I’ll be blunt here: looking for a job is a pain in the ASS.
Job boards, for remote workers and digital nomads especially, present a particular problem. Since many of us don’t actually care where our next prospective company is located, the “location” field on many job sites is… Irrelevant. Furthermore, many of these platforms don’t even have a “remote” option to begin with.
While networking is important (and in many cases, faster and more effective), online job boards are a great place for every jobseeker to start – not just the nomads among us.
When it comes to telecommute-friendly jobs, however, remote job boards are a great way of avoiding that awkward interview conversation and getting straight down to business. You know that every job you apply for will be location-independent, meaning you can focus on what’s important: the actual work.
I have also included a few “standard” job boards here… While finding remote positions on the likes of Indeed.com, its not impossible. I always try to keep this list up to date, so if you’ve got any suggestions… Feel free to shoot me an email.
The Best Job Boards for Remote Workers & Digital Nomads
These remote job boards focus primarily on full-time, permanent contracts. Location restrictions still apply: often, it is a case of legality and/or timezone. Those who will benefit the most from these platforms are remote workers living in the USA, Canada and possibly the UK. Before applying for a job, ALWAYS make sure to check the “location”. The good news is that more and more companies are opening up to applicants globally.
Not everyone wants to work a 9-to-5 (remote or otherwise). Some of us want to go our own way, so I’ve included some of the best freelance job boards out there. However, even full-time employees may want to start up a side gig and that’s where these platforms come in handy. Also, you never know – your source of side-income could lead to a full-time job in the future.
Believe it or not, standard job boards are also a good place to find both freelance and full-time remote positions. A company may not explicitly state that they hire people remotely, however it is worth asking somewhere along the line. If you don’t want to waste your time and are interested in only finding remote-first positions, simply search with the appropriate keyword (“remote”, “home-based” etc.).
Remote & Standard Job Boards: Things to keep in mind
The Internet has definitely made it easier for anyone to apply for a job. All you have to do is write a short cover letter, upload your CV and send it to whomever it may concern. Seems easy, doesn’t it? That’s very much the problem – the vast majority of job applications all look the same.
This is a problem of all job boards and sites online. With so many applicants, the competition is fierce. HR professionals are inundated with CVs and emails, often taking weeks or even months to respond to any one applicant. This is why so many opt for an auto-response, which not every jobseeker views favourably.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. When looking for a remote job online, always make sure to consider the following:
You are nothing special
At least, you don’t appear to be. The truth is that everyone has a unique perspective and set of skills that companies are crying out for. The downside is that crafting an outstanding and persuasive job application is incredibly difficult to do.
When writing a cover letter, it is up to you to make yourself shine and stand out. Don’t just tell employers you are something special – show them!
For remote jobs, competition is fierce
I mean it is insane. Remote job boards are incredibly useful – but that means you are now competing with thousands of others across the globe. While this may seem discouraging, it means that your cover letter is even more important. If anything, it may be even more important than your CV!
As a remote worker, you should have a solid online presence
Have a website, have a blog – content marketing 101 (even if you’re not a content marketer). From there, expand into social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram… Now, you don’t have to be posting 24/7 and you don’t have to use every social media channel.
Note: I mainly use LinkedIn and Xing for my professional activities. My Facebook is private and I hate taking photos, so I don’t use Instagram. I’m VERY selective about Twitter.
Build your network and keep it strong
Keep in touch with former colleagues. Go to networking events – meet people, connect online and foster relationships. Job boards are not the be-all and end-all: if anything, they’re only an aid to finding the next step in your career. Your network is what will propel you into the future.
