Craigslist poster, be sure to thoroughly investigate the poster’s professional online presence and establish a secure payment method (preferably one that doesn’t require you to disclose any of your personal information). If the uncertainty of freelance work doesn’t bother you, there are several services to help you find projects and get started as soon as possible.
4. Reach out to specific companies
Similar to in-person jobs, getting your foot in the virtual door can often be helped along by establishing contact with actual people rather than relying on an automated application system. As is the case with on-site jobs, networking is an essential component of a successful job search. If a specific job posting interests you, don’t be shy about finding and contacting the recruiter responsible for filling the position.
Be sure to keep your interactions professional and specific, informing the recruiter of the exact position for which you are applying and your detailed qualifications. If you’re are not able to determine who the recruiter is, try reaching out to people who work in similar roles at the company. You may even find someone willing to forward your résumé directly to the manager.
5. Seek out the markets with high demand
Online language tuition is a booming industry, with English being a highly sought-after skill. A quick online search can yield a wealth of information pertaining to online language services and the kind of tutors they wish to hire.
These jobs are highly desirable as they often provide steady and reliable income on top of unique travel opportunities. Beware, while some services require only fluency in the language to be taught, others require a university degree or some other form of professional teaching credentials. Be sure to thoroughly explore the job requirements before investing time in the application process.
Other industries with high availability of remote jobs are blog/article writing, web development, and academic tutoring.
Work or Travel?
With the changing ideas surrounding work culture around the world, finding employment to suit your specific needs and ambitions has never been easier. However, finding these alternative work options requires dedication, creativity and a willingness to explore industries with which you are unfamiliar.
In searching for these opportunities, you may need to critically evaluate your existing skills for transferability to new job functions, or you may need to acquire new professional skills and accreditations to meet the demands of the virtual work industry.
Today's guest post comes from Jordan Perez from Resume Pundits.
Aleksander Lewicki3mo ago
Its good to work remotely only sometimes. For example 1 or 2 days per week :)
Its good to work remotely only sometimes. For example 1 or 2 days per week :)