The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic shift in the employment landscape, with many businesses now embracing remote work as the new norm. This shift has created new opportunities for job seekers who value the freedom and flexibility that come with working from home.

However, landing a remote job can be challenging, and requires a different approach than traditional job hunting.

In this post, we will explore the challenges of finding a remote job and provide practical tips on how to improve your chances of getting hired. We will also highlight the best places to look for remote jobs and cover the most in-demand remote job sectors. Last but certainly not least, we will look into whether remote jobs pay better than traditional ones.

So, if you're looking to join the remote workforce, keep reading!
Feel free to skip ahead to the section you're interested in.

• Challenges of finding a remote job
• How to get hired for a remote job
• Best websites to look for remote jobs
• What industries are best for remote work?
• Do remote jobs pay better?

Securing a remote job can be a challenging task due to various obstacles such as limited job opportunities, legal and tax implications, and fierce competition.

Limited 'work-from-anywhere' options:
Despite the changes brought about by the pandemic, many companies that offer remote work still require employees to work from a specific location, usually for tax and legal reasons. This makes finding a true "work from anywhere" job a challenge.

However, there are companies like Deel that provide services to help businesses sign contracts with remote employees, giving hope for more flexible work arrangements in the future. Typically, task-oriented emerging startups are the most likely to offer truly location-independent jobs.

Tax and legal considerations:
If you want to work from anywhere, it's important to consider tax and legal requirements. You'll need to determine whether you will pay taxes in your home country or if you need to pay taxes in the country you reside in. There are some tax-friendly locations like Bali and Dubai, so do your research!

Sometimes, companies take care of this by finding an agency in your home country and making a contract with that agency, which then hires you.

Competition:
With the rise of remote work, competition for remote jobs has become more intense. Job seekers are now applying for the same positions from all over the world, making it harder to stand out from the crowd. To be successful, you need to develop strategies to set yourself apart from other applicants.

Finding a remote job can be challenging, but with the right approach, it's possible to land the job of your dreams. Let's take a look at a couple of tips on how to get hired for a remote job.

1. Use your social capital and expand your network:
One of the best ways to find remote job opportunities is to use your social capital. Keep in touch with colleagues from past projects and ask them if they know of any remote job openings. You can also join digital nomad communities online or in-person to meet like-minded people and expand your network. Co-working spaces are great places to connect with other remote workers and potential employers. If you happen to be in Bali, co-working spaces like Kinship and Bali are good places to expand your network.

2. Be active as an expert in your industry on relevant platforms:
To increase your chances of being noticed by potential remote employers, be active as an expert in your industry on your social platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Share your knowledge, engage with others in your field, and show off your skills. This can help you stand out to potential employers who are looking for experts in your field.

3. Tailor your application to remote work:
To increase your chances of getting hired for a remote job, you need to tailor your application to remote work, as well as the specific job and company. Here are some tips:
- Highlight your remote work skills: Make sure your application shows that you have experience working remotely or that you have skills that are relevant to remote work. For example, if you have experience using collaboration tools like Slack or Trello, mention it in your resume.
- Demonstrate your independence: Remote jobs require self-motivated individuals who can work independently. Use your cover letter to show how you have worked independently in the past and how you manage your time.
- Be responsive: Employers want to hire people who are responsive and communicative. Make sure you respond to emails promptly and demonstrate that you are available during working hours.
- Research the company: Before applying for a remote job, research the company to understand its culture and values. Ensure you can align with their mission and explain why you want to work for them.

There are several websites where you can find remote job opportunities. Here are some of them:
Remote.co: This website lists remote job opportunities in a variety of industries. They also have a section with remote job listings for startups.
Trulyremote.co: This website has a curated list of remote job opportunities from around the world, with a focus on digital nomads and remote workers. They also have a blog with tips on remote work and lifestyle.
We Work Remotely: This website has a wide range of remote job opportunities, from marketing to software development. They also have a section for freelance jobs.
Workew.com: This website specializes in remote job opportunities and has a range of positions across different industries.
Indeed: Indeed is a job search website that allows you to filter for remote jobs. You can also set up job alerts to receive notifications when new remote jobs are posted.
LinkedIn: You've probably heard already about LinkedIn, the social media platform for professionals that is popular for its job search function. You can filter for remote jobs and set the location as worldwide. The platform also allows you to set up job alerts to receive notifications when new remote jobs are posted. But, please pay close attention to the job descriptions though, as many of them mention that you need to be in a specific timezone or location.
FlexJobs: This is a paid website that specializes in remote and flexible jobs. They verify the legitimacy of job postings and charge a fee for access to their database.

Freelancing platforms: If you're looking for remote work in fields like design, programming, and digital marketing, there are several freelancing platforms that can be helpful. Two of the most popular platforms are Fiverr and Upwork.

Digital nomad communities: Next to job websites, there are also various digital nomad communities, such as Nomeo, and Hivegeist, where you can expand your network, socialize and stay up to date with job opportunities that your existing network might have to offer.

The most in-demand remote jobs are in the technology industry, particularly software development and engineering. However, there are also remote job opportunities in other industries, such as customer service, marketing, and sales. The best industries for remote work are those that do not require physical presence and that can be done fully online.

If you're planning to work remotely, then you're probably asking yourself if remote jobs are well-paid. According to a survey by Payscale, remote workers earn on average 23% more than their on-site counterparts. This may be because companies that hire remote workers can save on office space, utilities, and other overhead costs, allowing them to offer higher salaries to remote employees. The difference in average forked salaries between remote and full-time jobs is almost nowhere to be felt, except in places with a high cost of living.

However, not all remote jobs pay more than traditional jobs. It's important to research salary information for your specific job and industry before you start your job search.

Keep in mind that while salary is a critical factor, other things like work-life balance, job security, and benefits should also be considered before deciding if a remote job is right for you.

Writer— Denise Wilhaus

Thanks for reading this content. Contact us for help with your CV, cover letter, job search strategy, and vacancies: myjobroad@gmail.com / www.myjobroad.org