You might think it is challenging to land a remote job in the United States if you live in another country. However, in reality, getting a remote job is simple as long as you know where to look and how to ace the interview process. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to connect with others around the world. Many companies are taking advantage of this and diversifying their teams by hiring remote workers in various fields.
samui / ShutterstockWhere to Find a Job
When you’re looking for a remote job, there are two great places to start.
The Best Websites for Remote Job Searches
First, you can check out websites that feature listings for remote jobs. Some of the best include:
Working Nomads
Working Nomads curates the top digital jobs for people who are in search of a new telecommuting career. This free job board features a multitude of categories, including marketing, writing, human resources, and customer success.1
We Work Remotely
The largest remote work community in the world, We Work Remotely is free and features jobs in programming, design, sales, and marketing, among other categories.2
Jobspresso
Jobspresso is a free, expertly curated remote job board. It mainly consists of jobs in tech, marketing, and customer support.3
Remote.co
Unlike the others websites listed, Remote.co has additional resources for remote workers on top of the job board. It’s free and is frequently updated with new jobs in a variety of fields.4
FlexJobs
FlexJobs has been the number one job site to find flexible job opportunities and remote positions since 2007.5 Although FlexJobs requires a paid membership that costs $14.95 per month, it receives excellent reviews from its users and is generally considered to be well worth the cost.6
The Best Companies That Offer Remote Positions
Second, you can directly apply to companies that offer remote positions. According to The Muse, the best companies that offer remote work are:
- HP;
- MediaCom;
- Taboola;
- BlackRock;
- Facebook;
- Intel;
- Vrbo;
- Guidewire;
- Audible;
- Asana;
- Andela;
- Atlassian;
- Udemy;
- GLG, and;
- Hudson River Trading.7
How to Apply
When you’re applying for a remote job, you’ll want to tailor your resume and cover letter to reflect any previous remote experience. If you’ve worked remotely in the past, you’ll want to list the location of your job as “virtual”, so the hiring manager sees that you have experience with this type of job. It’s also a good idea to use the words “remote” and “virtual” on your LinkedIn profile, application, and resume.
When working on your cover letter and resume, first explain the type of remote work that you’ve done in the past. Next, detail the ways you benefited the companies you’ve worked for remotely. Finally, explain why you’re interested and eager to take on other remote opportunities.
Aside from detailing your previous remote work experience, it’s also important to talk about your ability to work on diverse teams. This is often a component of working remotely, so highlighting your collaboration skills and ability to work with a variety of people will show hiring managers that you have the skillset they’re looking for.
Most remote jobs require soft skills like:
- Reliability;
- Communication (particularly written communication);
- Conflict resolution;
- Independence;
- Initiative, and;
- Organization.
So, it’s wise to work some of these into your resume and cover letter when applying for remote positions.
Lastly, if you’ve ever worked with Google Docs, Google Meet, Trello, Slack, Zoom, or other similar applications, be sure to mention your experience in your resume and cover letter. Hiring managers for remote positions often prefer applicants who have experience using these virtual forms of collaboration and communication.8
The Interview Process
In order to land a remote job, you’ll need to be fully prepared to shine in the interview process.
It all starts with scheduling the interview, which will likely be virtual. In your communication, avoid joking around or using sarcasm. Instead, remain clear and concise to minimize the chance of miscommunication.
Next, be sure to talk about time zones, so both parties are clear on when you’re going to complete the interview. It’s also smart to be proactive and suggest multiple ways to meet. For example, you could provide your phone number, email address, and Zoom ID.
Once you’ve scheduled the interview, you’ll need to prepare your space to look clean and well-lit. Check your appearance — just because the interview is virtual doesn’t mean you don’t need to look professional — and make sure that your camera and microphone are working properly. Ensure any updates on your computer are completed as well, so they don’t begin automatically in the middle of your interview.9
What the Interviewer Is Looking For
Most people looking to hire someone for a remote position want to see these qualities in their ideal candidate:
- A commitment to transparency when it comes to sharing work;
- Effective written and oral communication;
- Strong autonomy and independence;
- A good sense of self-awareness;
- Resourcefulness and problem-solving skills;
- Humility, and;
- An appreciation for shared accomplishments.10
Common Interview Questions
Here are several questions you should be prepared to answer during your interview:
- What has been your favorite work project?
- What’s the most challenging non-technical problem you’ve had to solve at work?
- How do you manage your time in order to meet deadlines?
- Have you worked remotely in the past?
- What is your approach to maintaining effective communication and collaboration with a remote team?
- How do you stay organized while working remotely?
- What types of team tools and software have you used in the past?
- How do you keep yourself engaged and motivated when working remotely?
- Has there ever been a time when you weren’t sure how to do something? How did you go about obtaining the information you needed?
- Do you have any questions for me?
When asked if you have any questions, be sure to ask things that relate specifically to remote work. However, try to avoid making it seem like you only want the position because it’s remote. Your motivation in looking for a remote job should be the ability to maximize your potential, while finding a beneficial balance between your work and home life.11
Main Takeaways
Finding a remote job in the United States can be quite easy as long as you know the basics of the process. You can begin by checking out online remote job boards or looking into the top companies that offer remote positions. Of course, remember to adjust your resume and cover letter accordingly, emphasizing your past experience in remote or virtual positions.
Once you’ve set up an interview, it’s time to double-check your technology to be sure everything is working properly. Be sure to take some time to understand what hiring managers are looking for, as well as to prepare for the most common interview questions.
If you’re well-prepared, chances are it won’t be long before you’re hired for the remote position you’ve been dreaming of.
