How to find the best remote jobs

Wondering how to get a remote job so you can ditch the cubicle for your cozy home or favorite café? 

You’re definitely not alone on this. 

Remote work’s appeal is undeniable, offering freedom, flexibility, and, yes, the glorious option to work in your pajamas. But let’s be real — snagging that remote job can be difficult.

No worries, though, because we’re here to help you navigate the process. This guide is packed with the must-knows, including how to navigate location independence and whip up a resume that stands out. And once you have a job that aligns with your values and lifestyle, we can help you create a workspace that boosts productivity. 

Let’s get started on this journey.

What is a remote job?

A remote job is one that can be worked from anywhere, as the employee uses technology to perform tasks and collaborate with teams worldwide. These positions are ideal for job seekers who value flexibility and hiring managers aiming to tap into global talent. 

Whether you're crafting projects from a home office or strategizing from a local cafe, remote work blurs traditional boundaries to provide employment opportunities for everyone, everywhere.

Our CEO Job van der Voort knows a thing or two about remote jobs. And he’s working hard to make sure the right people find the right jobs, no matter where they live. So he’s put together a little collection of expert advice for remote job seekers.

But this guide is helpful for people on both sides of the interview.

Remote job seekers: use this advice to get more targeted with the types of roles you are looking for to give yourself the best possible chance of landing your dream remote role.

Hiring managers, founders, and HR teams: reverse engineer these tips to find and attract top talent across the globe!

Remote job-seekers need to do their homework on what makes a remote job an awesome remote job. And HR needs to provide easy access to the information those job-seekers are looking for.

How to get a remote job that’s right for you 

Finding the right remote job is easier in fields like technology and communications, where people have been working remotely for years. But today, a variety of fields now seek remote workers, reflecting the global trend toward increased flexibility. 

Begin your search on remote work job boards, which offer a wide range of roles across industries. You can even use filters to find jobs that match your skills and interests.

Don’t overlook the power of networking, either, since those connections can lead to opportunities you can’t necessarily find on job boards. Engage with industry groups online, attend virtual conferences, and reconnect with former colleagues. A short conversation can reveal a job that aligns perfectly with both your career goals and lifestyle.

The right remote job for you is out there. It requires a mix of strategic searching and resourcefulness. Use both digital platforms and personal networks to uncover a role that fits not just your skill set but also your life.

The impact of location on remote job opportunities 

Wait! If it’s a remote job, then does it really matter where it is?

The short answer is yes, it does.

Read on for the long answer and things to consider when looking for remote jobs

“It's not hard to find remote jobs, but it's incredibly hard finding a remote job that works for you. If you're in the USA, it's much easier as most jobs are USA-only. Start by checking whether the job allows you to work from your location.”

The bottom line: you don’t want to waste time with companies you can’t work for.

Companies with a globally distributed workforce can handle employment in a few different ways, so find out how you’ll be employed. Whether you're engaged as a remote contractor or a remote employee, you should be aware of the risks and considerations specific to the employment legislation in your country.

“A company might employ you locally themselves, or they might use a company like Remote to engage you as a contractor or an employee."

It really depends on the company and the countries involved. If the company you’re looking at uses an employer of record like Remote, then you should be able to rest assured that your agreement will be compliant with all applicable local requirements. An employer of record (EOR) will act as your legal employer and manage your payments. If your employer isn't using an EOR, make sure the company has a fully owned legal entity in your country to make sure your employment contract is legally compliant.

So make sure the company in question is open to employing you in your home location.

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

And as a recruiter or HR professional, you need to familiarize yourself with the legal ramifications of employing remote workers. You must have a solid understanding of permanent establishment risk and the classification laws in each country of any new employee or contractor. Hiring remote workers definitely expands your talent pool, but every country is different. Know where you can and can’t hire and start there.

Legal requirements for remote work 

Understanding the legalities of your work status is crucial. It’s not just about finding a job — it's about making sure you can legally work from your ideal location. 

This means considering residency and citizenship requirements, which may involve securing special visas, permissions, or tax documents to remain compliant (of course, this is especially important for anyone looking to work as a digital nomad).

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“If you're planning to work from a different country than where you have citizenship, that can be a challenge. Make sure you understand whether you're allowed to do so - and if you need employer help, address that early on in the interview process.”

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

For those on the hiring side, understanding a candidate's right to work in their country of residence is paramount. It's essential to assess if your company can support their legal work status. Being prepared to address these questions during interviews is key. Using an Employer of Record (EOR) can significantly streamline this process. An EOR, with a legal entity in the relevant country, can offer precise advice on compliance, making the hiring of global remote workers smoother and legally sound.

Time zones and remote word productivity

Many companies transitioned to remote work in the wake of Covid, but that doesn’t mean they have a globally distributed team. Consider whether you want to be the one waking up at 4 in the morning for a team meeting.

