Remote freelance work is gaining popularity, and it’s not surprising. With the flexibility to work from any location, remote freelancing offers a highly fulfilling career opportunity for individuals seeking to earn a living on their own conditions.
With a multitude of options available, where should one begin when trying to find remote freelance jobs that align with their skills and lifestyle? Moreover, what does success entail when working as a remote freelancer?
What are remote freelance jobs?
Remote freelance jobs are a form of self-employment that permits individuals to work from their homes or any other remote place. Generally, freelancers offer services independently as contractors, including writing, web design, graphic design, social media management, market research, and virtual assistance. The advantage of working remotely for freelancers is the freedom to determine their own working schedule and engage in projects that are personally intriguing or meaningful.
Benefits of Working Remotely:
One of the many freedoms that come from working remotely is the ability to have greater control over your schedule and workload, which allows you to choose when and how much you want to work at any given time.
Furthermore, by working remotely, you can save money on commuting expenses and expand your potential client base as geographical limitations become obsolete.
The chance to pursue creative endeavors while still earning money is another benefit that freelancers often find leads to increased job satisfaction.
You can enjoy the freedom to choose your location with remote work, as it can be done from home or from places like your favorite coffee shop, library, or any other location.
Remote jobs offer the flexibility to select your preferred communication methods with clients, such as email, video conferencing, or project management software, depending on their preferences and availability.
By having healthy boundaries, you have the opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance, which allows you to concentrate on your remote freelance work and subsequently dedicate uninterrupted time for socializing with friends and family.
In this article, we will discuss the process of finding and securing remote freelance jobs, which provide an opportunity to earn money while enjoying the flexibility and freedom of working from home.
Individual or corporate remote work
In the past, the success of finding remote job opportunities was influenced by the specific kind of remote role one pursued. Positions that involved working from home typically emphasized individual output, like those held by writers, translators, teachers/instructors, salespeople, and consultants. However, the unexpected impact of the pandemic has drastically changed the landscape, allowing corporate employees to now carry out diverse remote jobs. Candidates who are proactive and open-minded are modifying their resumes and job search strategies to align with these emerging positions.
Adaptability and flexibility are necessary qualities for a remote-first employee due to the varying nature of remote work in different companies. It is important to prioritize the overall benefit of the remote team when making decisions. Although individual remote workers have more independence, it requires significant effort to uphold the same level of communication and purpose as in an office setting when collaborating with others.
The line between an individual remote job and corporate remote work has become less clear in job searches. While it is complex to determine if most corporate roles will become remote work positions, it is clear that many prominent companies (such as Google, Dropbox, Amazon, Wells Fargo, and others) recognize the advantages of offering full-time remote positions in terms of their employer reputation and retaining employees in the long run. Remote job boards are a useful resource for discovering such opportunities.
How to get an individual-led remote jobs
In order to establish a remote work career as an individual (writer, consultant, translator, etc), there are two initial obstacles to overcome. The first is the requirement of having or acquiring a talent/service that multiple clients are willing to pay for. The second is the need to gain influence in order to promote oneself. Proficiency in social media is essential for obtaining this valuable social proof, where the collective opinion of the masses affirms one’s excellence as a professional to collaborate with.
If a talented writer’s words are solely confined to their MacBook, their influence will be nonexistent. Should an inexperienced consultant flood their social media platforms with bad advice, their influence will be detrimental. To obtain remote work in a specific field, it is imperative to first guarantee your proficiency in that area, which can only be achieved through practice and experience.
Consider providing your services for no charge or at a discounted price (perhaps as a side job alongside your primary occupation) and refine your offering according to feedback from clients. Form a network of satisfied individuals who are willing to endorse you, and confidently seek referrals from them without hesitation.
Once you have built confidence in your skills, you can proceed to expand your audience and impact in the market. Take the time to gradually create an outstanding collection of work and focus on establishing a strong online presence on platforms that align with your goals. It is possible for anyone to establish a presence on social media, but it is important to avoid the temptation of solely seeking popularity and approval by pursuing excessive personal content.
Securing corporate remote jobs
When searching for corporate remote work, it is important to consider the nature of the role and the culture of the employer. Just because a job is advertised as remote, it does not guarantee a successful remote experience if the company and colleagues do not have a strong remote culture. Before accepting the role, it is important to inquire about remote on-boarding and use your judgement to assess if it is a good fit. Furthermore, remember that this role will be included on your resume, so it is crucial not to rush into it blindly.
There is a possibility that the company does not comprehend the specifics of remote work. Submitting a work from home resume for a job that is not explicitly stated as fully remote entails a certain level of uncertainty. It is advisable to initially send a regular resume and then assess the options once the employer shows interest.
When considering the implications of working remotely in a corporate setting, carefully consider every aspect of the role. Reflect on past experiences where you successfully worked independently and achieved results with a remote team, and ensure that your resume highlights the essential qualities required for remote work in a corporate environment.
To minimize any remote work-related concerns, present your work from home resume in a manner that instills confidence in potential employers. Explore remote job platforms like Flexjobs to find suitable opportunities. Although many individuals are currently working remotely, not all of them are achieving desired outcomes. Highlight your unique approach and demonstrate your ability to consistently deliver results.
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