Digital nomad jobs: how to find them and land one
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Harrison Pierce
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Digital nomad jobs: how to find them and land one
Finding the right job can be challenging, so finding the right remote job will be even harder, right? Not exactly; by looking in the right place and finding the right talents you already possess or are growing, finding remote work can be even easier than finding a suitable office space. Job boards like the one Citizen Remote are currently developing make it easy for aspiring remote workers to find the right digital nomad jobs.
As long as you believe in yourself and know your abilities, you can find the perfect digital nomad job for you.
The best types of digital nomad jobs
Any job you can do remotely would make for a great digital nomad. However, here are a few things to consider when deciding on a career. First, some jobs let you work remotely but require you to work during a particular time zone. For example, if you want to focus your digital nomad journey in Southeast Asia but are required to clock in at 9:00 am East Coast Time, that could get difficult quickly. You should also consider how much you would like to work and how much money you need to make to support your lifestyle. The cost of living varies significantly between countries, so you could live somewhere with a low cost of living and freelance, only working part-time. Or you could live somewhere more expensive and work full-time. Whatever your preference, it is helpful to know upfront before you start applying.
The best types of digital nomad jobs are those that allow you to not only work remotely but work on your schedule. Our favorites are social media managers, virtual assistants, web developers, copywriters, and marketers. Think about the skills that you already possess or skills that you would like to learn. There are a lot of courses out there that can help you refine your skills or give you the certifications you need to get started. You can take a web development or coding course if you’re great with computers. There is never a shortage of remote jobs – you just have to find the ones that interest you and utilize your unique skillset.
Explore new options
If you already have a job that you enjoy but do not live the lifestyle you want, you can take those skills and apply them to new options. For example, suppose you work for an ad agency but have to visit the office daily. In that case, you could consider starting your own ad agency or consulting for other agencies worldwide. Anything that lets you work from a computer without needing to be in the same office or time zone is helpful.
Explore new options like consulting in new fields like social media or even trading cryptocurrency. No matter how old you are, you can switch careers entirely to do the thing that you love. For example, if you are an accountant but have always wanted to be a tour guide, take a course on how to be the best tour guide you can be and explore that as an option for a full-time career. Although using what you know can be a great starting point, you can always explore new possibilities until you find what suits you best.
Where to find digital nomad jobs
The best places to find jobs for digital nomads are job boards that specifically target those interested in this kind of lifestyle. The Citizen Remote job board is the best place to find a new job for your life abroad. Our job board only includes opportunities that allow you to work remotely from any time zone.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Each of these sites lets you find remote jobs that are great for living out the digital nomad lifestyle. They also provide helpful tips for finding and landing remote jobs on their platform. It is essential to keep an eye on these sites regularly. Unfortunately, the digital nomad lifestyle is becoming more popular than ever, so demands for these types of jobs are at an all-time high. New jobs are constantly getting posted and then filled, so you need to stay on top of the job boards to find the one that works best for you.
Beyond the listing sites
If you are not having any luck on job boards, you can always reach out to companies you’d like to work for and see where they need work done. The best-case scenario is you get hired as a freelancer or full-time. The worst-case scenario is that you connect with a company you like, and they might reach out when they need something in the future.
Start developing your vision and seek out others that are doing the same. Many of your hobbies can become paid skills, so start creating a network of like-minded people and figure out goals for the future that you can work towards.
Another great way to land a job is to follow up with missed opportunities. Most people get jobs based on their relationships, so if you don’t get the job you were looking for, then keep a positive relationship with the hiring manager or company. Often they will think of you when something opens up, or they create a new position. So, for example, a job you interviewed for a few years ago can result in an offer today just because you kept in touch.
Networking is critical to long-term success in the digital nomad industry. Utilize resources like LinkedIn for staying connected professionally so hiring managers or acquaintances that you meet on the road can easily find you. You can also utilize sites that are specific to your field. For example, if you are a social media manager, follow and reach out to companies you’d like to partner with on social media platforms.
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How to land digital nomad jobs
There is no one way to land a job, but a few things make it a little easier. Practice, practice, practice! Prove to your future company and yourself that you have the skills you need, even if you are not currently getting paid for them. Rather than sending out mass applications with the same resume, tailor it to the job you want. Then, all you have to do is nail the interview.
Once you have found some jobs you might be interested in, follow these tips for landing one.
Practice before getting paid
Productive hobbies like blogging and running social media can translate to paid remote skills. If you are interested in social media management, copywriting, or marketing, having a portfolio is extremely helpful in landing a job. Hiring managers want to see your skills and style, so publish a few unpaid pieces on the internet that you can reference when applying for a job. Not only can productive hobbies translate into jobs, but they can also result in payment. For example, if you are a copywriter, your blog can get monetized and give you some passive income each month. You can partner with companies to create paid ads if you are a social media creator. Never discount your skills or hobbies. Instead, figure out how these hobbies can pay you.
