How to Get a Remote Job

Remote job opportunities are just as available now as they were in 2021! Discover how to get a remote job, as well as careers that have opportunities for remote work.

Finding Real Remote Jobs

There’s plenty of information overload around remote work. While it might seem too good to be true and like a hotbed of scams for some people, there are real, high-quality opportunities for work out there. However, it helps to get some specialized support so you can excel in your role.

• Virtual career coaching: SkillUp offers free virtual career coaching every other week. These group coaching sessions are a remote work resource that allows you to work with expert career coaches so you can work remotely without needing to get a college degree.
• Cutting through the noise: You’ll need to do some legwork early in the job-hunting process to determine which remote careers are legitimate and which ones aren’t. There are plenty of scam job postings that promise high salaries for duties like data entry. Research every company advertising job openings that catch your eye, and see if they have them posted in multiple places—this can help you better ensure they’re legitimate.
• Resources for research: When you find a remote job that captures your interest and you start hearing from recruiters or talent specialists, it’s helpful to research who they are using the company website, LinkedIn, and other resources to learn more about the company and vet whether the open position is real and matches your interests.

How to Get a Remote Job with No Experience

There are all sorts of entry-level remote jobs available, including sales positions, loan review officers, and other positions. You don’t necessarily have to have experience working remotely, either—after all, everyone has to start somewhere.

However, if you have experience taking online courses, that can help you illustrate that you’re a self-starter to potential employers. Here are some tools we recommend using to develop your remote work capabilities:

• Remote job training: We work with educational organizations across the country to provide affordable remote training opportunities. These programs offer everything from jobs in software testing to graphic design so you can find a remote role that suits your passions, all while allowing you to familiarize yourself with what you need to be successful in a remote role.
• Remote skill building: In addition to our comprehensive remote job training courses, SkillUp also connects people with skill-building courses. These courses are designed to support your overall career development and help you learn how to use specific software programs. They also serve as a great way to practice working in a remote setting so you understand what to expect when you get the job you’re looking for.
• Find remote beginner jobs: SkillUp has a dedicated job board with specialized filters you can use to look for remote gateway jobs that allow you to gain experience. You can also filter by the industry you want to work for or the career path you’re following!

Pursuing a Remote Work Career

Some types of careers are adaptable to remote work, either early in the process or further down the line as you gain more experience. Some companies are also inherently remote or prefer to offer hybrid roles. Some careers that most commonly offer remote work opportunities include:

• Software developer: Whether frontend, backend, or full-stack, software developers frequently work remotely by nature of their work being fully digital. With some possible exceptions during the development process, many software development teams do most of their work remotely.
• Medical records specialist: With patient medical records being largely digital, medical records specialists are essential for compiling, processing, and maintaining compliance. These records specialists and coders often work remotely to allow more space in hospitals for patient care.
• Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerk: If you’re good with numbers and technology, you can get remote training to use programs like Quickbooks and take on remote work as an auditing, accounting, or bookkeeping specialist. These professionals have long been able to work from anywhere, and they’re a key example of the phrase, “Work is where the wifi is.”

Tips for Working Remotely

Being able to work remotely is its own skill set that needs to be developed, just like other soft skills. Here are some remote work tips we recommend for anyone who might be new to the world of remote work:

• Learn how to leverage Zoom: It’s not the only program companies use for remote work, but learning how to master Zoom as a meeting tool can help you get a better grasp on using other telecommuting tools like Microsoft Teams or Google Meet.
• Prepare for virtual interviews: There are some nuances to interviewing remotely that can make a difference in whether you get to advance to the next round or have to start back at square one. Dress just as professionally as you would for an in-person interview, make sure your camera is at eye level to avoid the dreaded view up your nose, and choose a neutral or otherwise put-together background. After all, your background will say just as much about who you are as your responses will!
• Take advantage of career coaching: Career coaching can help you understand some of the finer points of developing yourself for a long, successful remote career. A good career coach can help you develop your self-starting mindset and written communication skills, along with essentials for sustainability like developing a mindset for your work-life balance.
• Set up a dedicated space for remote work: This working-from-home tip is essential after you land the job. Having a space that’s only for working remotely can help you maintain your work-life balance more effectively and make it easier to eliminate potential distractions that would come up in other parts of the house. Some people even take this a step further by renting coworking spaces!
• Stay equipped: Many employers will help you get the equipment you need for a remote job, but it can also help to set yourself up ahead of time with a proper work environment. For example, set yourself up with a standing desk or other desk setup so you don’t have to hunch over at your kitchen table. You might also want to move your wifi router closer to your office or purchase an extender to get better coverage in that part of the house.

How SkillUp Can Help

Helping people find remote jobs they love is a part of what we do! We connect people with long-lasting, upwardly mobile roles that are remote, in-person, or hybrid depending on their personal needs.

Here are just a few of the people we’ve helped elevate their skills and find remote careers that work for them!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Remote Jobs Going Away?

While there aren’t as many jobs that are fully remote as there were between 2020–2022, there are still plenty to be found. Given how much the culture has shifted for workers, they probably won’t go away altogether for certain industries.

What Is a Hybrid Remote Job?

A hybrid remote job is a type of work that involves a combination of some time spent telecommuting and some time spent in the office.

For example, an employee might work in the office three days out of the week and from home for two. Otherwise, certain days of the month might require in-person meetings or on-site development. Many companies offer hybrid remote positions because they’ve recognized the need and seen that productivity is unaffected.

What Kind of Remote Jobs Are There?

All sorts! Some of the most common remote job titles we’ve seen include:

• Software engineer
• Help desk technician
• Sales representative
• Accountant
• Customer service representative
• Graphic designer
• Recruiter
• Web designer

That’s just the beginning! Many roles can be done remotely, provided that you have the necessary work-from-home resources like self-management skills and a consistent wifi connection.

Are Remote Jobs Hard to Get?

While they aren’t necessarily harder to get on principle, remote jobs can be more challenging to get because they often have a larger, more competitive pool of candidates. This is especially true for jobs that are hiring anywhere within the country.

In most cases, the best way to find remote jobs is to be persistent about how often you’re applying. You can also try to find remote jobs with companies that are based out of your state or region. However, it’s most important to continue submitting applications and being diligent about how you apply to them—proving that you can work remotely can also help.

What Remote Jobs Pay Well?

The salary you can expect to earn at remote jobs depends on several factors, including your level of experience and certifications. However, there are some remote-oriented jobs that tend to pay better than others, including:

• Software development
• Software quality assurance testing
• Computer systems administration
• Web development and design
• Graphic design
• Human resources
• Sales and account management
  Learn How to Get a Remote Job with SkillUp

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