How to Find Remote, WorkFromHome Jobs: A Complete Guide
So, you fancy working in your PJs, avoiding the daily grind, and having the freedom to work from a beach in Bali? Well, finding a remote job might just be your ticket. But, like anything worth having, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating the wild world of remote work, brought to you by the good folks at Worldwide VA.
How to Find a Remote Job: 5 Steps
To help you land that perfect remote gig, we’ve outlined some top tips on identifying remote jobs and how to find legitimate remote jobs online. Let’s get started, shall we?
- Speak the Right Language
First things first, you need to know the lingo. There are at least 19 different ways to say “remote work.” Companies each have their own quirky terms, so get familiar with them.
Here are a handful of common terms for remote work:
- Agile workforce: An adaptable, flexible workforce.
- Distributed workforce: Your entire team or company works remotely.
- Virtual job (online job): All of your work is done online or in a virtual office.
- Work at home (work from home): This one is pretty straightforward—you work from home.
- Work from anywhere: A remote job without any geographical restrictions.
There are, of course, many other phrases that mean “remote work.” But knowing some of the more common terms will help you target your search.
“Pay attention to the wording used by companies in job listings,” instruct the career experts at Worldwide VA. “You might notice that companies in your industry or line of work tend to say ‘telecommute’ instead of ‘remote,’ or ‘remote’ instead of ‘virtual.’ Those subtleties can focus your search on the best keywords for your particular career goals.”
- Search for Remote Jobs Online
Now that you’ve got the lingo down, it’s time to start your search. While general job boards are fine, you’ll want to hit up niche platforms that specialise in remote and flexible work, like Worldwide VA.
- We thoroughly vet all the jobs posted on our platform to ensure they’re the real deal. No scams here, just pure, unadulterated remote work goodness. Want to widen your search? Try these tips:
- Read over company career pages and look out for words like “worklife balance” and “flexibility.”
- Tap your network to see who’s already working remotely. Ask them how they found their job and if they have any tips.
- Consider leveraging AI in your job search to speed up the process, offer more personalised job matching, and help you create tailored application materials more quickly.
What Remote Jobs Are Available?
Wondering what kind of remote jobs are out there? Check out some of our favourite lists of top remote companies:
- 25 Companies Hiring Now for Remote, WorkFromHome Jobs
- 30 Companies Hiring for PartTime, Remote, WorkFromHome Jobs
- Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2023
Remote opportunities can include fulltime jobs, parttime jobs, freelance jobs, or contract work. Some fields are more remote friendly than others. While many workfromhome positions exist in data entry, customer service, and IT, there are frequently openings in:
- Accounting & Finance
- Education & Training
- Marketing
- Medical & Health
- Sales
Don’t rule out parttime, freelance, or contract work either. These can help you balance work and family life or even test the remote work waters.
- Applying for Remote Jobs
Found the perfect remote job? Fantastic! Now it’s time to apply. This involves crafting a thoughtful and wellwritten cover letter and resume. But remember, you need to highlight not just your skills and experiences, but also your remote work abilities.
Sell Your Skills
If you’ve got remote work experience, shout it from the rooftops. Mention it in your cover letter and resume. If not, dig deep to find relevant experiences. Coordinated a meeting across multiple time zones? Collaborated on a project remotely? Talk about it.
Employers want applicants to demonstrate:
- Comfort with technology
- Proactive communication skills
- Selfmotivation and focus
- Task and time management
Conduct a personal inventory to uncover your remote work skills. Your resume should highlight your tech skills, listing programs like Microsoft Office, Salesforce, QuickBooks, web and videoconferencing tools, online chat, document sharing, project management, and collaboration tools.
For more on highlighting your remote work skills, check out these guides:
- The Top 10 Skills Employers Want You to Have
- Top 7 Skills for Remote Workers
- Look for Legitimate Remote Jobs in the Right Location
Finding legitimate remote jobs and avoiding scams is crucial. Not all remote jobs are created equal. Some are hybrid, requiring both inoffice and remote work.
Many fully remote jobs have location requirements. This can be due to:
- Clients: You may need to meet clients in person.
- Legal: Licensing requirements or government regulations.
- Taxes: Companies may only pay employment taxes in certain states.
- Travel: Some remote jobs may require business trips, necessitating proximity to an airport.
Scam Alert: How to Find Legitimate Remote Jobs
Watch out for common scams, including product testing, rebate processing, and secret shopping. Red flags to look for:
Promises of “Unlimited earning potential” or “Quick money.”
Upfront expenses.
Requests for personal financial information early in the process.
Job offers without interviews or reference checks.
Trust your gut and research the company. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are good starting points. Use a search engine to check for any scam reports.
For more on avoiding job scams, see these guides:
5 Job Interview Alarm Bells That Signal a Job Scam
How to Protect Yourself Online During Your Job Search
How to Stay Away From LinkedIn Scams
What Are Recruiting Scams? 6 Ways to Spot Recruitment Fraud
- Ace Your Remote Job Interview
Preparing for a remote job interview involves some unique steps. Remote interviews usually involve a phone or video call, so you need to show off your tech skills.
Ensure you have a reliable internet connection. Test your setup beforehand. Choose a professional looking spot for the interview, free from interruptions.
Worldwide VA’s career experts suggest, “For video interviews, practice answering questions on camera. It’s hard to get used to at first, so practising ahead of time will calm your nerves for the real interview.”
Common Remote Job Interview Questions
Expect some remote specific interview questions, such as:
- Where do you work when you’re remote?
- Why do you want to work remotely?
- How do you handle distractions? How do you stay focused?
These questions help the interviewer assess if you have the skills to succeed as a remote employee.
For more interview
tips, see these guides:
10 Things to Do the Day of Your Job Interview
30 Common Interview Questions, Tips, and Example Answers
How to Ask About Remote Work During a Job Interview
Top Situational Interview Questions and Example Answers
Start Your Remote Job Search
For even more tips on finding remote job opportunities, we created a comprehensive, downloadable guide. This in-depth look at how to get a remote job will help you figure out which remote jobs are best for you and what you can do to make yourself stand out among all the other applicants and start your remote career.
Ready to launch your remote job search? Worldwide VA can help! In addition to exclusive access to our jobs database, members get access to skills tests, webinars, and many other resources to support a successful job search and career. Take a tour of our platform to learn more!