“Try to get an idea (e.g. by searching employees on Linkedin) how the team is spread out. If you're the only person in a time zone far from the rest of the team - finding a new role there might be difficult.”

Even if the company is open to remote workers from your region, you should check to see if they have existing remote-first work practices. This will help you determine the level of commitment you'll need for the role. Without a culture facilitating remote work, you could find yourself working some difficult hours on your clock.

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

Time zones matter to HR, too. You know that team communication is vital and that can be tricky with employees who are sleeping during your whole work day. You may find yourself staying up all night to accommodate your workers if you don't have established async work practices and a culture of remote-first communication and documentation.

Understanding hybrid work and travel requirements

“Lastly, make sure to understand what the office/meetup requirements are. Some companies ask you to come into some meetings at company headquarter or attend off-sites once in a while. This can be really fun, or a challenge based on your personal circumstances. Think time to travel and visas.”

The world is opening up, and a lot of companies may ask you to travel to them from time to time. Make sure you’re willing and able to do that. Are you well enough to travel? Do you have proper travel documents? Where is the closest company office to your location? Is it possible. for you to manage whatever travel is required with your existing life commitments?

Conversely, if you’re into the idea of remote work because you like to travel, then you might want to seek out companies that bring the possibility of travel into the equation.

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

International travel can get expensive, so companies need to be ready for those costs. And HR managers need to make the expectations clear. On the bright side, you can use ‌travel as a benefit to attract ambitious candidates who aspire to the digital nomad lifestyle. These candidates are specifically seeking remote opportunities (and are often highly skilled and very experienced). This could give you access to a new pool of valuable and ambitious talent.

Choose a remote work culture that aligns with your values

Just because a company is willing and able to hire a remote worker doesn't necessarily mean they’ll provide the flexibility you might expect. Companies without a remote-first culture can unwittingly isolate and ostracize remote workers without adequate support (particularly those who operate with a predominantly on-premise or hybrid model).

A remote-first culture (one that gives all employees equal access to resources and opportunities) is necessary for any company with a component of remote workers, so try to look for indicators of this culture when you're scouting a fully remote role.

The best remote companies have a combination of the following factors:

Inclusion and diversity policies

“Organizations that work truly remotely have few to no excuses for not being diverse. You can hire from anywhere in the world, meaning your company should have some sort of reflection of what the world looks like.”

Luckily, this is easy to evaluate.

“Ask for the numbers and look at who is interviewing you. Ask about diversity and inclusion projects in the organizations. Also here, you should expect larger organizations to do much more, not less than young companies.”

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

HR managers and recruiters can definitely help address diversity issues. Regularly monitor and report on key performance indicators to help you quantify your progress as an organization. Similarly, make sure you are conducting regular surveys across your team to give an opportunity for direct feedback. This will help you gauge satisfaction and pinpoint weaknesses more quickly.

Build a specific, measurable policy to work toward strengthening diversity in your organization. Start from the ground up and write job descriptions that encourage candidates from all backgrounds and take practical steps to find a wider range of more diverse candidates. For more specific information, read Remote's guide to remote-first recruitment.

Global compensation policy

Salary and compensation are obviously very important to job-seekers. You want to ensure you’re getting a fair offer and that the offer will cover your lifestyle. Don’t feel you need to take a position that won’t pay you enough. 

“The best way to get a higher offer is by asking for it. That can be really challenging, but it's a win-win: if the response is poor, the future you'd have with that company can't be very good either. If it's positive, you just got yourself some more money!”

“Look for some policy on global compensation. It's up to you to decide what an acceptable answer sounds like.”

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

If you’re hiring and want to attract the best talent, you need to offer competitive compensation. Start with your compensation policy and then do your research.

Does your business have a global compensation policy? If you're considering hiring remote workers, it’s time to figure it out. And if you’re a smaller company, there’s no time like the present to develop one. It’s only going to make you more attractive to top talent.

Remote's guide to calculating global compensation is a great place to start!

Clear time-off policy

Unlimited time-off is becoming a more and more common benefit. And it does sound wonderful, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to take off as much time as they can? But these policies can be culturally tricky for employees to navigate, especially when team members in some countries have different levels of statutory annual leave.

Unfortunately, when such policies aren’t combined with a minimum time-off requirement, people tend not to take time off, which leads to burnout. And that’s bad for both workers and companies.

“Unlimited time-off policies don't cut it anymore. There needs to be a minimum (which can just be the statutory minimum). How does your company deal with public holidays? The best remote employers document this clearly”

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

Be prepared for remote job-seekers to ask for the details about leave policies up front. Many people are attracted to the flexibility that remote work offers, and a more balanced relationship between work and life is often a key motivator. Of course, the best remote companies will have that info clearly spelled out in their company handbook.

Effective meeting policy

Meetings can easily take over your calendar. And it’s certainly more fun to actually do the work you’re hired to do than to sit in on countless virtual meetings.

