3 Strategies for Landing Your Remote Dream Job In 2018

Many of us have had a lifelong dream of the remote job lifestyle, sitting by a beach in Bali with your laptop on the table as you work, and a piña colada or mai thai waiting at the end of the long workday. Or maybe you’re more of a winter weather kind of person, and you’re dreaming of sitting by a fire while you finish some web design, answer questions for money as an English tutor, or do some copywriting as the snow falls on the slopes outside.

And the best part about the remote job lifestyle is that anytime you start to envision yourself somewhere else, you’re able to change the scenery as quickly as boarding the next flight.

So if you’re looking to land a remote dream job in 2018, check out these strategies:

1 Get some remote experience

Working remotely is something that takes a lot of self-discipline, the ability to plan in advance, and, depending on the job, flexible hours that may require to you work an odd schedule (for example, on weekends or late evenings). If a remote employer sees you’ve already got some experience, they’ll know you’re ready for many of the challenges of working remotely.

If you’re struggling to land the exact remote job opportunity you’re looking for, it may be beneficial to get some experience working remotely in general to boost your resume. Luckily, there are lots of opportunities for remote work, even at entry levels; telecommuting is fast on the rise, according to The New York Times.

What’s more, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities out there for anyone who wants to work remotely. One example is teaching English online. There are many companies that only require you to be a native English speaker to tutor, and even if you only work there a month or two, it could really look good on your resume and set you apart from other candidates. Check out this list of virtual volunteer options from The Balance to learn more about where you can practice any number of skills remotely while making the world better a better place.

2 Get the right certifications

While you’re getting some remote job experience under your belt, the next thing to consider is getting certified for that remote dream job. For example, if you want to work remotely as a social media manager for a company like Juul e-cigarettes, promoting sales in English-speaking countries and online, then you may want to consider getting a social media certification. It will make you look more serious to employers, since it shows you’re striving to become professionally educated in your field, and you’ll also add skills to your resume and cover letter. Remember, even the people who design the Instagram accounts for major movies like People You May Know had to get their social media training somewhere.

To get started, take a look at HubSpot Academy. All their tools are free, and their classes include many subjects including inbound marketing, content marketing, emailing certification, growth-driven design training, and even technical software training for web designers already proficient in HTML and CSS.

3 Join remote work online communities

One of the best ways to learn about remote work opportunities and understand how to apply for remote jobs — which often expect different skills than ordinary office jobs — is by joining an online group that attracts online workers. Whether these are digital nomads running their own businesses from different hostels around the world or someone teaching English from the comfort of their own home, they’re passionate about their lifestyle and want to make it easier for you to find a remote job.

So check out Facebook sites such as Remote Like Me, REMOTE & TRAVEL JOBS, and Digital Nomad Girls if you’re looking for remote work. You’ll also want to look around on remote job specific job boards and use your favorite social media platforms to search for opportunities. For example, you can search certain hashtags to look for the right jobs; take a look at these articles on how to turn Facebook conversations into job offers and how to find your dream job on Twitter.

There’s a reason 37 percent of Americans have taken their careers virtual, and now that it’s a new year, it’s about time you started working alongside them, too. It can be a challenge to find, apply for, and snag your remote dream job, especially if it’s your first time working virtually. But if you prepare for the job and keep yourself informed about the remote job scene, you’ll find the perfect opportunity for your situation in no time.

What kinds of remote jobs are you searching for? Where have you been looking?