How to find a remote job
Oct 13, 2022
One of the many changes the pandemic brought into the world is how and where we work. Since June 2021, more than 30% of Canadians have been working remotely and the number is growing.
For the most part, people love remote work. It brings flexibility. It brings work-life balance. And according to new research, remote work accounts for 15% of all high-paying jobs.
If you want to work from home, you can make it happen.
Filtering job boards
You can look for remote work on job-hunting websites the same way you look for specific positions, locations, and salaries – filters.
The simplest way to start is to begin every search with the word “remote” or “hybrid” to manually filter by word association.
Or you can choose the specific filter during your initial search.
Source: LinkedIn “Remote Engineer Ottawa” Search
This is possible on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, or any other popular job-hunting platform. Remote work has become crucial to the way we work, so companies are making it easier for job-seekers to find those opportunities.
Websites advertising remote work
Some job hunting websites are dedicated to remote work. Whether it is freelancing opportunities or contract and permanent work dedicated to telecommuting, these websites will introduce you to companies who work over VPN.
Just Remote also gives you the opportunity to find jobs that are not over-advertised. By joining Power Search for $6, you have a better chance of being selected for the role you want.
If you can do without, the rest of the site is free to use.
With a free sign-up, you will receive personalized and privatized job searches. You can see everything from the company’s salary and stock options and apply directly to each job posting.
You can go to the website to find the jobs or you can wait for the jobs to come to you. Sign up for Working Nomad’s newsletter and get ready for a curated list of remote jobs to be delivered to your inbox – daily or weekly, depending on your preference.
Source: Working Nomads Canada postings
This website is for job seekers and talent seekers alike. When you create your profile and browse for jobs, there will be a recruiter or manager on the other side of the computer looking for you to fill the role.
Pangian hosts a remote community, bridging companies that work exclusively remotely with people who also want to work from home. Serving candidates and companies in need, the website also features community resources about remote work training, launching a business, and other career-building assistance.
With more than 2.5 million visitors every month, this website is used by Google, Amazon, and other tech giants seeking talent to work remotely.
You can also check out their list of the top 100 remote companies hiring.
On Jobspresso, you can search for jobs around the world and post your resume for companies to reach out to you first.
Source: Jobspresso
The company provides resume services and a career advice blog for you to access before you begin searching for telecommuting and remote work opportunities across over 40 job categories.
Filter your search between full-time work and freelance opportunities to fulfill from the comfort of your home.
This company also has a focus on designers, giving employers an opportunity to scout designers and giving job hunters an opportunity to showcase their work, draw inspiration, and even learn design to be hired later.
Upwork emphasizes freelance and contract work. Create a profile, find jobs, submit a proposal, get your contract, complete your work, and get paid – all remotely of course.
Finding work on this website can be filtered by skill – from audio editor to grant writer, webflow developer, to industrial designer.
You can also promote your work on the website so clients can reach out to you.
This website also provides career advice, access to work events and webinars, and connects you with companies around the globe.
Source: flexjobs homepage
Specific to developers, arc offers remote engineering jobs, internships, and entry-level opportunities from over 1500 companies. You can also filter your search according to company size.
Remotive gives you access to remote tech jobs around the world. Filter by country, tech category, and posting date to find the tech company for you.
As the company name says, SkipTheDrive offers remote work opportunities among Fortune 500 companies, start-up, and reputable organizations.
Browse jobs by category from sales and recruitment to project management and human resources.
Companies like Amazon, GitHub, Stripe, and Shopify are among some of the companies that trust Remote OK to connect them with great remote talent.
They also have an exciting partnership coming soon through Nomad Health that includes providing freelance workers with health insurance in over 185 countries.
Source: Remote OK Canada postings
Choose between customer service, sales and marketing, business, administrative support, content writing, web development, and more. Outsourcely provides job-hunters from employer postings for full- and part-time remote roles.
This company focuses on remote tech jobs to boost your career. On top of a job board, Landing.Jobs offers remote work support such as payment solution support, information on relocation, and visa guides.
Remote has 100% remote job opportunities and a newsletter to send opportunities to you on a regular basis.
Source: Remote.co Search
With over 1800 companies posting over 200 new remote jobs daily, Career Vault will give you a wide variety of remote roles to choose from and apply directly for.
