Whether you want the freedom to travel the world or the ability to work from the comfort of your own home, remote jobs do exist, and the opportunities are only rising. These five simple steps will help get you prepared for the search ahead and land a remote job. 

Step 1: Dedicate yourself to the time and work it will take

Only YOU can find yourself a remote job. 

Finding a remote job is just like finding a “regular” job; no one’s going to magically email you an offer. You have to set yourself up for success from the get-go. This means carving out four-hour time blocks several days a week and consistently following through with your job search. Even as an established digital nomad, I still block my Saturday mornings. Only now it’s for personal and business development. Go into these personal working hours armed with a tall cup of coffee and feel-good Spotify playlist, the time flies by. Promise.

Create a method to the madness. 

Any job hunt can be a messy process. That’s why storing the details of every application you submit is crucial. The job tracker included in my free guide breaks down every category you need to record, including the name of the company, job description, hiring director, application date, and employment viability. This will be the key to staying organized and not get overwhelmed.

Research what opportunities are available and determine where you fit in.

Grab a notebook and write down the title, responsibilities, and required skills of the job you’re interested in. Circle the words that excite you and cross out the ones that make you feel less than thrilled. Once you’ve done this for a few different job listings, you’ll begin to recognize common threads and keywords. As a result, you’ll uncover the positions you gravitate toward, and the skills you may need to brush up on.

Step 2: Understand your goals

Where do you want to be in your career right now?

Accepting a remote job doesn’t mean your career growth will fall flat. You can still climb the ladder in your field; it will just be in a non-traditional way. There will be no office politics to combat against—success will depend solely on your ambition to improve. Building your own business and becoming a CEO is still very much in the cards.

Where do you see yourself in one year from now? 

The beauty of this process is that it’s completely developmental. Not only will it force you to focus on your future wants and needs, it will also force you to reflect on your past. The more you search, the closer you’ll come to forming a clear understanding of your answer. Additionally, a year from now you’ll love to look back and see how far you’ve come from this moment.

Where would you like your office to be? 

This is a loaded question, I know. Use your notebook to brainstorm. Write down climates, continents, living styles—the more detailed, the better. Also, be sure to download my bucket-list guide to success, it has everything you need. Rather draw your ideal space? Cut out images in a magazine? Go for it! Allow yourself the freedom to create an ever-evolving vision board that will help guide you toward your next destination. 

Step 3: Realize your routine is going to change with a remote job

Day-to-day tasks are going to operate differently. 

Prepare yourself to leave all things in-person behind. Your computer and phone will hold the key to everything you do. One of the biggest misconceptions is that remote jobs aren’t possible for people who are teachers, doctors, and so on. But as my free guide explains, technology has brought us a long way, and remote jobs are possible in some of the most hands-on industries. 

Learn how to manage your time.

Once you fit your job search into your weekly schedule, build good habits that you’re going to keep. As a remote worker you have to be self-disciplined and be impeccable with time management. This will make or break you as to how successful you’ll be at remote work while balancing your everyday life. Take a look at why managing your time is the key to success.

More opportunities are going to present themselves. 

Job searches are often heavily based on location and office culture. When those two qualifiers become obsolete, it allows other opportunities to present themselves. For example, take on a part-time job, begin freelancing, or even start your own business. Remember, nothing is permanent. Take this time to evaluate what is and isn’t for you by testing every opportunity that intrigues you. 

Step 4: Demonstrate that you are capable of what it takes

Have a few trial run clients

Offer your services to friends, family, businesses, and non-profits that may need your help. Whether you donate your time or offer them a discount, this will be a great first step in working with clients. Plus, you can really understand what types of products people need and what their pain points are. 

Create a portfolio showcasing your independent work. 

If you prefer to be your own client then create something just for you. This is a great way to build your portfolio exactly how you want it that shows off your expertise. Be careful though, it can be hard to stay focused when it’s a project for yourself. Make sure you give yourself guidelines and a schedule as if you really were a client. 

Step 5: Remain patient with the process

Progress doesn’t happen overnight. 

This may be the first time in your life you are doing something career-related without having been asked by a boss or given a deadline. As intimidating as it may sound, your success depends solely on you. 

To be successful, you need to focus on improving your drive, time-management, and self-discipline, as well as increasing your willingness to leave your comfort zone and make sacrifices. It’s survival of the fittest. Anyone has the ability to become location-independent, but not everyone has what it takes.

If you’re struggling to make progress, don’t hesitate to reach out. From going through the job hunt and revamping my online portfolio countless times. I know how time consuming and aggravating it can get while juggling everything else. “Making it” isn’t always as easy as it sounds.