Look for remote companies to have: “Internal expectations on what meetings are and aren't for. If you never hear the word “async” or “asynchronous” (meetings that are recorded so that you can watch them on your own schedule) when you ask, be warned. An easy check is to ask the people interviewing you how many meetings they have a day.”

Mandated Zoom meetings, though helpful for project collaboration, can be difficult for a global team in multiple time zones. Find out how often you’re required to attend these types of meetings and whether real-time communication tools like Slack can be used instead. 

What does this mean for the hiring manager?

If you’re in HR and thinking of your own packed meeting schedule, then it’s time to think about creating an effective meeting policy for your company. And now is also a good time to start investigating how async can drive productivity in your job and throughout the company. Remote's guide to running a successful meeting is specifically developed for companies with a globally distributed team. Use this resource to guide your internal practices.

Prepare your remote work resume and cover letter — and then ace your interview 

Securing a remote position is more than just a job hunt. It’s about demonstrating the unique skills that help you thrive, whether your workspace is digital or not. 

In remote employment, companies are on the lookout for individuals who aren’t just experts in their fields but also champions in communication, stellar at managing their time, and driven by motivation — the cornerstones of remote success.

Crafting the perfect remote work resume and cover letter

To help your application stand out, discuss your remote-ready competencies rather than just listing your achievements. Even without direct remote experience, your ability to adapt and excel in a virtual environment can shine through the right examples. 

Start by decoding the job listing to find those golden keywords that reflect the role. You should have similar words in your resume. Then, show how you can thrive in that role. Did you steer a project to success from your home office? Or maybe you orchestrated a team spread across time zones. These examples showcase your initiative and responsibility. 

Global HR —

19 min

How to build a strong culture with a remote team

Learn how to build a remote work culture employees love, and get inspired by companies that are pioneering culture-building in remote work.

But it’s not just about what you’ve done. It’s also about how you connect to the heart of the company you want to join. Weave your achievements into ideas from the company’s mission to show your enthusiasm for what they stand for.

Customizing your cover letter for the role and company isn’t just strategic — it shows your genuine interest in — and alignment with — their company culture.

Acing your remote job interview

The interview stage is your moment to shine. 

Beyond researching the company beforehand, make sure you’re technically prepared, from having a stable internet connection to being proficient in their preferred communication platform. Your choice of clothing and what you have in the background speaks volumes about your remote work readiness, too. Let these things mirror your professionalism and suitability for the virtual office.

Here’s where you truly differentiate yourself: arm yourself with questions that not only show you’ve done your homework but also reveal your eagerness to contribute and grow within the company’s remote framework.

Landing a remote job goes beyond traditional job search tactics. It's about illustrating, through every interaction — be it through your resume, cover letter, or the way you handle your interview — that you’re not just seeking any job. You’re after a role where you can leverage your talents fully from anywhere in the world.

Essential tips for thriving in your remote career 

Securing your dream remote job is just the beginning. Here are some tips for not only managing your day-to-day tasks but truly excelling in your new remote career:

• Craft your ideal schedule: Discover the power of a well-structured day. Find your peak productivity times and tailor your work hours around them. It’s all about delivering outstanding work, not clocking in extra hours.

• Design your dream workspace: Transform your space with elements that spark joy and productivity‌. ‌Think natural light, cozy yet stimulating, with all the tech trimmings. Plus, many forward-thinking companies provide stipends for home office setups.

• Build meaningful connections: Dive deep into the digital world to stay in sync with your team. From fun ice-breakers to dedicated chat spaces, you can create bonds that bridge any distance.

• Master the art of virtual teamwork: Keep the team spirit alive across time zones with creative collaboration and regular check-ins. Every team member should feel included, valued, and connected.

• Embrace self-care and continuous growth: Balance is key. Mix in movement, mindfulness, and healthy habits to keep your engine running smoothly. And don't forget to level up your skills with online learning opportunities, too.

Integrating these strategies into your routine is your secret to thriving in the remote work world. With these tips, you're not just working remotely‌ — you're building a career and life you love, filled with growth, balance, and endless possibilities.

Converting from contract work to a ‌full-time remote position

Are you freelancing right now and looking to lock down full-time employment status? If you want better benefits, more flexibility, and more freedom in where you live and work, you can anonymously nominate your department leader or HR manager, and Remote will reach out to make it happen for you.

We make it easy to convert you from a contractor to a full-time employee with Remote, no matter where in the world you are working!

Use our Choose Remote toolkit to level up your search

At Remote, our mission is to help anyone, anywhere find their dream job. We're passionate about enabling companies to build a global workforce and we're here to make it easy for them to build trusting global teams.

If you're an aspiring remote worker, we have the tools you need to reimagine what it means to work and create the work-life balance you seek.

Download our exclusive toolkit to get started.

We created our Choose Remote toolkit to help you fast-track progress. You can expect some helpful expert insights on how to advocate for flexibility at work, find the best remote job opportunities, or how to relocate while keeping your job remotely.

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