Working remotely is appealing to many young professionals. There is a freedom that comes with working outside of conference rooms and cubicles. Technology—especially telecommunications apps and software—has made it possible for a number of professionals to work from home or from a library or coffee shop.
Skills in Demand for Remote Workers
Remote workers need to hone a number of skills to develop a thriving career that keeps the rent/mortgage paid and the lights on. Skills in high demand right now include:
- Digital marketing
- Software and app development
- Online tutoring and education services
- Copywriting and digital content creation
- Copyediting
- Graphic Design
- Virtual Assisting
- Virtual Customer Service Representatives
- Blogging
- Video Production/Editing
- Online Consulting, Life Coaching, and Professional Development
- Social Media Management
- Website Design
While this list is not comprehensive, it does give a window into possibilities for those who desire remote work.
Where to Find Remote Work
Knowing where to find remote work can be cumbersome to people new to working outside of traditional settings. While some traditional job sites like Monster or Indeed list openings for remote workers, the options are quite slim. More helpful resources include websites dedicated to placing professionals who work on a contract-basis with a variety of businesses.
Here are some examples that can help you get your toe in the door with remote opportunities:
We Work Remotely
Weworkremotely.com is our favorite place to find jobs strictly for the Remote Hustler! With over 2.5M monthly visitors, WWR is the #1 destination to find and list incredible remote jobs.
Upwork
Upwork.com is a job site that doubles as a professional network for remote workers. Those who provide copywriting, software development, graphic design services, and more can find a plethora of gigs and contracts to apply for at no cost.
Remote.Co
Remote.Co is a hub for digital nomads and remote workers. This site provides resources to budding digital nomads and seasoned remote workers alike. It also posts jobs for a number of industries including accounting, data entry, and customer service.
FlexJobs
Founded in 2007, FlexJobs strives to eliminate the hassle of looking for freelance and remote work. Freelancers can attest to the time-wasting endeavor of answering job listings that are actually scams or predatory offers. FlexJobs employs researchers who help evaluate the authenticity of remote job postings so that freelancers and digital nomads can find great opportunities more efficiently.
Outsourcely
Outsourcely helps connect more than 400,000 remote workers with companies in over 180 countries. This website caters to developers, marketing gurus, and administrative professionals, too.
Lesser-Known Skills That Help Digital Nomads Thrive
While it’s a given that remote workers need to be relatively tech savvy and flexible, there’s a number of lesser-known skills digital nomads need to survive.
If you’re wondering if forging a freelance career is right for you, consider whether you have the following traits – or how you can work to improve them!
- Organization – Are you a generally organized person? When you’re working remotely, you need to stay on top of your to-do list, every day. You might also be juggling multiple contracts from different employers. Staying organized will help you perform as expected and meet your obligations.
- A Strong Work Ethic – Working remotely is competitive. If you fall behind or tend to spend too much time daydreaming, it could cost you a contract. A strong work ethic is a necessity for survival—especially long-term.
- Professionalism – While you might get to work in your pajamas with a cat on your lap, you still must maintain a level of professionalism as a digital nomad. Your communication, especially in e-mails and on conference calls, must always remain professional and productive.
- Time Management and Self-Motivation – When you’re working remotely, you might not have to worry about the physical presence of your superiors, but you will need to meet your deadlines. This can be cumbersome for people who have trouble staying on task. If you find yourself falling down a YouTube rabbit hole on the clock, you’ll need to think about what you can do to help you stay focused if you choose to work remotely.
People around the world enjoy the flexibility and freedom that comes with working remotely. If you’re new to remote work, consider taking on a small side hustle to test the waters. Since the digital age changes rapidly, it’s a good idea to continue to develop your professional skills and seek networking opportunities in your free time.
