Remote work has become a popular option for workers seeking flexibility in how and where they work. And the prevalence of remote work opportunities has grown in several industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent data highlights positions in finance, computers, media, and arts as more likely to have remote (or “telework”) employees working at least some hours from home or another offsite location.
However, although there is an increasing amount of remote jobs available, these jobs aren't always easy to find. Read on to learn how to find remote jobs and how to prepare yourself to land your next work-from-home opportunity.
Understanding remote work
Work-from-home jobs can be described using a variety of terms, including:
- Fully remote — Fully remote jobs don’t require employees to come into an office or physical location at all. This means 100% of the job can be done from home or an appropriate off-site location, as long as you meet the agreed-upon working hours and performance goals.
- Hybrid — Hybrid roles require employees to come into an office or physical location at least some of the time. For example, this could mean working from home three days a week and in the office for the other two. Or working one week a month in the office and the rest of the time at home.
- Telecommuting — Similar to a hybrid approach, telecommuting roles allow employees to primarily work from home, but may require attendance at a primary office location for meetings, training, or specific face-to-face tasks.
How the work offered is structured can differ, too. Within each of these various work arrangements, you can see:
- Full-time employees working around 40 hours per week, with eligibility for benefits like paid time off and health plans
- Part-time employees, who work fewer hours and may or may not have access to all benefits
- Independent contractors or gig workers, who are considered sole proprietors and don’t receive benefits
- Freelancers, who are also self-employed but work with multiple clients and handle all of their own business operations
In practice, someone can work remotely and either be employed full-time, part-time, or self-employed as an independent contractor, gig worker, or freelancer. Whereas most in-office workers are employees.
What you need to be successful at remote work
Each remote job has its own requirements. At a minimum, most companies need you to have the following:
- Reliable, high-speed internet — Most employers require remote workers to have a wired internet connection like fiber or DSL, with solid upload/download speeds for screen sharing and video calls. Some wireless options may be fast enough, but aren't always accepted by employers.
- Capable computer —If a computer is not issued by the company, it is also typically expected that remote workers own a computer that has enough memory to run basic office applications, take Zoom calls, and store important files. Tablets or other mobile devices may not work.
- Headset and webcam — Most computers come with webcams, but an external headset helps keep calls professional and reduce background noise.
If working from home, a quiet, separate space, like the corner of a bedroom or spare room, may be enough to give you privacy and a professional look. Some employers offer a small stipend to pay for co-working or remote office rentals. Any arrangement should include an ergonomic desk and a chair set up to help you stay healthy while working.
Self-employed professionals usually cover the costs of these items as part of their business expenses.
Where to look for remote jobs
There are three main pathways to finding remote work: remote-specific job boards, general boards with filters, and direct company connections and networking.
Some of the best remote job boards include We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and Working Nomads, which focus heavily on work-from-anywhere roles. They mainly offer tech, marketing, and customer service gigs, but you can find work in other industries, too. FlexJobs and Virtual Vocations also focus on remote work, but show the best jobs to paid members only.
You might also try general job platforms, with “remote” or “hybrid” filters set to only show those jobs. Currently, you can set filters on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and Wellfound, but each job description will describe how much in-office work (if any) is required. To narrow your search even more, include the type of role you want along with terms like “virtual,” “open to remote,” or “flexible location.”
If you know what companies you want to work for, start on their websites, and filter the job list by “remote” or “work from home.” You might also follow companies on LinkedIn to see when they talk about new job openings before they list them on job boards. There’s also no substitute for networking directly, whether at a job fair or by chatting with people in an industry that’s actively hiring remote positions.
Remember, some of the best remote jobs never appear on job listing sites, and the job posts that do appear online often get hundreds (or thousands) of responses. To improve your chances of being noticed, try leveraging any alumni groups you may have access to or by asking existing employees if they can refer you.
Crafting your remote job application
Finding possible remote jobs can take time, but it's also worthwhile to spend time tailoring your resume for remote roles, so you're ready to apply when a good fit pops up. To tailor your resume for remote roles, read each of the online remote job listings and match keywords in your resume to what’s required in the job.
Don’t forget to add remote-friendly language to your past work history by adding “remote” or “hybrid” when applicable and highlighting those skills that are more useful in work-from-home environments. These may include proficiency in virtual collaboration tools like Zoom or Slack, time management, and strong written communication skills. Depending on the role, the employer may want to see examples of adaptability, working across different time zones, the ability to work various shifts, or deliver fast project turnarounds.
Save different versions of your resume for different industries or roles; then, submit the appropriate one for each opportunity you apply for.
Finally, list any equipment or infrastructure you already have that can support the role, like having high-speed internet or a private, quiet office space.
Red flags to watch for in remote job listings
Not all job listings or offers are what they seem. Remote jobs in particular can be targeted by scammers hoping to take advantage of applicants. Here are some red flags to be aware of in job listings:
- Too good to be true jobs that promise over-the-top pay for easy work, or that pay well with no experience needed
- Vague job titles with no clear responsibilities or no clarity on what you’ll be doing
- Promises of instant hiring without interviews and roles that start the same day
Once you make contact with the hiring team for an otherwise legitimate-sounding job, you may encounter one of these warning signs:
- Requests for money for training, certification, onboarding, or equipment
- Payment via check that you must use to buy equipment, and wire back any extra
- Requests for screenshots of your bank details, social security numbers, or credit report before you even get hired
Legitimate employers pay you, not the other way around. Even if you get what sounds like a real job, don’t send private information for payment or tax purposes until you’re certain it's a legitimate opportunity. You should be able to vet each company and go through an official payroll or HR tool to be sure you are sending your information securely.
Avoid jobs from companies you can’t find online, that don’t match their website or LinkedIn page, or lack reviews from customers or other job seekers. Sites like Glassdoor or Indeed maintain employer profiles with real reviews that you can use to see how they actually do hiring.
A simple list of questions to ask includes:
- Can I verify that this company exists independently of any information they send me?
- Is the job description detailed, with specifics for responsibilities, pay, and reporting lines?
- Have I been asked for money up front or highly sensitive personal information?
If the answers make you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to stop communication and walk away. You can also report job scammers to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local law enforcement agency.
Final remote career advice
Thanks to the internet and online communities, there’s more exposure for remote jobs than ever before. Utilizing these tools can make it easier to find these opportunities, but it's important to also remember that there is often more competition for these roles. The best way to get the remote job of your dreams is to understand your strengths, market yourself well, and apply early to anything that interests you. With these remote job search tips, it’s just a matter of time before you find the perfect fit.