Another essential thing to do is ask yourself why you want to be a digital nomad or why remote work suits you. If you can’t explain to someone else why this life could be right for you, how will someone be ready to hire you? Companies that allow remote work do so for a reason, so ensure you can adequately explain why this is the path for you. This is much easier if you are already living the digital nomad lifestyle. Even if you aren’t, you can think hard about why this is the right fit for you and how that can make you even more productive in your career.
Resume and cover letter tips
The biggest tip for a career change, whether remote or in person, is to build your resume for the job you want. List accomplishments from previous jobs that show you have the right skills and quantify them wherever possible. Focus your resume on accomplishments at past jobs rather than just experience. Avoid buzzwords and focus on what makes you unique.
List skills that show proficiency with technology and self-motivation. Highlight certifications and anything that makes you stand apart from other applicants. Be willing to update your resume and cover letter for each application to better target what companies are looking for and why you can solve their problems.
For your cover letter, explain what you would do in your position and how you are an asset to the company. Show that you have researched and proven that you are the best person for the job. Personalized touches can also be helpful as they show how you will be as an employee and colleague.
Interview tips
Even though you’re not in the office, it is important to dress professionally still. Understand the company you are applying for to get an idea of how you should present yourself. For example, pick a spot that isn’t noisy for a Zoom or a phone interview. It is distracting for you and the interviewer to have a lot of background noise. It also brings into question whether or not you will be productive with remote work if you cannot find somewhere quiet to interview.
You will also want to find somewhere with excellent wifi, so your video does not get interrupted during your call. Interviewing remotely allows the hiring manager to glimpse how you will be while working remotely, so first impressions are essential. Make sure you do all the research on the company and the position. Be yourself, ask questions, and answer their questions to the best of your ability. If it is indeed the right fit, it will work out as long as you stay calm and confident.
Balancing digital nomad jobs with a digital nomad life
Remote work can move at a variety of paces. Sometimes you’re thrown straight in, so ensure you’re organized and on top of your responsibilities. You do not have the same accountability when you are out of the office, and if you are freelancing and making your schedule, it is essential to set realistic deadlines with clients and perform as well as possible. Open communication is vital, especially when you are not face-to-face.
The digital nomad lifestyle can be demanding if not appropriately planned, so it’s essential to have your travel/living accommodations be easily in order. Places like CitizenRemote.com and the up-and-coming Citizen Remote app can make this aspect of your life significantly easier. Whether you need help with visas for your next destination, ideas on where to go, or just want to plug into a network of like-minded people, we want to be your one-stop-shop for all digital nomads.
Finding fulfillment in digital nomad jobs
Fulfillment can come from wherever you seek it. Do not expect to be entirely fulfilled by any job. Working is a piece of the puzzle, not the entire thing. However, many become complacent working a job they do not like just to enjoy life for part of the time. With the right digital nomad job, you can find something you thoroughly want that allows you to live the life you also enjoy.
Dream Job or Dream Life? Determining what’s important to you
Many people spend their lives hunting for a dream job and never stop to live their life during their time off. As a digital nomad, you have the opportunity to live your dream life because of your job. It is not impossible to have it all, but it is essential to go out and live before life feels “just right” because that feeling will likely never come. You will never leap if you constantly wait for the right moment to jump.
Be willing to try new things! At some point, everything you love in life is something you haven’t tried, so get to exploring new opportunities to find new things you love. You will also undoubtedly find things you don’t like, but that is all part of the journey. Finding fulfillment is not just finding joy; but experiencing all our emotions.
In the end, remote work is all about living at your own pace, so just slow down when you need to. Know your limits as a worker and person, and let resources like Citizen Remote help you with the burdensome parts. This lifestyle is not for everyone, but if it is something that you have always dreamed of, it is certainly worth a try.
Our Community Drives it all
Join the community of remoters!
Digital nomad jobs
Finding a job as a digital nomad does not have to be nearly as difficult as it sounds. As long as you capitalize on your skills and are willing to learn a few more, you can find your dream career that also lets you live your dream lifestyle. Make sure you utilize your resources along the way and know that you are not alone in this journey. Many companies like Citizen Remote want to help you get out there and see the world.
Instead of reinventing the wheel, look for advice anywhere you can get it. If you follow these tips and put yourself out there, you can be living your dream life in no time.
Author
Harrison Pierce is a full-time digital nomad and freelance writer.
He specializes in travel and personal finance and works with a variety of companies and publications to create meaningful content. Harrison travels with his cat, Isabelle, and spends most of his time in South America. Although he has only been writing professionally for under a year, he has always had a passion for the craft.