Reach out to your network
Never underestimate the power of asking another professional if they know of any opportunities. This is why your industry network exists.
Send a message to former colleagues. Email past recruiters and hiring managers. Write a status on LinkedIn.
When you do, make sure to include how much remote work has not only helped your productivity, but given you the necessary work-life balance to put your best foot forward at work for sustainable efficiency.
Let your network know that if they vouch for you, they won’t have to worry about you dropping the ball and making them look bad.
Contact specialized recruiters
Talent recruiting firms have recruiters who are tapped into job opportunities in any given area – that include remote work.
If you register with a company like Robert Half and you will have the free service of a recruiter learning about your talent and experience, tracking down remote options, and vouching for you among hiring managers.
Negotiating remote work during an interview
If you don’t have luck with the remote work job boards, don’t give up hope just yet.
An estimated 40% of jobs can be done remotely – so why can’t it be yours?
Where we work has become a necessary part of the interview and job offer process, the same way compensation has. It’s all negotiable.
If a job is not advertised as remote, you can still raise the option to the hiring managers. Don’t forget about hybrid work too. Maybe you want to be at home five days a week, but the manager isn’t convinced it’s the best idea – aim for the next best thing and try to get one or two days in the office to meet them in the middle.
Here’s how:
Research the company’s work options
You should go into any interview knowing as much as you can about the company. That includes if employees work in the office, in shared work spaces, or from the comfort of their home.
See if the job posting mentions remote or hybrid work. Try the company website and see what they have to say about their company culture. If their policy does not show up on the website, it does not mean all hope is lost.
Go to the company’s LinkedIn page and choose an employee to ask. Frame the conversation like any other introduction, getting to know them and how they like their job. When you’re asking what the company is like, ask if they support remote work options.
Asking during the interview
Remote work options fall under company culture, so asking about hybrid work options is appropriate when it’s your turn to ask the questions. There are a number of direct and indirect ways to ask if you can work from home:
- Does this company support remote work?
- Can this position be fulfilled remotely?
- Are there hybrid work options for this position?
- Will other members of the team be in the office every day, or will some work remotely?
- How many times a week are employees expected to work in the office?
Depending on how well you are performing during the interview, you can use the same tactics to secure remote work as an employee convincing management at their current job. Discuss benefits and address concerns, and see if your future company is willing to meet you half-way.
Ask your current job about remote work options
If you are currently employed and you want remote work, look no further than your own workplace. While some management teams have asked employees to go back to the office, you would be surprised how understanding some can be if you make a good case for remote work.
You don’t have to leave your job just because you want flexibility. Here’s how to convince your boss.
Write a proposal
Working from home requires trust, so you should approach your manager in a professional manner to show them you are taking remote work seriously.
If you’re proposing a hybrid model, outline the days you will work at home compared to the days you will come into the office. If you want to become fully remote, detail the hours you will be online. Include how you can be contacted and how you will be available in case of tight deadlines, whether that is an email, direct message, or phone call away.
Share the benefits of remote work
Your proposal is also a good time to take advantage of your company culture. Does it prioritize innovation? Does it elevate employee well-being? Or is profit and output the end-all, be-all?
All of these can work to your advantage.
Tell your manager that remote work has been proven to increase productivity up to 77%. Discuss how distractions in the office affect 75% of people and that because of commute-related stress, 71% of people like working from home.
As mental health in the workplace continues bridging the gap between employee needs and company goals, it could be the way to seal the deal on hybrid work options.
This is also an opportunity to provide examples that are specific to you. Highlight projects you completed with great results while working remotely. Tell your manager about the improvements you have seen in your focus and mental wellbeing.
Address concerns
Transparency is key. Acknowledging the reasons why companies want their employees in the office rather than working at home can help you win your manager over.
Working through tech issues like having the appropriate equipment and secured virtual private network options will show your manager that you are doing your best to stay connected to office life.
Offer to have daily huddles with your manager or team over phone or video to maintain workflow and your duties. These progress reports can ensure everyone is on the same page about the day’s tasks.
If your manager worries about collaboration issues or team morale, suggest having one meeting a week where everyone can voice their concerns about work or discuss what is going on in their lives.
Working at home does not mean you stop talking to your colleagues. Team-building isn’t lost just because employees are telecommuting.